Senate Minority Leader Dianne Hesselbein told WISN 12 on Monday that the Wisconsin Senate will not return for a special session to reconsider a $1.8 billion tax relief and school funding package that failed last month.
Hesselbein told WISN-TV’s Matt Smith that she spoke with Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu, who controls the chamber’s schedule, and received a firm rejection of any return.
“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.
The surplus bill, negotiated between Republican leaders and Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, would have delivered rebate checks to taxpayers, eliminated state income taxes on tips and overtime pay, and directed hundreds of millions toward schools to ease property taxes and boost special education funding. It passed the Assembly 61-35 but died in the Senate on a 15-18 vote, with all Democrats and three Republicans in opposition.
On Sunday, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos urged lawmakers to return, noting a Marquette University Law School poll found 80% of Wisconsin adults supported the measure.
“Look, we can’t even get people in Wisconsin to agree what day of the week it is, and if 80% of the people say this deal should have passed, let’s give them some confidence that government can actually get things done,” Vos said during an appearance on Smith’s “UpFront” program.
Evers’ office signaled the governor would call a special session if Senate Democrats agreed to reconsider.
“The Governor stands ready to call a special session if the lawmakers who voted against the bipartisan plan he negotiated with Republican leaders are willing to reconsider their decision,” a spokeswoman said in a statement. “He remains hopeful they will do so.”
