Area lawmakers react to budget, vetoes

By Jade Henschel

(WAOW) -- Among what was vetoed by Governor Evers: requirements for the Department of Workforce Development to promote rules establishing occupational drug testing for unemployment insurance and repealing authority for the Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection to give grants and loans to dairy producers.

Governor Evers said that vetoing the budget entirely was not really an option.

"At the end of the day, vetoing this budget in its entirety would have meant not only jeopardizing those investments that I just mentioned but also likely causing our kids and schools to lost $2.3 billion in federal funds when they need it the most," said Governor Evers.

Governor Evers listed different reasons for each of his vetoes, for example saying there was no evidence of widespread drug use in those applying for unemployment, and that testing would be a waste of taxpayer funds.

Central Wisconsin's lawmakers are sharing their thoughts on Governor Evers' budget signing.

Republican Representative Scott Krug said in part, quote: "this historic tax-cutting, fiscally responsible budget crafted by the republican legislature deserved to be signed into law, but without the political partial vetoes."

Meanwhile, Democratic Representative Katrina Shankland supported the governor's plan, saying: "I appreciate Governor Evers' action on the state budget today, showing his commitment to the people of Wisconsin by addressing some of the glaring issues in the state budget."

Governor Evers has vetoed the so-called 'mill bill,' to help fund the purchase of the Verso Mill in Wisconsin Rapids.

Governor Evers says that he worked with the state economic development council, legislatures, and local officials to make an amendment to the bill that didn't use federal funding, which he says would need to be paid back if the project failed, but that amendment wasn't included in the bill's final version.