Senate Passes Budget by One Vote/ More on Vouchers

The State Senate passed the budget by just one vote last evening.  In addition, there seems to be some concern over language inserted into the budget regarding the newly expanded voucher program.  Specifically, there is a provision that potentially renders the cap on voucher students state-wide meaningless. Click the link for coverage from the Journal Sentinel:

http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/senate-digs-in-for-long-debate-razor-thin-vote-on-budget-b9938014z1-212326961.html

Assembly Drops Additional Voucher Expansion

The State Assembly Republicans have dropped the "technical" amendment regarding further voucher expansion prior to passing the budget.  Journal Sentinel coverage here:

http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/212146211.html

State Superintendent Evers' Response

Following is a link to a press release by State Superintendent Tony Evers regarding the "technical" amendment mentioned in my previous post:

http://news.dpi.wi.gov/files/eis/pdf/dpinr2013_78.pdf

Is a Deal a Deal?

Apparently not in the Wisconsin State Capitol.  The assembly is planning to change the budget with a "technical amendment.  See the draft memo form the Legislative Fiscal Bureau here: Memo

There is also some media coverage on the topic available here:
http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/states-welfare-to-work-program-might-leave-budget-hole-b9936391z1-211981971.html

State Education Budget Update

Following is a link to the Legislative Fiscal Bureau's (LFB) comparative summary of the Governor's proposed budget versus that of the Joint Finance Committee.  We are still waiting on analysis from the DPI.

http://legis.wisconsin.gov/lfb/publications/budget/2013-15%20Budget/Documents/Joint%20Finance/dpi.pdf