FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

April 2, 2019

Contact: Senator Robert Cowles: (608) 266-0484

Sen. Cowles Concerned Following an Analysis Showing the

Governor’s Plan will Create a $1.96 Billion Structural Deficit

GREEN BAY– Senator Robert Cowles (R-Green Bay) released the following statement in response to an analysis from the nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau projecting a $1.96 billion budget shortfall to start the 2021-2023 biennium if Governor Tony Evers’ budget were adopted as proposed:

“There’s an old saying in politics that budgets are a reflection of priorities. The budget presented by Governor Evers clearly does not prioritize the financial stability of the state. It becomes increasingly clear with a nearly $1.96 billion projected structural deficit in the next budgetary cycle why the State Budget cannot cater to every desire presented by interest groups.

“Building this budget on unsustainable funding levels creates the potential for future budgetary issues as it has in the past. While I agree with some of the provisions in the budget, as proposed, this budget fails to recognize simple practices any Wisconsin family would employ to avoid future financial challenges.

“My colleagues can attest that my concern over the structural deficit during budgetary cycles is not a newfound partisan concern, but has been a consistent principal of good budgeting that I advocate we need to maintain. In fact, I have voted against budgets from both parties for this very reason. I trust that the Legislature will consider the priorities of Northeast Wisconsin without endangering our state’s long-term fiscal standing.”

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