JFC Action on the 2023-25 State Budget

Executive Budget - All Agencies
Removal of items from consideration

To kick off the executive session, Republicans on the Joint Finance Committee introduced Motion #10, seeking to remove 545 items from the Governor's budget proposal. The items targeted for removal encompassed a wide range of issues, including Medicaid expansion, paid family leave, insulin co-pay caps, marijuana legalization, a $235 million mental health initiative for schools, and the restoration of public sector union rights lost under Act 10.

In response, JFC Democrats put forth Motion #14, attempting to reintroduce 543 of the removed items for budgetary consideration. However, this motion failed, with the vote split along party lines at 4-12. The Republican-led Motion #10 ultimately passed with the same vote count, removing the 545 items from the budget.

The committee then considered a substitute amendment to the budget proposal, with Motion #21 introducing an adjusted base by unanimous consent. JFC Democrats countered with Motion #19, aiming to preserve the Governor's public school funding proposal of $2.6 billion, which included special education funding. Unfortunately, the amendment was struck down with another 4-12 party-line vote. Motion #20, adopting the substitute amendment to the budget proposal, passed with the same vote count.

Lastly, the committee discussed standard budget adjustments and sum sufficient appropriations. JFC Democrats introduced Motion #15, which proposed adopting these adjustments based on the Department of Administration's (DOA) estimate of a 3% staff turnover. This motion failed along party lines at 4-12. Republicans countered with Motion #12, incorporating the standard budget adjustments and other financial estimates into the substitute amendment while basing the calculation on an estimated staff turnover of 5% instead of the initial 3%. It passed again along party lines.

May 16^th Executive Session Budget Sections:
Circuit Courts
Supreme Courts
District Attorneys
Public Defenders

Circuit Courts and Supreme Court
Democrats offered Motion #46 which increased funding for Digital Audio Recording Devices above the Governor’s proposal. Additionally, it would have matched the Governor’s proposed budget for Circuit Court Payments, Cybersecurity Program Funding, and County Law Libraries.

Republicans offered Motion #47 which mirrored many items from the Governor’s proposed budget, but left out over $1.5 million over the biennium for Digital Audio Recording Devices for circuit courts, and funding for County Law Libraries.

The Democratic motion failed on party lines 4-12. Republican Motion #47 passed unanimously 16-0, with Democrats joining in passage.

District Attorneys and Public Defenders
Democrats offered Motion #48, which largely mirrored the Governor’s proposed budget. Some changes include funding for District Attorney Turnover and District Attorney Supplies and Services at funding levels above the Governor’s proposal.

Republicans offered Motion #49 to provide an hourly increase of $8.76/hour for public attorneys, bumping the minimum hourly to ~$36/hour, while removing the maximum cap. Private bar reimbursement rates are also increased to $100/hour and to $50/hour for travel. The motion also included more GPR prosecutor positions in various counties, funding for supplies and services for DA’s, and an extension for the sunset date for the Child in Need of Protection (CHIPS) pilot program.

The Democratic motion failed on party lines 4-12. Republican Motion #49 passed unanimously 16-0, with Democrats joining Republicans in passage. Democrats voted for the majority motions today in order to show bipartisan support for funding the Governor’s priorities in these areas, especially guaranteeing that District Attorneys and State Public Defenders would see pay and funding increases.

May 18th Agencies Exec’d: 

Agriculture, Trade, & Consumer Protection

Environmental Improvement Fund

Natural Resources 

All items of the agencies listed above have been addressed through today’s motions and are therefore closed. 

Actions by Agency

Agriculture, Trade, & Consumer Protection

Democrats moved Motion #50: Minority Omnibus Motion - DATCP. Not adopted, 4-11 (Goyke, McGuire, Johnson, Roys)

Republicans moved Motion #52: Majority Omnibus Motion - DATCP. Adopted, 11-4 (Born, Marklein)

The Democratic motion supported large investments by Governor Evers in agricultural assistance and environmental programs, including $34 million over the biennium for food security programs. These grants support food assistance organizations and nonprofits with the purchasing of food from Wisconsin farms, food processors and manufacturers, food retailers, and food distribution businesses. This was the focus of comments in committee by JFC Democrats.

The Republican motion failed to meet this investment and only provided $3 million over the biennium on a one-time basis for food security programs. 

