Fiscal Bureau: Wisconsin Budget Deal Just Delays Problems

Budget Plan Goes To Assembly

POSTED: 7:50 pm CDT May 13, 2008

MADISON, Wis. -- The state Senate on Tuesday passed a budget-balancing plan that now goes to the state Assembly where a vote is expected Wednesday.

But the plant it will still leave the state nearly $1.7 billion short three years from now.

The nonpartisan legislative Fiscal Bureau informed Republican lawmakers about that shortfall in two separate briefings just before the Democratic-controlled Senate passed the bill on a 17-16 vote. All but one Democrat voted for the bill and all the Republicans voted against it.

Bob Lang of the Fiscal Bureau said that even if the bill becomes law, the state has committed to spending nearly $1.7 billion more than it expects to collect in taxes through June 2011.

Previous Stories:

May 13, 2008: State Senate To Vote On Budget Deal
May 12, 2008: State Lawmakers Reach Deal On $527M Budget Shortfall
May 9, 2008: Legislative Leaders Continue Budget Talks
May 8, 2008: Reality Check: Which Groups Spent Most On Lobbyists?
May 7, 2008: State Democratic Leader Pushes For Budget Deal
May 2, 2008: Budget Deal Still Eludes Governor, Legislators
May 1, 2008: Doyle, Legislative Leaders To Meet Thursday
April 28, 2008: Spokeswoman: State Lawmakers 'Pretty Close' On Budget Deal