JFC Action on the 2025-27 State Budget

Department of Employee Trust Funds

Republicans offered Motion 15, an omnibus motion that provided $71.0 in a continuing appropriation for modernization of the pension administration system and failed to address the Governor and agency’s call for additional resources for service support. That motion succeeded 12-4.

JFC Democrats introduced Motion 13, which would have adopted the Governor and agency’s request for the modernization of the pension administration system ($ for needed maintenance and upgrades to the system) and updated a reporting requirement and included resources for service support especially needed with the Retirement System taking on new employers including Milwaukee City and County. That motion failed 4-12.

State Treasurer & State Fair Park

JFC Democrats and Republicans also disagreed on whether to grant the State Treasurer a position to assist in promoting and navigating the state’s Unclaimed Property Program and providing additional expenditure authority based on increasing revenues to the Wisconsin State Fair Park. Democrats moved to approve the position and expenditure authority and Republicans to deny them, all on party line votes.

Secretary of State, Lieutenant Governor, Fox River Navigational Authority and Lower Wisconsin Riverway Board

Smaller items for each of these offices were approved on 16-0 votes with Republicans noting a future motion related to the Fox River Navigational Authority is expected when the Committee takes up Natural Resources issues.

Department of Safety and Professional Services

Finally and significantly, the Committee took up actions related to the Department of Safety and Professional Services, which has made significant strides in improving and maintaining services to credential-holders and potential credential-holders. Democrats put forward Motion 16, which would have met the Governor and agency’s request to maintain and build on those successes by providing needed and permanent positions and continue a vital program for privately owned wells, among other items. The motion is attached and was defeated 4-12.

Republicans’ Motion 14 significantly reduced the number of positions requested (for example, DSPS and the Governor sought 14 positions to maintain services at call centers serving credential-holders, providing only 5 project positions), ending the private well program and seeking to transfer $5 million of program revenue from DSPS to the general fund. 

June 5th Agencies Closed:
•    Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation
•    Educational Communications Board
•    Medical College of Wisconsin
•    Ethics Commission
•    Legislature
•    Financial Institutions
•    Environmental Improvement Fund
•    Board of Commissioners of Public Lands
•    Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority

Elections Commission was removed from the agenda and will be taken up at a later date.

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Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation 
JFC Democrats moved A1 from Paper #821 to WEDC’s continuing appropriation for the opportunity attraction and promotion fund to provide grants to attract unique opportunities and large events to the state. The motion failed 4-12 on party lines. JFC Republicans introduced Paper #820 which reduced SEG base funding to WEDC by $2,270,000 in 2025-2026 and $1,570,000 in 2026-2027. This passed along party lines 12-4. 

Educational Communications Board 
JFC Democrats moved A1 from Paper #285 and Back Pages 3 and 4 (mirroring the Gov’s budget proposal), for the ECB emergency weather warning system. Motion failed 4-12.
Republicans moved just back Pages 3 and 4 (standard budget adjustments). Motion passed 13-3 (Andraca, Johnson, Roys).

Medical College
JFC Democrats moved A1, B1, C1, and D1 from Paper #495 (mirroring the Gov’s budget proposal). This motion provided funding for North Side Milwaukee Health Centers Family Medicine Residency Program, Northwest Wisconsin Residency Rotation, Comprehensive Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Fellowship Program, and the Advancing Innovation in Residency Education (AIRE) Program. These programs are essential to bridging the gap in our state’s ongoing Physician shortage. Motion failed 4-12. 
Republicans moved A3 and B2. Providing less funding than proposed in the Gov’s budget proposal for the  North Side Milwaukee Health Centers Family Medicine Residency Program ($250k/year) and Northwest Wisconsin Residency Rotation ($250k/year). Motion passed 12-4

Ethics Commission 
JFC Democrats moved A1 from Paper #310 (mirroring the Gov’s budget proposal). This motion extended the maintenance phase for the new CFIS and ongoing costs for an IT contractor position. Motion failed 4-12. 
Republicans moved Motion #23. Changed the funding from GPR to a mix of GPR and Program Revenue. Motion passed 12-4.

Legislature 
Republicans moved Motion #18, providing funding for two positions at the Legislative Technology Services Bureau, $147,300 in one time funding for actuarial audit services, modifications to network services funding, and four financial auditor positions for the Legislative Auditor positions. Motion passed 15-1 (Andraca). 