Environmental Improvement Fund & Natural Resources

Democrats moved Motion #53: Natural Resources and Environmental Improvement Fund. Not adopted, 4-11 (Goyke, McGuire, Johnson, Roys)

Republicans moved Motion #54 (with amendment) that was adopted 11-4 along party lines.

Waste, Remediation, & Air 

On PFAS, the GOP motion creates a new segregated PFAS Trust Fund at $125 million ($110 million GPR and $15 million environmental management SEG). The trust fund requires a bill to be enacted to authorize spending from the fund, or 13.10 action by JFC. Earlier this week Sen. Wimberger & Rep. Mursau introduced a “policy only” bill on PFAS. This is a continuation of a trend this session of separating policy and funding to avoid gubernatorial line item veto authority. The GOP motion did not address testing/standards for PFAS or authority for additional staff.

JFC Democrats matched the increased funding amount of $125 million for PFAS contamination. However, the funding in the Democratic motion would be available immediately upon passage of the budget; it would not be dependent on future legislative action that may or may not happen. As Rep. McGuire highlighted in committee, there is a “a need for speed” to get these dollars out and address PFAS contamination quickly.

Departmentwide

Democrats provided over $3 million in additional funding for LTE employee compensation to increase LTE salary allotments to meet market rates.

Republicans provided less funding for LTE employees with just over a $2 million investment. The Republican motion also included additional investments in ATV/UTV enforcement and project aids. Their motion also deleted 36.71 positions that have been vacant for over 18 months.

Parks

The Democratic motion mirrored the Governor’s budget with investments in park and forest development, along with funding for parks, forest, and riverway road development and maintenance. 

The GOP motion provided only one-time funding for these investments. Their motion also eliminated the 35% cap on the number of state parks campsites that may be electrified; increased the nonresident camping fee cap from $35 to $45; and provided earmarked park projects at Mirror Lake State Park, Amnicon & Pattison State Parks, and Lapham Peak Unit of Kettle Moraine State Forest.

Forestry and Stewardship 

Democrats advanced Governor Evers’ investment in urban forestry grants by $950,000 over the biennium and provided funding for county sustainable forestry, county forest administrator grants, and forestry public safety equipment.

The GOP motion increased funding for urban forestry grants by only $350,000 over the biennium; allocated less funding for county forest administrator grants and provided $950,000 to acquire and upgrade fire suppression equipment. 

Fish, Wildlife, and Natural Heritage Conservation

The Democratic motion increased the nonresident deer hunting license fee by $25, the inland waters trout stamp fee by $5, and provided one-time funding to refurbish DNR great lakes research vessels. All of these items were in Governor Evers’ budget request. 

The GOP motion increases the nonresident deer hunting license fee by $40. The motion also increased the nonresident conservation patron and nonresident sports license fees by $20. In addition, the GOP motion increased a number of nonresident license fees by $5.

Law Enforcement 

The Democratic motion included $390,900 for law enforcement equipment for DNR wardens, which included AEDs, body cameras, and tasers. 

The GOP motion funded law enforcement equipment for DNR wardens, which included AEDs and tasers, but did not include funding for body cameras. 

Water Quality 

The Democratic motion provided $1 million GPR for the well compensation grant program, $11 million in bonding authority for the urban nonpoint and municipal flood control programs, and $10 million in bonding authority rural nonpoint source water pollution abatement.

The GOP motion sets aside $1 million to the JFC supplemental fund for the well compensation grant program, provides $4 million GPR for urban nonpoint source and municipal flood control grants; $6.5 million GPR for rural nonpoint source water pollution abatement grants; and more than $5 million for several dam project earmarks.

Actions by Agency

Workforce Development

Democrats moved Motion #58: Minority Omnibus Motion - Workforce Development. Ruled out of order.

Democrats moved Motion #56: Minority Omnibus Motion - Workforce Development. Failed 4-12 (Johnson, Roys, Goyke, McGuire).

Republicans moved Motion #61: Majority Omnibus Motion - 61. Adopted, 12-4 (Marklein, Born)

The Democratic motions supported investments by Governor Evers in Wisconsin’s workforce, a critical issue for the long term health and longevity of the state. Both Democratic motions awarded $1,000,000 GPR annually for the Fast Forward Grants for Wisconsin businesses that reimburse the costs of customized occupational training for unemployed, underemployed, and incumbent workers. Additionally, both Democratic motions moved to align federal re-estimates and provide $500,900 over the biennium and 3.0GPR positions for Substance Abuse Prevention on Public Works Projects.

