Republican senators discussing Bucks arena, prevailing wage

MADISON — Republican state senators are meeting behind closed doors to talk about the three main issues that have held up passage of a Wisconsin state budget for the past month.

State Sen. Paul Farrow said Tuesday that senators planned to talk about roads funding, changes to the prevailing wage and the $500 million Milwaukee Bucks stadium plan.

Senators were meeting in private with members of the Legislature's Fiscal Bureau, which analyzes budget proposals.

Tuesday was the last day of the fiscal year, but unlike the federal government and other states, Wisconsin will not shut down on Wednesday without a new spending plan. Current spending levels continue.

Farrow says he is optimistic that he will vote on a budget before he leaves the Senate on July 17.