The Senate and Assembly budget conferees have met three times over the past two weeks to settle differences on the 2007-2009 state biennial budget.  On day one conferees met for over two hours but reached no agreements.  Each committee member provided an opening statement.  The main topic of discussion was the Democrat's Healthy Wisconsin proposal. The day ended with the Democrats proposing approval of all items adopted by the Joint Committee on Finance on a 16-0 vote; however, they reduced their proposal to three items (a veterans package, domestic abuse grants and the Racine County infant mortality project).  Speaker Huebsch responded by indicating the Republicans would not approve any items until the committee agreed on how much revenue it would spend overall.

Please click here to see WCA's memo to conferees on items to include in the 2007-2009 State Biennial Budget.

The Conference Committee met again last Wednesday and Thursday. On Wednesday, conferees agreed to a list of 571 items on which the Joint Finance Committee, Senate and Assembly had identical language; in essence, they agreed to all items on which there was already agreement.  However, the conferees also agreed to revisit the items if revenue estimates, re-estimates or later action by the committee is required.  The list of 571 items includes the increase in juvenile correctional institution rates from $209 per day to $259 per day in FY 08 and $268 in FY 09.

Please click here to see WCA's memo to conferees on the rate increase and the need for the committee to approve the youth aids increase contained in the Senate version of the budget.

Conferees also agreed to 12 items in which the Senate and Assembly made identical changes to the budget recommendations of the Joint Committee on Finance. 

Conferees also reviewed 80 items approved by the Joint Committee on Finance on a 16-0 vote but were later modified by the Senate or Assembly.  No action was taken on the items.

On Thursday, conferees discussed the Democrats offer on health care and the Republicans counteroffer on health care.  Democrats also made a proposal on Milwaukee initiatives (the youth aids and shared revenue increases were included in the offer), as well as proposed approval of several items approved by the Joint Committee on Finance on a 16-0 vote.  No action was taken on Thursday.

Conferees will meet again Wednesday and Thursday this week.

WCA encourages all county officials to contact members of the Conference Committee, as well as local legislators, to discuss budget items affecting county governments. 

Conference Committee members include:

Senator Judith Robson

Senator Russ Decker

Senator Bob Jauch

Speaker Mike Huebsch

Representative Kitty Rhoades

Members of the conference committee have changed based on the issues to be discussed.

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