The state budget must be finalized soon or the current Conference Committee members should be replaced with legislators who can reach a compromise, according to state Senator Frank Boyle, D-Superior.

Boyle said he will introduce legislation next week to disband the current Conference Committee and bring in new members to resolve the budget impasse.

Boyle said he will also introduce a second proposal next week to bring an outside negotiator into the budget process to help ensure an agreement is reached.

The Republican-controlled state Assembly and the Democratic controlled state Senate have been unable to compromise on the budget since July.

Boyle said he was frustrated with the current leadership on the Conference Committee and that his constituents were “unanimous” in their disapproval on the budget impasse.

“This is the greatest do-nothing legislative session I’ve ever seen,” Boyle said.

Boyle said he did not consult with the Democratic leadership in either house before preparing his two proposals.

“I only speak for myself,” Boyle said.

Jim Bender, communications director for Assembly Majority Leader Jeff Fitzgerald, R-Horicon, said there was no similar plan to replace Conference Committee members among Assembly Republicans.

The current legislative gridlock is due to Senate Democrats who are unwilling to compromise on tax increases according to Bender.

Bender said Boyle needs to “talk with his own party” rather than introduce the meaningless proposals.

Josh Wescott, communications director for Senate Majority Leader Judy Robson, D-Beloit, also said Boyle’s proposals are largely symbolic and won’t pass the Assembly.

Wescott said the budget negotiations are still ongoing, with “baby steps” being made on some issues.

“We want to get a budget done,” Wescott said.

Recent efforts by Assembly Republicans to pass small portions of the budget are not the answer because all parts of the budget interact with one another, according to Wescott.

Gov. Jim Doyle said he will not accept any partial budget bills, according to The Capital Times.