Gov. Walker is expressing satisfaction with the budget the Legislature has approved. Lawmakers made several changes to the governor's initial plan. However, the majority retained his overall goals of providing an income tax cut, an expansion of private school vouchers statewide and limiting Medicaid health care coverage to people living at or below 100% of the poverty level.
Walker says the package will bring more prosperity to residents.
Debate in the state Senate lasted more than 12 hours, but shortly after midnight Friday, members voted on the 2013-2015 budget. It passed by a vote of 17-16, with Republican Dale Schultz of Richland Center joining all Democrats in opposition.