MADISON, WI (WSAU) – Wisconsin Senate Republicans are leaving the door open for another try to approve the proposed surplus relief package, which failed by a slim margin last month.
According to a press release from Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu, “Fifteen of 18 Senate Republicans supported the plan to provide rebate checks to hardworking families, pass no tax on tips and overtime, cut property taxes, and increase special education funding. All 15 Senate Democrats voted against it. If two more Senators decide to stand with the 80% of Wisconsinites who support this compromise, the Senate will meet to send the proposal to the governor.”
In response to LeMahieu, State Sen. Pat Testin spoke to WisPolitics, saying, “From his standpoint, if the Senate Democrats can be reasonable to work with, then possibly there’s a chance. But there would still have to be a broader discussion in our caucus.”
Gov. Tony Evers told media outlets during a June Dairy Month tour stop in Waukesha on Tuesday that Senate Minority Leader Dianne Hesselbein has “people wrapped around her finger by giving them jobs that they want” and that calling a new special session to try to pass the package was pointless if she and other Democrats weren’t on board with another vote.
Hesselbein has pushed back on the plan, noting that Sen. LeMahieu had told her that there was “no chance” the Senate would return to vote on the surplus bill, and has previously termed the proposal “completely reckless” and a “backroom deal”.
Assembly Bill 1 failed on the Senate floor with only Republican support, despite a recent Marquette poll indicating that 80% of Wisconsinites favored the bill, including 82% of Democrats, 77% of Republicans, and 81% of independents.
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