Democratic Motion #58 also included a study requirement for the Department to retain an economist to study the economic benefit to Wisconsin of having paid family leave. Democratic Motion #58 was ruled out of order. Please see the MJS article for more information.

Republican Motion #61 not only failed to meet these investments, but also deleted 29.2 vacant positions at DWD, and reduced the Fast Forward Grant funding by $1,000,000 GPR annually. Funding for DWD’s Fast Forward program is now $5,250,000 annually, down from base of $6,250,000 annually. Additionally, the motion moved to align federal re-estimates; provided funding for Local Youth Apprenticeship, Career and Technical Education Incentive, and CDL Training Grants.

Insurance

Democrats moved Motion #62: Insurance. Not adopted, 4-12 (Johnson, Roys, Goyke, McGuire)

Republicans moved Motion #68: Insurance. Adopted 12-4 (Marklein, Born).

Democratic Motion #62 moved to fund Financial and Market Regulation Positions, Board on Aging and Long-Term Care Helpline Funding Transfers, Restore Funding for Agency Operations, and a Program Manager Position for the Wisconsin Healthcare Stability Plan.

The Republican motion failed to meet the same level of investments as the Democratic Motion and completely removed funding for the Program Manager Position for the Wisconsin Healthcare Stability Plan.

Veterans Affairs

Democrats moved Motion #63: Veterans Affairs. Not adopted, 4-12 (Johnson, Roys, Goyke, McGuire)

Republicans moved Motion #67: Veterans Affairs. Adopted 12-4 (Marklein, Born).

The Democratic motion supported large investments for Veterans Affairs, including funding and positions for the Veterans Outreach and Recovery Program, $10 million over the biennium for General Fund Transfers to State Veteran Homes, funding and positions to operate and maintain the Wisconsin Veterans Museum, Veterans Service Office Grants, funding for the Veterans Housing and Recovery Program, and funding and positions for State Veterans Cemetery Operations.

The GOP motion invested half the amount for transfers to State Veteran Homes, no funding for the Veterans Housing and Recovery Program (a program helping to house veterans) and no money for the Veterans Museum. Overall, the GOP motion invested far less for Veterans over the biennium than the Democratic motion.

Higher Educational Aids Board and Wisconsin Technical College System

Democrats moved Motion #59: Higher Educational Aids Board and Wisconsin Technical College System. Not adopted, 4-12 (Johnson, Roys, Goyke, McGuire)

Republicans moved Motion #66: Higher Educational Aids Board and Wisconsin Technical College System. Adopted 12-4 (Marklein, Born).

The Democratic motion supported large investments for Nurse Educators, IT Modernization and IT Personnel, Wisconsin Grants, and the John R. Justice Student Loan Repayment Program. The motion also included over $32 million GPR annually for general aid for tech colleges, funding for System Office General Operations, funding for Grants to District Boards, and funding to reimburse tech colleges for the costs of providing high schoolers dual enrollment courses related to healthcare.

The GOP motion failed to meet these investments and only provided a fraction of the funding for IT Modernization and IT Personnel, and a little over $9 million over the biennium for General Aid to tech colleges, $1 million for workforce advancement training grants, and $3 million for open educational resources.

May 25th Agencies Exec’d: 

Revenue

Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation

Employee Trust Funds

Miscellaneous Appropriations 

Actions by Agency:

Revenue

Democrats moved omnibus Motion 72 that would increase tax collection services,  amongst other provisions, convert 38 project positions to permanent positions, add 11 delinquent tax collection agents, add 7 statewide debt collection agents, fund the advanced technology system project, and transfer 6 positions to administrative services. The Democratic motion failed 4-12 along party lines.

Republicans moved omnibus Motion 74 that failed to increase the amount of debt collection agents, that return on investment an average of $1.8 million per agent. The motion reduced general program operations appropriations by nearly $400,000 in the state and local finance general program operations and nearly $1 million for administrative services. Further, the GOP motion would extend the expiration of 38 project positions by 3 months. The GOP motion passed 12-4 along party lines.

Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation

Democrats moved omnibus Motion 69 that would provide a $340 million increase in talent acquisition and retention initiatives, re-estimate the funding by $19 million for the WEDC appropriation for operations and programs, and require WEDC to allocate $500,000 for cooperative development activities in the state. The Democratic motion failed 4-12 along party lines.