Department of Financial Institutions
JFC Democrats moved Motion #17. (mirroring the Gov’s budget proposal), allowing the department to utilize program revenue for the maintenance and upgrade of critical information systems. Motion failed 4-12. 
Republicans moved Motion #20. This motion failed to provide funding for security resources and funding to increase audit capabilities for banking. Motion passed 12-4.

Environmental Improvement Program
Republicans moved A1 and B1 from Paper #305 (mirroring the Gov’s budget proposal). This motion increased Bonding Revenue for EIP to support the Clean Water Fund and the Safe Drinking Water Loan Program. Motion passed 16-0.

Board of Commissioners of Public Lands
JFC Democrats introduced Motion #21. This motion provides $240,000 for financial and land asset management, convert aids in lieu of property taxes to sum sufficient funds, and salary and fringe benefits for limited term employees. Motion failed 4-12. 
Republicans moved Motion #26. This motion provides only $100,000 for financial and land asset management, and eliminates the Deputy Commissioner of Public Lands position. Motion passed 12-4.

Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority 
JFC Democrats moved A1 from Paper #835 and A1 form Paper #836. This motion increased the State Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, helping support developers who build low-income housing. Motion failed 4-12. 
Republicans offered no motions, thus taking no action on this agency. 

Supreme Court

JFC Democrats offered Motion 27, which among other items highlighted the need for security for judicial officials, especially during a time of heightened anti-judge rhetoric. It was defeated 4-12.
Republicans moved SCOWIS Back Page #3, which passed 12-4.

DATCP

JFC Democrats offered Motion 32 (4-12), which would have adopted the Governor’s strong provisions to protect food security among other important items, while criticizing the Republicans' Motion 37 (12-4) largely ignored the issue.

Office of the Commissioner of Insurance

Democrats put forward Motion 29 (4-12) while highlighting that Republicans had stripped every item related to Drug Price Affordability and Health Insurance Accountability (including monitoring of health care coverage denials) earlier in the process with the 612-item-removing Motion 4. Ultimately the sides agreed on the importance of the Wisconsin Healthcare Stability Plan and Motion 36 passed unanimously.

Department of Workforce Development 

Democrats put forward Motion 30 (4-12) while highlighting the vital importance of addressing future shortfalls in Wisconsin’s health care workforce and the success of Youth Apprenticeship programs built for success in the upcoming budget and beyond. Republican’s DWD Motion 35 passed 12-4.

Department of Revenue

Democrats put forward Motion 31 (4-12) arguing against “nickel-and-diming” the agency charged with collecting the state’s revenue, noting the 10-to-one Return on Investment in positions at the agency. Republicans’ DWD Motion 35 passed 12-4.

Other agencies addressed at the June 10 session included the Historical Society and Circuit Courts.

Historical Society Motion #28 (4-12)
Historical Society Motion #34 (13-3)
Circuit Courts Back Page #3 (4-12)
Circuit Courts Motion #33 (13-3)

June 12th Agencies Closed:
Veterans Affairs
Wisconsin Technical College System
Department of Public Instruction
Shared Revenue and Tax Relief
General Fund Taxes
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Veterans Affairs

JFC Democrats moved Motion #39. This motion provided $21.9 million for State Veterans Homes, $5 million to help maintain the Veterans Benefit Management System, and many other items to support our state’s veterans. However, JFC Dems were unable to move the number one request of veterans, expansion of the Veterans and Surviving Spouses Property Tax Credit, because Republicans stripped this out of the budget earlier in the process with the 612-item forbidden list: Motion 4. Motion 39 failed 4-12, along party lines.

JFC Republicans introduced Motion #45, providing $5 million for State Veteran Homes and $2.5 million for a Grant for the Veterans Community Project of Milwaukee. The motion also deleted 226.7 positions in collaboration with the agency to eliminate positions at veteran homes due to reduced veteran population and overall needs for service. This motion passed along party lines 12-4.

Wisconsin Technical College System

JFC Democrats moved Motion #40. This motion provided necessary funding to WTCS, including $45 million in general aid to WTCS and $10 million to help start AI programs. The motion failed 4-12, along party lines.

JFC Republicans introduced Motion #46. This motion fell far short of the Governor's proposal with only $8.2 million for general aid to WTCS and $2 million for AI programing. This motion passed 12-4, along party lines.

