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Senator Nass
on the Senate Floor |
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Senators Kapenga, Nass and Stroebel – Budget Vote and
Veto Assurances |
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MADISON, WI – State Senators Chris
Kapenga (R-Delafield), Steve Nass (R-Whitewater) and
Duey Stroebel (R-Cedarburg) released the following
statement after voting in favor of the 2017-19 Biennial
Budget after achieving Governor Scott Walker’s
commitment to veto numerous provisions. |
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While the Senators initially sought to
remove provisions lacking common sense taxpayer
protections and to insert accountability reforms, they
were able to achieve many of those goals after detailed
discussions with Governor Walker and his staff. |
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“A key goal entering this budget was
addressing the transportation issues that the state
has been grappling with. Between the budget and the
veto agreements with the Governor, including the
transportation reforms, I am encouraged that we will
finally have a pathway to a long-term solution.”
-Senator Chris Kapenga
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“Every step of the way, State Senate
conservatives fought to keep the focus of this
budget on protecting middle class families from the
added burden of property and gas tax increases. We
blocked efforts to kill the UW System tuition freeze
that has already saved the average student more than
$6,300 over the last four years.”
-Senator Steve Nass
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“Creating the opportunity for all
Wisconsinites to enjoy the quality of life they
choose in our great state has always been my
priority. The budget process must continually strive
to deliver effective and efficient government
without encroaching on our freedoms and liberties. I
am proud to have impacted the final budget product
in a way that continues to advance these cherished
principals. I thank Governor Walker for his
leadership during this budget process.”
-Senator Duey Stroebel
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All three thanked Governor Scott Walker and Senate
Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald for their cooperative
approach in allowing for a compromise solution, a stark
contrast to the Assembly leadership’s position of
process over taxpayers. |
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The senators announced the following veto assurances
from the Governor (additional vetoes supported by the
three members will be announced by the Governor’s Office
later this evening): |
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Public Finance Authority
-Full veto of this budget provision giving the Public
Financing Authority expanded powers, including eminent
domain and issuing bonds with no oversight. |
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School District Referendums
-Partial veto that will permit school district
referendums to conduct referendums only on regularly
scheduled primary and general election days. Veto would
remove special election option in November of
odd-numbered years. |
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Energy Efficiency Exemption to School District
Revenue Limit
-Partial veto that reinstates the Governor’s provision
to remove the energy efficiency exemption to the school
district revenue limit, making school district spending
more accountable to its taxpayers. |
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Fed-Swap
-Partial veto deleting the requirement that a study be
conducted of the Fed-Swap, and give DOT the flexibility
to administratively enact a Fed-Swap policy. |
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Prevailing Wage Repeal
-Partial veto that implements an immediate repeal of
prevailing wage on state projects, as opposed to the
September 1, 2018, effective date. |
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Transportation Projects Commission
-Partial veto that leads to removal of changes to the
TPC, but leaves the independent engineering study. |
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*Additional vetoes supported by the three members
will be announced by the Governor’s Office later this
evening. |
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