Republicans moved omnibus Motion 76 that would re-estimate the WEDC funding to $19 million for operations and programs appropriation, $4 million requirement for the WEDC talent acquisition and retention initiatives, require a $2 million WEDC investment in a veterans talent attraction and retention initiatives, and prohibit WEDC to spend funds from appropriations for the vibrant spaces grant program. The GOP motion passed 12-4 along party lines.

Employee Trust Funds

Democrats moved omnibus Motion 73 that would send additional resources to the ETF to ensure that they are running effectively by adding $11 million for business processes and systems modernization, add $1.4 million for service support and financial functions, and provide expenditure authority for audits conducted by the Legislative Audit Bureau (LAB).  The Democratic motion failed 4-12 along party lines.

Republicans moved omnibus Motion 77 that would provide $11 million for business processes and systems modernization, $700,000 for service support and financial functions, and expenditure authority for audits conducted by the LAB. The GOP motion passed 12-4 along party lines.

Miscellaneous Appropriations

Democrats moved omnibus Motion 71 that would provide Wisconsin Eye with $10 million in one-time funding to cover the activities of state government. The motion specified that Wisconsin Eye must remove the paywall for accessing content, must make every reasonable effort to cover all legislative proceedings, and private funding is raised on a dollar-for-dollar basis. The Democratic motion failed 4-12 along party lines.

Republicans moved omnibus Motion 81 that allocated $10 million for one-time funding and contained the paywall removal requirement. State dollars are held in the Committee’s supplemental fund to be released presumably when private fundraising to match these dollars is completed.  The GOP motion unanimously passed 16-0.

Actions by Agency

Building Commission

Democrats advanced the entirety of the Governor’s 2023-2025 Recommended Capital Budget. Projects in this motion include the UW-Madison Engineering Building replacement, Milwaukee Iron District Soccer Stadium, and the UW-Lacrosse Prairie Springs Science Center. For a full list of projects found in the Governor’s 2023-2025 Recommended Capital Budget, please click HERE. To see Motion #82, please click HERE.

Republicans advanced Motion #87 that left out key investments in critical projects. Examples of projects left out by Republicans include the UW-Madison New Engineering Building, the Janesville Woodman’s Sports and Convention Center, the Bronzeville Center for the Arts - African American Art Center, repairs and replacements for the Wisconsin Veterans Home at King, the Milwaukee Iron District Soccer Stadium, UW-Lacrosse Prairie Springs Science Center, and the National Railroad Museum Expansion in Green Bay.

Public Service Commission

Democrats moved Motion #83: Minority Omnibus Motion - Public Service Commission. Failed 4-12 (Goyke, Johnson, Roys, McGuire).

Republicans moved Motion #85: Majority Omnibus Motion - Public Service Commission. Adopted, 12-4 (Marklein, Born)

The Democratic motion mirrored the Governor’s proposal by providing $750 million GPR in much needed for the state broadband expansion grant program, and $183,200 PR over the biennium with 1 position to support the administration of the broadband expansion grant program. The Democratic motion also provides $395,900 PR over the biennium with 2 positions to PSC for cybersecurity. Additionally, the motion provides $170,000 each year for the licensing of advanced engineering modeling software.

The Republican motion only provided $198,000 GPR over the biennium and 1 position for cybersecurity, and $170,000 PR for the licensing of advanced engineering modeling software. The Republican motion left out the key $750 million investment in the state broadband expansion grant program, failing to include any additional funding for broadband expansion grants.

Tourism

Democrats moved Motion #84: Tourism. Not adopted, 4-12 (Goyke, Johnson, Roys, McGuire)

Republicans moved Motion #86: Tourism. Adopted 12-4 (Marklein, Born).

Tourism: Marketing and Advertising Funds -

Democratic Motion #84 moved to provide $33,600,000 over the biennium for Tourism’s marketing appropriation for expanding marketing and advertising initiatives. Additionally, the motion included positions and funding for a consumer comms specialist, marketing coordinator, content marketing writer, and a social media assistant. The motion also provided additional operating funds for supplies and contracted services at the amount of $2,943,200 over the biennium.

Republican Motion #86 creates a continuing appropriation and provides $20,000,000 GPR in 23-24 for Tourism’s marketing activities, and provides an additional $1,000,000 each year for ongoing marketing funds. 

Tourism: Opportunity Attraction and Promotion Fund -

Democratic Motion #84 provided $30,000,000 for Tourism to market and attract major events to the state, along with authorizing 1 permanent position. It also earmarks $2,000,000 for supporting the 2025 NFL Draft in Green Bay.

