Assembly Democrats blocked Republicans' attempt to pass a constitutional amendment that would create spending restraints and push state revenues into a rainy day fund if tax collections exceed certain benchmarks.
The amendment would create a fund that could only be accessed during a fiscal emergency or recession with approval from two-thirds of the state Legislature. It would also require state tax collections in excess of 6.5 percent of statewide personal incomes be deposited into a special fund.
However, state Rep. Tony Staskunas, D-West Allis, said the bill was ""written very poorly"" because it requires money contributions at a time when the government is cutting aid to school districts.
The objection delays a vote on the bill until the next session after the next scheduled floor day, which would push a vote until May 10. To become a law, it would need to be passed in this next session and approved by voters.
State Assembly Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald, R-Horicon, defended the bill as something that could help prevent cuts to essentials, like education, in the future.
""This is a common sense approach, it's a fresh, and it's something I think this state is clamoring for,"" Fitzgerald said.
Democrats also blocked legislation on bear hunting licensing.