Department of Public Instruction

JFC Democrats moved Motion #42. One of the top items we heard about while traveling the state was the need for 60% special education reimbursement. This motion provided that 60% reimbursement rate, an additional $1.1 billion for general school aids, an increase for Per Pupil Aids, $83.8 million for school mental health services, $80 million for early literacy, and many other essential items for public schools. The motion failed 4-12, along party lines.

JFC Republicans introduced Motion #48. Their motion used gimmicks to try and say they were supporting our kids. This motion only brought the special education reimbursement rate up to 37.5% in the second year. They provided no general school aids, including no per pupil aid. This is the first time general school aids have not been included since the first Walker budget. The GOP instead hid behind bringing the high cost special education reimbursement rate up to 90%, but this reimbursement only affects 3% of special education students. Their motion was also notably missing early literacy funding. They provided $20 million for mental health services. They cut general operations at DPI by 10% (or $1.3 million).  Lastly, they provided $30 million for voucher schools.  Overall, their motion provided only 10% of the funding for K-12 schools that Governor Evers proposed. This motion passed 12-4, along party lines.

Shared Revenue and Tax Relief

JFC Democrats moved Motion #43. This motion provided funding to support local governments including $150.2 million to increase the School Levy Tax Credit, $100.8 million for the Payments for Municipal Services Program, $1 million for the City of Green Bay for Public Safety Costs (related to the Draft), an increase for the annual transfer to the Local Government Fund, and increased the County and Municipal Aid and Supplemental County and Municipal Aid.  The motion failed 4-12 on party lines.

JFC Republicans introduced Motion #47. This motion provided no payments for the Municipal Services Program and no money for the City of Green Bay for Public Safety. Most notably missing from this motion was a School Levy Tax Credit increase, meaning as the budget currently stands, property taxes will go up. This motion passed 12-4, along party lines.

General Fund Taxes

JFC Democrats moved Motion #41. This motion increased the maximum Adoption Expenses Deduction and increase the Personal Standard Deduction from $700 to $1200.  The motion failed 4-12 on party lines.

JFC Republicans introduced Motion #44 which expanded the second income bracket by $28,150 (to $67,300) for married-joint filers and $21,110 (to $50,480) for single filers. It also added a Retirement Income Exclusion for the first $24k ($48k for married-joint) in income for people who are at least 67. They also increased the Adoption Expenses Deduction and provided a tax break for Insurers.

This second bracket expansion would only provide a maximum tax break of $190 for a single filer and $253 for a joint married filer. Retirement income exclusions are restricted to those 67 years and older, and the LFB estimated that a retirement account producing the maximum income that could be excluded would be worth around $1.2 million. This motion passed 12-4, along party lines. 

Before the beginning of the executive session it was announced that the day’s major issue items, related to higher education, would be dropped from the day’s proceedings. It is unclear if the UW System and Higher Educational Aids Board provisions dropped from Tuesday’s calendar will be added to Thursday’s agenda or moved to next week. With the UW rumored to face significant cuts, Democrats on the committee expressed hope common sense and the recognition of the need for investment in a vital economic engine for Wisconsin could prevail but vowed to remain vigilant against cuts, especially on the heels of inaction on K-12 general aid and significant underfunding of special education needs the previous week.

The day then began with unanimous approval of a 13.10 request from the Department of Military Affairs and a technical budgeting amendment before moving on the remaining agencies on the agenda.

PSC

JFC Democrats offered Motion #50, which would have provided the Governor’s recommended increase for broadband expansion and adequately funded and staffed Water Utility regulation at the Commission to address pressing water safety needs in the state. It was defeated 3-11. The Republican motion on the PSC was adopted 11-3 and addressed only an issue related to utility assessments.

DMA

JFC Democrats offered Motion #55 (3-11), which would have adopted the Governor’s proposed DMA budget. Democrats also raised the need to advocate against federal Republican attempts to shutter FEMA, which would hamstring disaster response efforts, and highlighted disaster preparedness provisions in their motion. The Republican Motion #57, while met with silence on the risks posed to FEMA nationally, largely addressed the Department’s needs within the limitations of state budgeting and was adopted on a bipartisan 14-0 vote.

District Attorneys and State Public Defender

Both motions would provide more than 40 new prosecutor positions, although the Democratic motion would have provided more and addressed counties losing formerly federally-funded positions.  The Democratic motion would have more adequately addressed staffing needs to address workload issues, would have provided somewhat more funding for pay progression for DA’s and Public Defenders and would have more adequately funded positions beyond available county funding. The Democratic Motion #54 was defeated 3-11 while the Republican Motion #52 was adopted 11-3.

