Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu said Thursday the Wisconsin Senate will reconvene to consider a bipartisan surplus spending plan if two more senators join the 15 who already back the measure, which would deliver rebate checks to families, eliminate taxes on tips and overtime, cut property taxes and boost special education funding.
“Fifteen of 18 Senate Republicans supported the plan to provide rebate checks to hardworking families, pass no tax on tips and overtime, cut property taxes, and increase special education funding,” LeMahieu said in a statement. “All 15 Senate Democrats voted against it. If two more Senators decide to stand with the 80% of Wisconsinites who support this compromise, the Senate will meet to send the proposal to the governor.”
The agreement failed on the Senate floor last month despite passing the Assembly with some Democratic support. It drew from the state’s projected budget surplus to provide one-time rebate payments, property tax relief for schools and additional aid for special education programs.
A recent Marquette Law School Poll found 80% of Wisconsinites believe the Legislature should have passed the deal. Support crossed party lines, with 82% of Democrats, 77% of Republicans and 81% of independents in favor, according to the survey.
The plan would have used approximately $1.8 billion of the state’s surplus for direct relief. Key provisions included rebate checks of up to $300 for individuals and $600 for married couples filing jointly, elimination of state income taxes on tips and overtime pay, increased reimbursement for special education costs and measures to reduce school property taxes.
LeMahieu’s announcement comes as lawmakers weigh options for addressing the surplus ahead of the fall elections. Evers the two Republican legislative leaders, LeMahieu and Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, are not seeking reelection this year. On Sunday, Vos said the Assembly was ready to reconvene and pass the measure should Evers call a second special session.
“I still think we can get it done,” Vos told WISN-TV’s “UpFront.” “I think that we should go back in. I’ve asked the governor’s office to try to have us get another attempt to do it. Let’s come back and do it in June. We can get it done before November.”
Senate Democrats have not yet commented publicly on LeMahieu’s call to reconvene, but Senate Minority Leader Diane Hesselbein on Monday blamed him for her reluctance to support a second special session.
“I talked to Sen. LeMahieu, I think on Friday, and asked him if there is a chance, and he said, ‘Absolutely not.’ So I believe that’s his answer,” she said.
