MADISON, WI (WHBL) - It has taken longer than most expected, but work could wrap up this week on the state’s next two-year budget. Both the state Assembly and Senate are scheduled to meet to finalize their work on the budget.
What do local legislators think of the budget? WHBL News reached out to the three that cover most of Sheboygan County.
State Senator Devin LeMahieu says the state budget process takes longer than the county budget process, but it was necessary given the importance of the budget and making sure enough people will support it.
"Building consensus, working with a lot of different moving parts, and you know you don’t always get what you want and everything but you try to make things the best, especially in your area of expertise," says LeMahieu.
LeMahieu says he did this by adding to the budget a provision to allow local governments to carry forward possible tax levy increases of up to five percent for five years.
Work continues on the state budget in Madison, and WHBL News has reached out to local legislators to hear their reaction to the process.
Assemblyman Terry Katsma says he is looking forward to working with fellow lawmakers on the budget. "We’ve listened to the people of Wisconsin and prioritized what’s important to our constituents across the state. We’re continuing prudent fiscal budgeting to spend within our state’s financial means."
The freshman legislator adds he likes the increased aid to public school districts, kept college tuition frozen, reduced the cuts and increased flexibility to the UW System, increased job training grants, protect long term and elderly care, and hold the line on property taxes.
WHBL News did reach out to Assemblyman Tyler Vorpagel, but our call had not been returned.