The Governor says Wisconsin may need to enact tougher consequences for when a budget is not passed in time.
In most states, failing to meet a budget deadline can lead to state government shutting down. That's not the case in Wisconsin though, where we continue to function under the previous budget.
Governor Jim Doyle says that's because of a provision in state law that allows the previous budget appropriation to stay in place if a new budget is behind schedule. Doyle says it was likely done to prevent the state from shutting down if lawmakers couldn't reach a compromise right on time.
However, Doyle says that just because the state isn't shutting down, doesn't mean we won't feel the impact of having a budget that's over three months late. He says the previous legislature passed a number of new programs and funding increases that weren't in the previous budget, and not having a new plan in place means funding can't be provided for those yet.
Doyle says the budget stalemate may show a need to change state law, so lawmakers can't delay taking action. He says there need to be real consequences if lawmakers don't get their job done on time.
Lawmakers were supposed to have budget passed over 12 weeks ago.