Overview
- Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu said on Thursday the Senate will return to vote if two or more senators change their earlier no votes, making a re-vote contingent on those flips.
- The negotiated $1.8 billion package would use surplus dollars to deliver roughly $300 rebate checks for single filers ($600 for joint filers tied to 2024 returns), exempt tips and overtime from state income tax, and send about $300 million each to special education and general K‑12 aid.
- The bill passed the Assembly in May but was defeated in the Senate 18-15 when all 15 Democrats and three Republicans voted no, leaving the package stalled until any vote changes occur.
- Opponents point to a nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau memo that estimated the plan could create a near $3 billion structural shortfall under a no-growth revenue scenario, and that warning remains central to resistance.
- Public pressure is high after a Marquette Law School poll showed about 80% voter support, but Senate Democrats and Minority Leader Dianne Hesselbein say they are unaware of likely flips, leaving the dispute poised to affect 2026 campaigns.