Lawmakers in the Wisconsin State Assembly. (Photo: WRN)
Following passage in the state Senate, the state Assembly is expected to start its debate later today at the Capitol on the proposed $70 billion biennial budget bill.
The legislation includes some changes from the proposal approved by the Joint Finance Committee late last week. Those include the removal of controversial changes to the state’s open records law and the addition of language that partially repeals Wisconsin’s prevailing wage law.
The Senate passed the amended bill on an 18-15 vote just before midnight Tuesday, after almost nine hours of debate. Sen. Rob Cowles (R-Green Bay) joined Democrats in voting against the bill.
The Assembly is scheduled to begin its debate shortly before noon today, with GOP leaders saying they plan to call for a vote on the bill by 11 tonight.