Department of Corrections 

Democrats highlighted the crucial components of the Governor’s plan that would have allowed for significant restructuring, addressed unsustainable population growth and allowed for the closure of adult facilities in Green Bay and repurposing of the facility in Waupun that were removed by earlier action. The Democratic Motion #51 would have funded overtime needs and a number of largely security-related and needed positions at the Department and its facilities. The motion was defeated 3-11. The Republican Motion #58 provided $38 million less on overtime costs, $122.2 million less GPR and 40.45 fewer positions overall. It passed 11-3.

June 27th Agencies Closed:

Elections Commission
Administration (DOA)
Justice (DOJ)
Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP)
Tourism
Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board
Children and Families (DCF)
University of Wisconsin System (UW)
Higher Educational Aids Board (HEAB)
Building Commission
Building Program (Capital Budget)
Corrections -- Juvenile Corrections (DOC)
Compensation Reserves
Program Supplements
Health Services (DHS)
Natural Resources (DNR)
Shared Revenue and Tax Relief -- Forestry Mill Rate
Transportation (DOT)

Children and Families (DCF), Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board, University of Wisconsin System (UW), Building Commission, Building Program and Commission (Capital Budget), Compensation Reserves, Transportation (DOT), and Health Services (DHS) were not taken up and will be address at a ‘later date’. 

Elections Commission 

JFC Democrats moved Motion 59, mirroring the Governor’s budget proposal. This motion provided funding for Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC), increased IT funding, LTEs to assist with complaints and records during election time, and over $500k to help improve database security and provide training. The motion failed 4-12.

JFC Republicans moved Motion 71. This motion only offered funding for IT costs and money to cover Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC) membership dues. This motion passed 12-4. 

Administration (DOA)

JFC Democrats moved Motion 68, mirroring the Governor’s budget proposal. The motion provided grants for local construction projects, funding for information technology services, and funding for facility upgrades and positions including the Capitol Police. The motion also included grants to Wisconsin tribal nations to promote tribal language and cultural revitalization. The motion failed 4-12.

JFC Republicans moved Motion 75. This motion failed to provide funding for local construction projects and provided zero extra positions and only ⅓ of the funding that Governor Evers proposed to support Capitol Police. Most notably, the motion failed to provide Tribal Grants to two of our state’s tribes as a continued retribution for political differences. Lastly, they added another $10 million to the Wisconsin Eye endowment. This motion passed 12-4.

Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP)

JFC Democrats moved Motion 63, mirroring the Governor’s budget proposal. The motion included funding for Dairy and Meat processor grants, farmer mental health assistance, as well as funding to support local county conservation staff and support, soil and water resource management, and water quality grant programs. The motion failed 4-12.

JFC Republicans moved Motion 81. This motion included less funding than the Governor’s proposal for Dairy and Meat processor grants and only half the funding for farmer mental health assistance. JFC Republicans again failed to provide adequate funding for necessary local county conservation staff and support, soil and water resource management, and water quality grant programs. This motion passed 12-4. 

Justice (DOJ)

JFC Democrats moved Motion 61. The motion provided funding for supplies and services costs to meet federal requirements for criminal justice data and information systems security, 10 additional positions at the State Crime Lab, $66 million to supplement VOCA grants, and provided funding and permanent positions for the Office of School Safety. The motion failed 4-12.

JFC Republicans moved Motion 76. This motion provided funding for cybersecurity compliance and $2 million for child advocacy centers, but provided less funding for the Office of School Safety and no positions for the State’s Crime Lab. Most notably they failed to provide adequate funding for VOCA, providing only $20 million in 2025-26 for awards and including these awards also need to be shared with child advocacy centers. This funding will likely not meet the need of crime victim service organizations that are already bracing for federal cuts, and may lead to closures and major program reductions. This motion passed 12-4.

Tourism 

JFC Democrats moved Motion 64, mirroring the Governor’s budget proposal. This motion provides over $30M in marketing fund increases. The motion also included $3,063,700 in funding for Wisconsin's Arts Board, and $254,000 for the Office of Outdoor Recreation. The motion failed 4-12. 

JFC Republicans moved Motion 77. This motion provided funding for marketing, but only provided $113k for the Wisconsin Arts Board and less funding for the Office of Outdoor Recreation. This motion also provided $5 million to the Taliesin Preservation, Inc. This motion passed 12-4. 

