Statement from Wisconsin state Sen. Brad Pfaff of Onalaska on voting against budget

Thursday the Wisconsin state Senate passed the 2023-2025 biennial budget, following the recent passage of legislation on shared revenue, property tax relief and road improvement, among other things.

Monday, state Sen Brad Pfaff (D-Onalaska) was on La Crosse Talk PM to discuss the budget.

La Crosse Talk PM airs weekdays at 5:06 p.m. Listen on the WIZM app, online here, or on 92.3 FM / 1410 AM / 106.7 FM (north of Onalaska). Find all the podcasts here or subscribe to La Crosse Talk PM wherever you get your podcasts.

Wednesday, he voted against it, and issued the following statement:

“I’m proud of my recent votes to increase shared revenue funding and public safety resources for our communities, lower taxes by eliminating the personal property tax, and rebuild our roads and bridges. These bipartisan changes will transform our communities for the better, from funding police and fire protection to giving small businesses and local governments the tax relief they need.”

“Unfortunately, I cannot support the budget as it is currently written. This budget could’ve done so much more for the people of Wisconsin, but instead of making much needed investments in broadband, child care, and health care, this budget falls short.”

“Wisconsin has a historic surplus. We could have used this to provide meaningful tax relief for hardworking, middle class Wisconsinites, but instead, the tax cut in this budget is for the richest in our state.”

“To further grow our state and economy, we had the opportunity to address challenges that impact our working families. With a once-in-a-generation surplus, we could have invested in our workforce through proven child care programs, health care, and education, while also providing meaningful middle class tax reform.”

“It is long past time that we move beyond rigid ideology and petty partisanship, and get back to the basics. I was proud to vote to fix our roads, cut property taxes, and increase funding for first responders and essential services, but with a historic surplus, this budget fails to invest in the future of Wisconsin.”