Assembly Republicans rolled out their “Families First” state budget package during a hot and muggy news conference on the Capitol steps Tuesday. Assembly President Mike Huebsch says Republicans have exceeded their goal of passing a no tax increase budget, cutting taxes while still meeting the state's most important obligations. Majority Leader Jeff Fitzgerald says this Republican budget represent's the needs of Wisconsin's “silent majority.” And, Assembly Budget Committee chair Kitty Rhoades says Republicans have put more money into the budget for K-12 education than even Governor Jim Doyle: some $465 millon. The Assembly budget is in stark contrast to the version passed by Democrats in the state Senate, and the two versions will go before an Assembly-Senate conference committee.