Republican Motion #86 creates an Opportunity Attraction and Promotion Fund supported by a new continuing appropriation for attracting opportunities and events to the state under WEDC. Provides 10,000,000 GPR for the newly created committee.

Tourism: Meetings, Conventions, and Sports Bureau -

Democratic Motion #84 creates a Meetings, Conventions, and Sports Bureau and provides $2,666,800 over the biennium with 3 positions. It also deletes the Office of Marketing Services and transfers its 1 PR position and all related costs to Tourism’s GPR.

Republican Motion #86 deletes the Office of Marketing Services and transfers its 1 PR position and all related costs to Tourism’s GPR.

Tourism: Office of Outdoor Recreation -

Democratic Motion #84 provided over a million in GPR with 3 permanent positions for the Office of Outdoor Recreation.

Republican Motion #86 provides one-time funds of $237,000 in 2023-24 and 290,200 in 2024-25 with 3 two-year project positions for the Office of Outdoor Recreation.

Tourism: Arts Board Fund Matching -

Democratic Motion #84 provides $407,200 GPR to match federal grant awards in 2023-24, and $366,900 GPR to match estimated federal awards in 2025 fiscal year.

Republican Motion #86 provides $407,200 GPR to match federal grant awards in 2023-24, and provides $259,100 in 2024-25 as an ongoing base increase for state aid for the arts.

Republican motion #86 also includes a $2 million grant to Discover Green Bay and a $10 million grant to Visit Milwaukee.

June 8th Agencies Exec’d:

Department of Corrections

Department of Justice

Department of Safety & Professional Services

Department of Administration

Actions by Agency:

Department of Corrections

Democrats moved Motion 88 which would help to address the immediate challenge of staff vacancy rates by adding $47 million GPR annually, with $259,000 PR for an overtime supplement. The motion also included increased funding for Windows to Work and Opening Avenues to Reentry Success (OARS), two programs that provide reentry services. The motion failed 4-11 along party lines. 

Republicans moved Motion 90 which would only provide $15 million GPR annually for overtime payment for correctional officers and $325,500 PR for an overtime supplement. This motion also included $4 million for reentry centers, pending the passage of AB 183. The GOP motion passed 11-4 along party lines.

Note: wage increases for correctional officers will be taken up at a later date when the Committee addresses pay rates for all state employees.

Department of Justice

Democrats moved Motion 92 which would add 7.0 full-time flexible positions for the Department to use at its discretion. This motion also included continued funding for the Office of School Safety and $12.5 million in additional funding for Treatment Alternatives and Diversion (TAD). The Democratic motion failed 4-11 along party lines. 

Republicans moved Motion 93 which provided only $1 million GPR for TAD and no funding for the Office of School Safety. The GOP motion passed 11-4 along party lines.

A statement from AG Kaul can be found here.

Department of Safety & Professional Services

Democrats moved Motion 89 which would fund system platforms and equipment upgrades, add an additional 14.0 license/permit program associates, 1.0 paralegal, 14.0 call center staff, 9.0 board support staff, an additional 5.0 staff for interstate compact development and 1.0 records management supervisor. These positions would allow the Department to continue operating at current staffing levels. The Democratic motion failed 4-11 along party lines. 

Republicans moved Motion 94 which would add only 6.0 license program associates and remove unfilled positions. The other 8 positions added would only be temporary project positions. This total number of positions represent less than a fourth of what Governor Evers proposed in his budget. The GOP motion passed 11-4 along party lines. 

Department of Administration

Democrats moved Motion 96 to provide $5,000,000 GPR annually for the housing assistance program, $700,000 GPR annually for the state shelter subsidy grant program, and $600,000 GPR annually for housing navigation grants. The motion also would have invested in information technology, facilities, and tribal grants for educational and economic development programs. The Democratic motion failed 4-11 along party lines. 

Republicans moved Motion 98 which would not provide any housing-related funding or assistance for homeless individuals. The GOP motion passed 11-4 along party lines.

Bills Exec’d

SB 330 - Passed 11-3, Noes Sen. Roys, Rep. Goyke and McGuire; Excused Sen. Ballweg and Rep. Zimmerman.
SB 301 - Passed 10-4, Party line, Excused Sen. Ballweg and Rep. Zimmerman.
AB 245 - Passed 10-4, Party line, Excused Sen. Ballweg and Rep. Zimmerman.

