Statement of Governor Doyle on the Assembly's Refusal to Pass a Budget

MADISON - Nearly nine months after Governor Doyle introduced his budget to the Legislature, the Assembly still refuses to pass budget. This evening, the Assembly voted against a compromise budget bill.

Governor Doyle made the following statement:

“Extreme elements of the Republican Assembly have again won out by not supporting this compromise. Under the Constitution, it is the Legislature’s job to pass a budget, and for nearly nine months they have failed to do it.

“They have failed once again and do not seem to have any plan on how to meet their duty. The only budget the Republican Assembly has passed slashes health care, education, and public safety, and I will not let that happen.

“Lawmakers have created a fiscal nightmare for this state. The cost to operate school buses, pay heating bills, and maintain roads has gone up, and lawmakers refuse to deal with it. The state is spending more than we are taking in, and we will be unable to fund essential services that protect the health and safety of our citizens. The people of this state count on their legislators to make the tough choices necessary to lead this state, and they have failed.

“The Legislature’s failure has real and far reaching consequences for families and businesses in this state. In the coming weeks, all across the state, homeowners will see an increase in their property taxes because the Legislature has failed to do its job.

“I hope that lawmakers get the message now – we are nearing an emergency.”