Overview
- The bipartisan package negotiated by Gov. Tony Evers and legislative leaders passed the Assembly but failed in the state Senate when all 15 Democrats and three Republicans voted no.
- A Marquette University Law School poll of 454 adults released May 26 found about 80% of respondents said the $1.8 billion deal should have passed and 69% said it should be approved now rather than delayed.
- The proposal would have used part of a projected $2.5 billion surplus to deliver rebate checks, eliminate state income tax on cash tips and overtime, and provide roughly $300 million each for special education and general school aid to reduce property taxes.
- Opponents pointed to a Legislative Fiscal Bureau estimate that the plan would create a roughly $2.95 billion deficit under a no-growth revenue scenario, and Republican Sen. Chris Kapenga said he voted no because the deal would make ongoing commitments from one-time funds.
- The poll found voter views cross party lines and that 73% expect candidates' positions on the bill to matter this fall, increasing the chance of another special session and making the surplus a central issue in upcoming campaigns.