June 1st Agencies Exec’d:

Department of Public Instruction
Department of Transportation
University of Wisconsin System (Removed from agenda)

Actions by Agency

Department of Public Instruction

Democrats moved Motion #101: Minority Omnibus Motion - Public Instruction. Not adopted, 4-11, Zimmerman absent (Johnson, Roys, Goyke, McGuire).

Republicans moved Motion #103: Minority Omnibus Motion - Public Instruction. Adopted 11-4, Zimmerman absent (Marklein, Born).

Democrats moved an omnibus motion that provided significant investments for public instruction that mirrored Governor Evers’ budget as introduced. This includes an over $1 billion increase over the biennium for general school aids, an over $1 billion increase over the biennium for special education categorical aid getting the state to 60% reimbursement for special education costs, an over $8 million increase for school breakfast reimbursement, bumping the per pupil aid to eventually reach over $800 per pupil by 2024-25, the establishment and funding for early literacy and reading improvement programs, and funding for various other items and programs.

Republicans moved an omnibus motion that mirrored provisions agreed to over the last week as part of the larger shared revenue deal. Their motion provided around $534 million over the biennium for general school aids, $50 million in supplemental appropriation for a literacy program linked to AB321, around $107 million to cover special education costs, an increase of $30 million over the biennium for school-based mental health services grants, and funding for various other items and programs.

Department of Transportation

Democrats moved Motion #100: Minority Omnibus Motion - Department of Transportation. Failed 4-11, Zimmerman absent (Goyke, Roys, Johnson, McGuire).

Republicans moved Motion #104: Majority Omnibus Motion - Department of Transportation. Adopted, 11-4, Zimmerman absent (Born, Marklein).

Democrats moved an omnibus that provided funding for transit programs for seniors and disabled individuals, $50 million annually in segregated fees for local roads improvement program, over $100 million over the biennium for the local bridge improvement assistance program, over $40 million for eligible electric vehicle infrastructure projects, over $115 million over the biennium for state highway rehabilitation, over $190 million over the biennium for southeastern Wisconsin freeway megaprojects, and more. Significantly, it also includes a 4% and 4% yearly increase for mass transit assistance across the state.

This is in stark contrast to the Republican omnibus that jeopardizes Wisconsin’s mass transit systems by removing their access to dedicated transportation funding. This comes at a time when countless Wisconsin residents rely on mass transit to commute to work and many transit systems are working hard to bounce back from pandemic related drops in mass transit usage. The GOP motion also includes an increase in the registration fee for electric vehicles of $75 bringing the fee to a total of $175.

June 15th Agencies Exec’d: 
Department of Children and Families
Department of Health Services
Department of Military Affairs

Actions by Agency:

Section 13.10 
The Department of Health Services requested approval of a plan for the expenditure of Wisconsin's share of funds to be received from proceedings under In re:  National Prescription Opiate Litigation, Case No:MDL 2804. 

Democrats moved adoption of Alternative 1, which would have approved the department’s proposal for allocation of $8.0 million dollars in settlement proceeds. The motion failed 4-11 along party lines. 

Republicans moved Motion #110  to allocate the same $8 million dollars requested for fentanyl strip and narcan distribution. $2.5 million of that would go to treatment room and board grants for substance use disorder. Finally, the GOP motion contained a $0.3 million grant to help train Wisconsin surgeons on practices to present abuse of prescription opioids following surgery. The motion passed 11-4 along party lines. 

 Department of Health Services

Democrats moved omnibus Motion #107 to increase Medicaid reimbursement rates, extend postpartum Medicaid eligibility, fund residential substance use disorder treatment room and board, cover a family care direct care and personal care reimbursement, and fund aging and disability resource centers. The Democratic motion also included multiple provisions to address mental health: funding of crisis urgent care and observation facilities, a suicide and crisis lifeline grant, mental health consultation program, and psychiatric residential treatment facility certification, and a focus on children’s mental health through a school-based mental health consultation program grant. The motion failed 4-11 along party lines. 

Republicans moved omnibus Motion #109 which contained a prohibition on MA payment for puberty-blocking drugs or gender reassignment surgery and failed to include the postpartum Medicaid eligibility expansion. The standalone bill to extend postpartum Medicaid currently has 49 Assembly co-sponsors and 15 Senate co-sponsors, including a large number of members on the Joint Finance Committee. However, Speaker Vos said earlier this week that he does not support postpartum Medicaid extension. The GOP motion passed 11-4 along party lines.

