February 20, 2023 at 11:56 a.m.
Evers's budget would increase state spending by nearly 24%
Proposed budget barrels past $100 billion in expenditures
If the two-year budget is enacted as is - it won't be, given solid Republican majorities in both chambers - state government spending would increase by almost 24 percent. Specifically, the state would spend $103.8 billion over the next two years, with total spending increasing 23.5 percent from $84 billion in spending in the 2021-23 biennial budget.
The Evers administration would add 817 new positions to the state government payroll, though only 368 would be paid by state dollars. There would be 80 new positions at the Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) to help resolve a massive occupational licensing backlog at the agency, as well as 51 new assistant district attorneys.
The governor wants to cut taxes for middle and lower-income taxpayers - he proposes a 10 percent tax cut for single individuals earning up to $100,000 and couples earning up to $150,000 - but would compensate by raising taxes on manufacturers and on realized capital gains.
Overall, Evers would cut taxes by $81 million over the biennium.
The governor is also proposing a new paid family leave program for most public and private-sector workers, $290 million for repairs and renovations to American Family Field in Milwaukee to keep the Milwaukee Brewers in the stadium until 2043, and $2.6 billion more for public schools.
Before the address, Evers had already announced a plan to give 20 percent of the state sales tax revenue to local governments through shared revenue, and he has also proposed almost $175 million to support renters, including free legal assistance for low-income renters.
The governor would also set aside $60 million for roundabouts and other elements related to slowing vehicular speed.
Reaction: Governor is dreaming
State Rep. Rob Swearingen (R-Rhinelander) called Evers's budget nothing more than a rerun of a liberal wish list of ideas that he knows are non-starters.
"After listening to his address, it's clear that he is still the same disingenuous tax-and-spend governor from the past four years," Swearingen said. "Wisconsinites do not want a 24-percent state spending increase and over 800 new state employees. On top of that, the governor's only proposed solution to the extreme dysfunction of agencies like DSPS is to throw more money and expand unaccountable bureaucracy to unprecedented levels."
State Rep. Calvin Callahan (R-Tomahawk) said the governor was well aware that many of his proposals would have no merit in the GOP-controlled legislature.
"Yet he chose to propose them anyway," Callahan said. "I've been optimistic about the opportunity to work together with the governor on things we can find common ground on, such as mental health, local transportation funding, and broadband expansion, and I will continue to leave my door open for discussion on those items. However, I'm disappointed by the opportunity he missed at showing the legislature he is willing to work with us on crafting a realistic budget that benefits all Wisconsinites - not just those in Madison and Milwaukee."
State Rep. Rachael Cabral-Guevara (R-Appleton) said she couldn't support the budget as written.
"While there may be some areas we can work with the governor on, including mental health and workforce issues, I will not vote for a budget that raises taxes and recklessly spends taxpayer money," Cabral-Guevara said. "I do find it encouraging that Evers is suddenly interested in building out the health care workforce after vetoing legislation last session that would have attracted more health care professionals, including nurses, to Wisconsin."
While Evers put forward a proposal to raise taxes by more than $1 billion, Cabral-Guevara said, legislative Republicans have committed to reducing taxes in the upcoming budget.
"I fully intend to fight for tax cuts across the board and return money to hardworking taxpayers," she said. "The current surplus is a result of responsible budgeting by the legislature and we need to find ways we can return that money to hardworking Wisconsinites rather than growing government."
Additionally, Cabral-Guevara said, Evers's proposal included little investment in law enforcement or to give communities the tools they need to reduce violent crime.
"What especially concerned me was the meager support for our local law enforcement in his speech," she said. "With crime on the rise and Evers's refusal to fire district attorneys that refuse to do their job, it again comes back to the legislature to provide leadership on this issue."
Democrats praise visionary proposals
Democrats in the legislature were much more praiseworthy of this budget proposal than they were of Evers's previous proposals.
State Sen. Melissa Agard (D-Madison) and state Rep. Greta Neubauer (D-Racine) said they were particular pleased with the governor's plan to spend $340 million to provide a permanent investment in the "Child Care Counts: COVID-19 Stabilization Payment Program," which was created with federal dollars during the pandemic to support Wisconsin's early care and education community.
"Ensuring working families have access to quality child care at an affordable cost is critical to addressing Wisconsin's workforce needs," the two lawmakers said in a statement. "Unfortunately, we know that if the Child Care Counts program isn't extended, 25 percent of Wisconsin providers said that they would close permanently, 60 percent of providers indicated they would have to raise tuition, and others said they would have to cut wages for already underpaid workers. ...it is imperative that child care providers are supported and provided with the resources necessary to grow the future of Wisconsin."
Democratic Rep. Lee Snodgrass of Appleton said the governor showed he was a champion of middle and working class families and is making a historic investment in making sure day-to-day lives are easier and communities are safer. Rep. Kristina Shelton (D-Green Bay) said the proposed budget provides vital funding for the public education system.
"By meeting the needs of students, families, and teachers, we ensure our public schools remain the foundation for communities and civic engagement across the state," Shelton said. "The $2.6 billion is a historic investment in education, providing critical investments in special education, mental health, and literacy. I am ecstatic about the inclusion of the Healthy Meals, Healthy Kids program which will fully fund school breakfasts and lunches for all Wisconsin students. With our historic surplus, Gov. Evers's budget wisely puts education at the forefront of our priorities."
Sen. Lena Taylor (D-Milwaukee) said she had seen all kinds of budget addresses, from the good to the bad to the ugly.
"This budget was palatable and given a chance, Wisconsinites could see tangible improvements in their lives," Taylor said. "Both redress and growth are reflected in Gov. Evers' vision for state spending and investments."
Taylor said she appreciated the work to address issues raised by both Milwaukee County and city officials, stakeholders, and residents, and the governor had responded by offering redress for shared revenue, local sales tax options, and initiatives to improve rental unit safety.
"Evers also offered a view of what's possible," she said. "I was excited to see a proposal to bring more underserved groups into forestry and environmental education. For more than a decade, I've been telling anyone that would listen that there are end-jobs in agriculture for Milwaukee area residents. The budget didn't just address employment opportunities but also business ownership."
Richard Moore may be reached at richardd3d.substack.com.
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