Wisconsin Democratic Senate Minority Leader Dianne Hesselbein on Monday distanced her caucus from a bipartisan school funding and tax relief agreement brokered by Gov. Tony Evers and Republican legislative leaders, signaling potential hurdles for the deal in the upper chamber.
Hesselbein described the proposal as the work of “three men who will not be in elected office next year,” a pointed reference to Evers and the two top GOP leaders (Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu) who are not seeking re-election. She said Senate Democrats would review the full details of what she called an “expensive proposal” amid economic uncertainty.
“From my perspective, there is no deal: Three men who will not be in elected office next year have come up with this proposal which Senate Dems will be reviewing,” Hesselbein said in a statement. “Senate Democrats will have more to say once we have seen the full details of this expensive proposal and have gotten some clarifying information on revenue projections in this time of significant economic uncertainty and upheaval.”
The agreement, announced earlier Monday, would tap Wisconsin’s substantial budget surplus to deliver more than $600 million in new K-12 education funding, including a historic boost to special education reimbursements. It also includes roughly $350 million in property tax relief, elimination of taxes on tips and overtime, and direct rebate payments to working families.
The proposal requires approval from both legislative chambers. With Republicans holding majorities, passage in the Assembly appears likely, but Hesselbein’s statement raises questions about Senate dynamics and whether Democrats will seek changes.