Democrats offered Motion #112 to amend Motion #109. The Democratic amendment would have added the postpartum Medicaid eligibility extension to the Republican motion. The Democratic motion failed 4-11 along party lines as the GOP ignored again the importance of postpartum medical care.

Department of Military Affairs

Democrats moved Motion #105 which contained support for cybersecurity, a Town of Silver Cliff public safety building, urban search and rescue teams, a homeland security office, and a provision to improve the next generation 9-1-1 system for emergency calls. The Democratic motion failed 4-11 along party lines.  

Republicans moved Motion #114, which included funding for the conservation of memorials in the Vicksburg National Military Park, pre-disaster flood mitigation grants, grants for WISCOM upgrades and dollars for a new replacement WISCOM system. Their motion did not include the next generation 9-1-1 improvements because these changes are located in the shared revenue bill. The Republican motion passed 11-4 along party lines. 

Department of Children and Families

Democrats moved Motion #106 which would include $340 million to fund Child Care Counts. Additionally, this motion included significant funding for domestic abuse services, improvements to the foster care system, and increased caretaker supplements. The motion failed 4-11 along party lines.

Republicans moved Motion #116 which provided no funding for the Child Care Counts program. The GOP motion increased eligibility for the Wisconsin Shares child care subsidy program and resumed the YoungStar child care subsidy program. The motion also contained a provision for a $15 million revolving loan fund for child care providers under WEDC; this money was placed in the Committee’s supplemental appropriation and would require enabling legislation to release the funds. That motion passed 11-4 along party lines. 

Democrats moved Motion #117 to amend Motion #116. The Democratic amendment to the Republican motion would add Child Care Counts funding into the Republican motion. The motion failed 4-11 along party lines.

June 22nd Agencies Exec’d:

University of Wisconsin System
Budget Management and Compensation Reserves
Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority
Shared Revenue and Tax Relief
General Fund Taxes
Budget Stabilization Fund

Actions by Agency

University of Wisconsin System

Democrats moved Motion #99: Minority Omnibus Motion - University of Wisconsin System. Not adopted, 4-12 (Roys, Johnson, Goyke, McGuire).

Republicans moved Motion #129: Majority Omnibus Motion - University of Wisconsin System. Adopted 12-4 (Marklein, Born).

Democrats moved an omnibus motion that provides over $60 million in GPR appropriation for UW System, $500,000 yearly for the Health Care Provider Loan Assistance program, new and continuing appropriation for the MIA Recovery and Identification Project, funding for the UW-River Falls Farm and Industry Short Course, and funding for the Wisconsin Institute for Sustainable Technology. Additionally, the motion provides over $9 million over the biennium for newborn screening laboratory testing operations for forensic toxicology testing, funding and 1 position for the UW-Madison Soil and Forage Lab at the State Laboratory of Hygiene, and funding for positions at the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory.

Republicans moved an omnibus motion that deletes over $15 million GPR annually and 188.80 GPR positions from UW System’s appropriation. The motion requires that the 188.80 positions cut are positions that perform functions related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Additionally, the motion deletes 142 vacant and unfunded GPR positions, places ~$31 million GPR in JFC’s supplemental appropriation to be released to UW System upon approval on workforce metrics, and ~71 million annually as a reestimate to reflect tuition revenue increases.

Budget Management and Compensation Reserves

Democrats moved Motion #124: Minority Omnibus Motion - Budget Management and Compensation Reserves. Failed 4-12, (Johnson, Roys, Goyke, McGuire).

Republicans moved Motion #115: Majority Omnibus Motion - Budget Management and Compensation Reserves. Adopted, 12-4, (Marklein, Born).

Democrats moved an omnibus motion that provides $125,153,900 to compensation reserves for costs related to state and UW System employee compensation, over $275 million for a 5% and 3% general wage adjustment in 2023 and 2024 respectively, funding for correctional officer pay raises, funds for probation and parole agent pay progression, funding for modifications to existing pay progressions for DNR Wardens and Capitol Police, funding for market adjustments for IT related positions and classified attorneys, and funding to continue the supplemental pilot add-on pay to address recruitment and retention issues.

Republicans moved an omnibus motion that provides a 4% and 2% GWA for 2023 and 2024 respectively, funding for correctional officer pay raises at a level lower than that moved by Democrats, and other funding modifications for various positions.

Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority

Republicans moved Motion #123: Majority Omnibus Motion - Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority. Adopted, 16-0, (Born, Marklein).

Republicans moved an omnibus motion that provides $50 million for a new housing rehabilitation loan fund, increases the capital reserve fund to $1 billion, provides $275 million for the residential housing infrastructure revolving loan fund, $100 million in for a main street housing rehabilitation revolving loan fund, and $100 million for a commercial-to-housing conversion revolving loan fund. The motion passed unanimously following the Governor signing the bipartisan housing bill package earlier in the day.

Shared Revenue and Tax Relief

Democrats moved Motion #120: Minority Omnibus Motion - Shared Revenue and Tax Relief. Failed 4-12 (Johnson, Roys, Goyke, McGuire).

Republicans moved Motion #127: Majority Omnibus Motion - Shared Revenue and Tax Relief. Adopted, 15-1 (Born, Marklein).

Democrats moved an omnibus motion that provides over $1 million over the biennium for payments to local governments to cover the reduction in tax revenue following a federal Court of Appeals decision (Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin v. Evers). Additionally, the motion eliminates a delay in state aid payments for exempt computer property. Finally, the motion provides a 5.0% increase for payments for the municipal services program.

Republicans moved an omnibus motion that would transfer certain funds under Act 12 (Shared revenue bill), the motion would provide 2 project positions to DOR for the repeal of the personal property tax, it would provide funding to local governments to cover loss in tax revenue from the federal Court of Appeals decision, creates a tax exemption for property used for cranberry research stations, and more.

General Fund Taxes

Democrats moved Motion #118: Minority Omnibus Motion - General Fund Taxes. Failed 4-12 (Goyke, Roys, Johnson, McGuire).

Republicans moved Motion #125: Majority Omnibus Motion - General Fund Taxes. Adopted, 12-4 (Born, Marklein).

Democrats moved an amendment to Motion #125 - Failed 4-12.

Democrats moved an omnibus motion that conforms state tax treatment of 529 college savings plans with federal tax code, expands the nonrefundable state credit for child and dependent care expenses to correspond with federal income tax returns, and expands the exclusion for income received from a qualified retirement plan for those aged 65 or older that meets certain income requirements. Additionally, it expands the partially refundable research tax credit and increases funding for the enterprise zone program.

The Republican motion made a number of changes, including reducing income tax rates. The lowest tax bracket would be reduced from 3.54% to 3.5%, the middle two brackets would be collapsed to 4.4%, and the highest tax bracket would be reduced from 7.65% to 6.5%. Additionally, the motion made changes to the withholding table, created an income and franchise tax deduction, increased the sales tax retailer’s discount rate to 0.75%, increased the refundable portion of the research tax credit, and an enterprise zone credit reestimate.

Democrats introduced an amendment to Republican Motion #125 that specifies that the top marginal individual income tax rate stays at 7.65%, while maintaining the reduction in the lowest tax bracket and the combining of the two middle brackets. This amendment failed 4-12.

Budget Stabilization Fund

Democrats moved Motion #121: Minority Omnibus Motion - Budget Stabilization Fund. Failed 4-12 (Johnson, Roys, Goyke, McGuire).

The Democratic motion would transfer $500 million from the general fund to the budget stabilization fund in 2023-24 and increase the required statutory balance to $600 million beginning in 2023-24.

Miscellaneous Items

Republicans moved Motion #126 - (Marklein, Born). Adopted, 12-4.

Provides $25 million to DOA for the fund of funds investment program, minor changes to the Boys & Girls Club grant program under DCF, establishes a prohibition against fraudulent insurance acts related to the powers of the OCI, repeals the 3c surcharge on seedlings under DNR and increases expenditure authority for ATV and UTV trails and increases aid for conservation, increases Robotics League Participation Grants funding, re-estimates payments for Choice and Charter programs, provides funds for erosion remediation at De Pere Greenwood Cemetery, modifies the Supreme Court’s cybersecurity program funding, provides funds for UW-Washington County transition to join Moraine Park Technical College, permits WEDC to data share with DOR, provides funds for oral healthcare workforce initiatives, provides funding for substance abuse prevention on public works projects program, and more.

Final Motion

Republicans moved Motion #2023 - (Marklein, Born). Adopted, 12-4.

This motion adopts all amendments with JFC’s changes to the two budget bills proposed by Governor Evers (AB 43 and SB 70) and recommends the amended bills for passage.