Wisconsin GOP Removes Hundreds from Evers' Budget

Wisconsin's Republican-led Joint Finance Committee has voted along party lines to remove over 600 proposals from Democratic Gov. Tony Evers' 2025-27 budget, including measures on marijuana legalization, a new tax bracket for high earners, Medicaid expansion, mental health initiatives, and major child care investments. Republicans argue the governor's budget is unrealistic and includes excessive spending and policy items, while Democrats claim the move ignores broadly supported programs benefiting families, veterans, and children. GOP leaders plan to rebuild the budget from its base with a focus on fiscal responsibility and tax cuts, and note that some removed proposals could return as separate bills. This action continues a partisan pattern since Evers took office, with Republicans overhauling his budgets each cycle. The final version, once rewritten by the GOP, will be sent to Gov. Evers, who holds broad partial veto powers but cannot reinstate items that have been eliminated entirely. The process underscores ongoing debates over budget priorities and governance in Wisconsin.