New Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers, a Democrat, is locking horns with Republicans in the state Legislature. In the last week, Evers rejected GOP plans for a middle class tax cut, and to guarantee health coverage for people with pre-existing conditions. Republicans said they'd stand in Evers' way if he tries to expand Medicaid coverage.
Meanwhile, GOP lawmakers say they want to work off a base budget in coming months, rather than consider the biennial budget that Evers will propose this winter. We asked Wispolitics.com Editor JR Ross whether the disagreements show gridlock already has overtaken the Capitol. Ross says each of the issues might play out differently. For instance, Ross says it's uncertain Republicans really intend to rely on a base budget.
"Every budget is a two-year budget. The second year of that budget becomes your "base" to build your next one off of. So, what Republicans want to do is use that second year, that base year of the current budget to build off of. But when I talk to people their question is: do lawmakers really want to go line by line over every single agency and see do they like this, not like that."
Ross says it's possible GOP lawmakers will accept Evers' position on some of the smaller agencies, then use the base budget as they fight over more high-profile areas, such as taxes, the Department of Natural Resources and the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation. Ross predicts the debate will be "fascinating to watch."
Ross adds that on the subject of the biennial budget, Evers might get his own way — even if Republican lawmakers refuse to consider his spending plan. He says that's because governors in Wisconsin have the most powerful partial veto authority in the country.
"So, the things that people are watching for that I talk to are when Republicans finish their work on the budget, can Evers take that partial veto authority and rework it in a way to make him satisfied, or will he say, 'You know what, this is such a problem I'm going to veto the entire thing.' "
Ross says he's never seen a governor veto an entire budget.
