With Wisconsin facing a deficit of at least $5.7 billion, Assembly Republicans say changes are needed in how the state budget is developed.
Assembly Republicans unveiled a package of bills Tuesday that call for an overhaul of the state budget process. State Representative Leah Vukmir (R-Wauwatosa) says one goal is to end the frequent reliance on one-time revenue sources to balance the budget.
Other proposed changes include full disclosure of earmark spending and requiring agencies to use zero-balance budgeting.
A proposal from State Rep. Bill Kramer (R-Waukesha) would require the state to create a public database of where taxpayer money goes. Kramer says the public website would list all state expenditures over $25.
Lawmakers say the changes will require the state to budget more responsibly.