Lieutenant Governor Talks Budget
Monday, March 4th, 2019 -- 10:09 AM
(WRN) -Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes made a stop in Wausau on Friday to meet with students, as well as talk about the state budget.Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes made a stop in Wausau on Friday to meet with students, as well as talk about the state budget. Republicans have already come out against Governor Evers' proposals, and Barnes says legislators like Speaker Robin Vos are the ones standing in the way.
"The only people in the way are people like Speaker Vos who's playing a very obstructionist role. He also said that the Governor was in a bubble. Which is very ironic because they are in their own self drawn gerrymandered bubble. Which allows them to continue to legislate against the interest of the people."
Barnes says Governor Evers' version of the budget was curated by listening to the people of Wisconsin.
"To say that the budget is dead on arrival is more than frustrating, it's irresponsible. This is the will of the people. We actually got our suggestions from doing listening sessions. It wasn't you know some small room with a handful of people. It was actual input from taxpayers."
Barnes says that despite Republican claims that Governor Evers budget is dead on arrival, that the legislature has some unpopular ideas as well.
"Earlier last month, the Speaker and the Senate Majority Leader talked about toll roads. Which would be one, wildly unpopular, and two the cost of implementation, that's money that could have gone straight to the roads anyway."
Barnes also talked about a proposed gas tax, and funding for broadband and better education. Barnes says the Governor's budget includes funding for schools and broadband expansion.
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