The state Assembly has approved legislation that would identify how much funding schools and local governments will have available.
Assembly Speaker Mike Huebsch says the partial budget plan will help meet an upcoming deadline to notify schools about their aid for the next year. If that's not met, property taxes could climb by $600 million.
However, Tuesday's floor debate had several Democrats attacking the plan for being irrelevant. State Representative Joe Parisi (D-Madison) says it's a waste of time because Senate leaders don't plan to take up the bills and the Governor has said he'll veto them.
State Representative Frank Boyle (D-Superior) was among many Democrats who accused Republicans of using political stunts to make it look like progress is being made. Boyle says they need to stop wasting time and focus on reaching a compromise in the budget conference committee.
The education funding bill passed on a 70-27 vote, with 20 Democrats voting with Republicans. Another bill limiting local government spending passed 52-45, with only two Democrats offering their support.
AUDIO: Andrew Beckett reports (MP3 1:15)
