Some state agencies are being told recent budget cuts will not be permanent, although most others will still face those lapses in Wisconsin’s next fiscal year. In a letter to agency heads released Friday, Governor Scott Walker outlines how they should go about writing their budget requests for the next biennium. Most agencies are being told not to include any spending increases.
Lapses included in the last state budget for five agencies will not be repeated, including $66 million in cuts made to the UW System. However, those agencies are still being told to assume there will be zero growth in additional funding.
Other agencies avoiding permanent cuts include the Department of Justice, Department of Workforce Development, Department of Children and Families, and Office of State Employment Relations.
Agency budget requests are due in mid-September. The information will be used to craft the governor’s budget plan, which will be introduced to the next Legislature in the spring.