The state Legislature passed Gov. Jim Doyle's budget adjustment bill Wednesday, which aims to decrease the current budget deficit and create jobs.
The Senate passed the bill 18-15 along party lines with no Republican support. After deliberations late into the night, the state Assembly passed it 51-48.
State Sen. Fred Risser, D-Madison, said this bill, which leaves $400 million of the state's current $600 million deficit unfilled, is only part of the solution to the state's budget woes.
Rebekah Sweeney, spokesperson for Assembly Speaker Mike Sheridan, D-Janesville, said this package will send money into our transportation system, which will help improve Wisconsin's infrastructure while creating jobs in repairing bridges, roads and buildings.
We know it's really important to pass this bill to create jobs, boost business and get this economy moving again. We have to take proactive action and act with urgency,"" Sweeney said.
State Rep. Spencer Black, D-Madison, said he finds the bill important for two main reasons. It will create jobs and close unfair and unnecessary corporate tax loopholes so there will be extra revenue to prevent state services like the universities from being dramatically affected, he said.
""We desperately need to get this economy going again, and this bill will be a start on that,"" Black said. ""It's the first step in what is going to be a long haul.""
According to Mike Mikalsen, spokesperson for state Rep. Steve Nass, R-Whitewater, this bill will stimulate jobs only for government workers, but its tax increases will decrease jobs in the private sector.
""This bill is a tax increase bill, and what's worse it doesn't even solve the current year's fiscal crisis that a budget repair bill is supposed to deal with,"" Mikalsen said.
State Sen. Randy Hopper, R-Fond du Lac, said in a statement he opposes the bill because it will deepen Wisconsin's economic recession by hurting middle class families and putting their jobs in jeopardy.