Higher Educational Aids Board (HEAB)

JFC Democrats moved Motion 49, mirroring the Governor’s budget proposal. The motion increased grant funding (Wisconsin Grants) by 20% to students at Wisconsin Technical College System institutions, and increased funding by $2 million for The Nurse Educators Program which provides financial assistance for educators in Nursing, Allied Health, Behavioral Health, and Dentistry. This motion failed 4-12.

JFC Republicans moved Motion 84. This motion provided $3.5 million for EMS training, less funding for WTCS grants (Wisconsin Grants), and failed to provide funding for the Nurse Educators Program. This motion passed 12-4.

Corrections (Juvenile)

JFC Democrats moved Motion 88, mirroring the Governor’s budget proposal. This motion provided $124.7 million in Bonding Revenue for the construction of the Dane County Type 1 facility, $27 million for the Milwaukee Type 1 facility, $6.5 million for the planning of a third Type 1 facility, $9.6 million for the Serious Juvenile Offender program (SJO), and increased the daily rate to $1,268. This motion failed 4-12.

JFC Republicans moved Motion 89. This motion increased the daily rate, funding and positions for the Milwaukee Type 1 facility, $19.8 million for contract bed funding, $58.3 million for the SJO program, and $43 million for changes in Juvenile operations costs. This motion passed 12-4.

Natural Resources and Shared Revenue and Tax Relief -- Forestry Mill Rate

JFC Democrats moved Motion 80, mirroring the Governor’s budget proposal. This motion reauthorized the Knowles Nelson Stewardship and provided funding for Wolf monitoring, Habitat Strategy and Planning Systems, State Parks operations and maintenance, necessary Conservation Patrol equipment, and $2.5 million for the Well Compensation Grant Program. This motion failed 4-12.

JFC Republicans moved Motion 90. JFC Republicans most notably did not take this opportunity to reauthorize the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program. This motion also failed to address Wolf management, Habitat Strategy and Planning, and provided less funding for our State Parks. JFC Republicans also enumerated many local projects throughout GOP districts. This motion passed 12-4. 

Important 13.10 Highlight:
Department of Public Instruction

Public Instruction: Section 13.10 Request for Release of Funding for Office of Early Literacy and Literacy Programs -- Agenda Item I

JFC Democrats offered Alternative 1, which releases the $49,672,600 from JFC supplemental fund to DPI. This motion failed 4-12.

GOP offered Motion 200, which transferred $9 million from JFC supplemental fund to DPI. GOP stated the rest of the $49.6 million will be included in a later motion for DPI to access again. DPI was fine with this option as it allows them to use the money in a more strategic manner. 

July 1st Agencies Exec’d:
Building Commission
Building Program
Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board
Department of Children and Families
Compensation Reserves
Department of Health Services
Program Supplements
Department of Transportation
University of Wisconsin System

Actions by Agency
All Agencies
Democrats moved Motion #125: Minority Omnibus Motion - State Agencies. Not adopted, 4-12 (McGuire, Andraca, Johnson, Roys).

Democrats moved an omnibus motion that provided increased funding across nearly all remaining agencies. The motion included expanded investment in child welfare services, additional pay progression for state employees, postpartum Medicaid expansion to 12 months, capital investments in state facilities, funding for highway rehabilitation and transit capital assistance, and increased GPR for the University of Wisconsin System.

Republicans moved Motion #130: Majority Omnibus Motion - State Agencies. Adopted, 13-3 (McGuire, Andraca, Roys).

Republicans moved a competing omnibus motion that adopted many of the same categories but with reduced funding or scaled-down versions of Democratic proposals. While it included some increases to state programs, the motion offered lower compensation reserves, removed postpartum Medicaid expansion, and reduced child care and youth services funding. Several agency investments were conditioned on federal approval or tied to pilot programs, and capital projects were approved more selectively. In nearly every area, the motion provided less funding or narrower scope than the Democratic alternative.

Republicans moved Motion #131: Technical Amendment - Building Program. Adopted, 16-0 (Born, Marklein).

Republicans moved a technical amendment to Motion #130 that modified the Building Program to shift additional capital projects from bonding to cash funding.

Final Motion
Republicans moved Motion #2025 - (Marklein, Born). Adopted, 12-4 (McGuire, Andraca, Johnson, Roys).

This motion adopts all amendments with JFC’s changes to the budget bill proposed by Governor Evers and recommends the amended bill for passage.