MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Republicans on the Legislature's finance committee are kicking off deliberations on Democratic Gov. Tony Evers' state budget by branding the spending plan as "irresponsible."
The finance committee is beginning the months-long process of revising the budget Wednesday with briefings by state agencies on their spending priorities.
Republicans control the committee. Rep. John Nygren, the committee's co-chairman, began the briefings by labeling Evers' plan as "irresponsible." Sen. Alberta Darling, the committee's co-chairwoman, lamented that the budget raises taxes by $1.3 billion and is projected to lead to a nearly $2 billion shortfall heading into the next budget.
Democratic Rep. Chris Taylor says the spending plan is the "people's budget."
