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PLEASANT PRAIRIE (WITI) -- Governor Scott Walker on Sunday, June 30th signed the 2013-15 state budget into law.
According to Gov. Walker's office, the $68 billion budget provides nearly $1 billion in tax relief for Wisconsin families, $322 million in additional state aid for public schools, and a $100 million investment in workforce development.
"This is a great budget, a great budget for the taxpayers -- the hard working taxpayers -- of the state of Wisconsin," Gov. Walker said Sunday.
The budget covers the state for the next two years, and institutes a handful of major policy changes in the state, including:
“This budget is a sharp contrast from where we were two years ago,” Governor Walker said. “Our structural reforms, coupled with tough, but prudent, decisions, have led to a great investment in the people of Wisconsin. This budget benefits hardworking Wisconsin families by providing them with nearly $1 billion in tax relief, $322 million more for our public schools, and $100 million for workforce development. We focused on making life better for the residents of our state, and this budget builds upon a solid foundation for the future. We’re heading in the right direction and moving Wisconsin forward.”
Gov. Walker's office says:
Governor Walker signed the 2013-15 State Budget at Catalyst Exhibits in Pleasant Prairie.
In 2011, Catalyst Exhibits announced it was relocating its operations from Crystal Lake, Illinois to Pleasant Prairie, bringing over 100 jobs and millions of dollars of investment to Wisconsin.
The 1,500 page budget bill contained several provisions that Gov. Walker considered vetoing.
"There are 57 vetoes I've issued as part of this budget," Gov. Walker said.
Two of those in particular went against the wishes of some staunch conservatives. First, a provision that would have allowed the bail bonds business, or bounty hunters, in Wisconsin. With Gov. Walker's veto, they will not be able to set up shop in the state.
Gov. Walker also vetoed a measure that would have kicked the Center for Investigative Journalism off the UW campus -- so it stays on campus for now.
The Republican Party of Wisconsin released the following statement after the budget was signed into law:
Meanwhile, Assembly Democratic Leader Peter Barca (D-Kenosha) released the following statement:
Meanwhile, Assembly Democratic Caucus Chair and State Representative Andy Jorgensen (D-Fort Atkinson) released this statement following the budget signing:
Now that the budget has been signed, the debate continues over who benefits in the next two-year budget.
"As a whole, it's still a bad budget for the middle class," Sen. Chris Larson (D - Milwaukee) said.
"Absolutely not. It couldn't be more pro-middle class," Sen. Alberta Darling (R - River Hills) said.
The 2013-15 State Budget will go into effect in the next fiscal year, beginning Monday, July 1.