Gov. Scott Walker said he will sign the 2011-13 biennial state budget on Sunday at Badger Sheet Metal Works, a metal fabrication company in Green Bay.
“I am proud of the work done by the Legislature, which passed a budget that isn’t built on accounting gimmicks, use of one time money for ongoing expenses, or tax increases,” Walker said. “The budget approved by the Legislature is an honest document that balances Wisconsin’s $3.6 billion budget deficit so that our children and grandchildren aren’t saddled with mountains of debt in the future.”
Several veto requests have been made to Walker.
“We’re continuing to evaluate veto requests and will make any veto related announcements once decisions have been finalized,” said Cullen Werwie, a spokesman for Walker.
Some lawmakers and craft brewers are urging Walker to veto parts of the state budget, which they say could limit microbreweries’ ability to expand and distribute beer in the future. The provision would take away the wholesale and retail licenses from brewers and eliminate the ability of brewers to sell existing retail or wholesale operations separately from the brewing operation.
“Our local craft breweries have become a wonderful addition to Wisconsin’s economy by creating jobs and bringing tourism to the state,” said state Sen. Chris Larson. “We should be supporting these businesses that are a valued part of Wisconsin tradition and culture, not impeding their prospects for growth.”
Meanwhile, Milwaukee officials are asking the governor to veto a budge provision that they say requires the city to pay fired police office while their appeal is pending before the Fire and Police Commission.
“We don’t pay fired sanitation workers accused of sexual assault, and we don’t pay fired library workers accused of being absent without leave,” said Milwaukee Common Council President Willie Hines. “It simply makes no sense for the taxpayers of the City of Milwaukee to pay fired police officers.”
– BizTimes Milwaukee
