Wisconsin isn’t getting its state budget done on time. That’s largely because Gov. Walker and the state Senate disagree with the Assembly on how to pay for transportation needs. Or more precisely, they differ on whether to pay for what they spend now, versus pushing more of that cost into the future. > Wisconsin State Journal
GOP lawmakers and Gov. Walker can still make a respectable showing compared to the budgets passed by previous Legislatures and governors. But with no deal yet on transportation and taxes, it’s too late to pass a bill and get Walker to sign it before the state’s current budget runs out on June 30. > Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
A spokeswoman announced Wednesday that Sen. Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald supports borrowing $850 million for roads in the next budget, or $350 million more than Gov. Walker has proposed. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos told reporters that’s a non-starter without a long-term tax or fee to help pay off debt. > Wisconsin Public Radio
An agreement on education funding may be in sight, but Wisconsin lawmakers still have a long road ahead before agreeing on the transportation budget. “I’m not thinking education will be that large of a stumbling block,” John Nygren told reporters last week. “I do think transportation will be a stumbling block.” > The Cap Times
With school funding being a sticking point in the stalled budget process, GOP senators announced they are working on a plan that could help low-spending rural school districts, as the Assembly plan aims to do, while also accommodating Walker’s target of holding the line on property taxes. > Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Assembly leaders unveiled an education plan that cut Gov. Walker’s education spending plan by $90 million, but the idea was immediately rebuffed by their fellow Republicans in the Senate. It was the latest sign that work on the state budget is stalled, even though Republicans enjoy complete control of state government. > Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
With budget talks hitting a wall Monday, unusual procedural moves are being discussed. Assembly Republicans have suggested breaking out the roads portion of the budget to pass it separately, a move the Senate and Walker oppose. Meanwhile, the Senate was considering passing its own entirely separate budget, which would complicate and delay final approval. > Beloit Daily News
