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Public finance

Wisconsin Joint Finance Committee Returns to Budget Negotiations with Key Items on the Agenda

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The Wisconsin Joint Finance Committee is planning to return to work on the state budget on Friday, following a breakdown in negotiations between Republican Senate and Assembly leaders and Gov. Tony Evers. The committee will take up 54 sections of the budget, including ones related to the University of Wisconsin system, the Wisconsin Elections Commission, and child care funding. The budget is critical, as Evers has said he would veto the budget without investment in the state program to support child care providers known as Child Care Counts. Child care providers and Democratic lawmakers are calling for significant investments in K-12, special education funding, child care, and higher education.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Wisconsin Joint Finance Committee is planning to return to work on the state budget on Friday, with key items on the agenda, including child care funding, the University of Wisconsin system, and the Wisconsin Elections Commission.
  • The committee will take up 54 sections of the budget, including ones related to the University of Wisconsin system, the Wisconsin Elections Commission, the Department of Children and Families, Department of Health Services, and the Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Tourism.
  • Governor Tony Evers has said he would veto the budget without significant investments in the state program to support child care providers known as Child Care Counts.
  • Child care providers and Democratic lawmakers are calling for significant investments in K-12, special education funding, child care, and higher education.
  • Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu (R-Oostburg) has expressed concerns about the amount of spending being considered in the budget negotiations.
  • Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) is optimistic that the budget could be completed next week, following a joint caucus meeting between Assembly and Senate Republicans.
  • Sen. LaTonya Johnson (D-Milwaukee) urged Republicans to work to ensure families have access to child care, saying the state's economy relies on parents being able to work.

Statistics:

  • 54 sections of the budget will be taken up by the Joint Finance Committee.
  • $480 million is needed for the Child Care Counts program.
  • $87 million is the amount being considered by Republicans for cuts to the University of Wisconsin system.
  • $855 million is the additional funding requested by the UW system.

Sources:

  • "Finance committee delays action due to budget disagreements, child care providers disappointed" - https://wisconsinexaminer.com/2025/06/20/finance-committee-delays-action-due-to-budget-disagreements-child-care-providers-disappointed/
  • "WisPolitics: Vos optimistic budget will be done next week after Assembly, Senate Republicans meet in joint caucus" - https://www.wispolitics.com/2025/wed-pm-update-vos-optimistic-budget-will-be-done-next-week-after-assembly-senate-republicans-meet-in-joint-caucus/
  • "Wisconsin Supreme Court strikes down Gov. Tony Evers' partial veto of literacy law" - https://wisconsinexaminer.com/2025/06/25/wisconsin-supreme-court-strikes-down-gov-tony-evers-partial-veto-of-literacy-law/
  • (https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2023/related/votes/senate/sv0080)

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