Gov. Jim Doyle met with legislative leaders to try to negotiate the state budget today, with the goal of trying to finish the state budget this week.
Doyle said at the press conference that he hoped both sides will continue to make compromises and that he is optimistic about the negotiations that will take place throughout the week.
I'm encouraged by the progress we have made on health care and education,"" Doyle said, referencing the Republican controlled Assembly's vote on an education bill and the Democrat controlled Senate dropping the Healthy Wisconsin proposal.
Doyle said he hoped an agreement could be finalized by Friday. State Superintendent Elizabeth Burmaster has previously stated that Friday is the last day for the state government to get information to K-12 schools on state funding levels.
If the budget is not finished by Friday, Assembly Republicans have stated that a $600 million property tax increase will result to pay for the K-12 schools lacking state funds.
Doyle said a formal agreement between leaders by Friday would allow schools to receive the state aid in time, even if the actual legislative process of approving the budget cannot be done by then.
Assembly Speaker Mike Huebsch, R-West Salem, said he was also optimistic about the upcoming negotiations. However, many of the issues disagreed on in earlier meetings still remain, according to Huebsch.
""It has come down from the beginning to the tax issue,"" Huebsch said.
No agreements or compromises were announced as of press time.
State Senate Majority Leader Judy Robson, D-Beloit, said the decision to drop the universal health care proposal Friday demonstrated the Senate Democrats' commitment to resolving the budget impasse.
Huebsch said he was unsure if Healthy Wisconsin is out of the budget, stating that he would not accept the alternative package offered by Democrats because it would cost $1 billion.
The Assembly proposal of passing separate funding bills for K-12 education was similarly rejected by Doyle. Doyle said passing such bills would lead to Wisconsin never having a set budget, but instead a continual series of spending bills like the U.S. Congress.
""It's not an option I'm ever going to agree with,"" Doyle said.
Huebsch said he wanted assurances from Doyle that if a budget is agreed upon that no unexpected vetoes be used. Doyle said he would not ""surprise"" either side with a veto.
