Gov. Tony Evers announced that Wisconsin ended the 2024–25 fiscal year with a $3.9 billion positive balance in its General Fund under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), marking the sixth consecutive year the state has finished in the black. According to the state’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, the Budget Stabilization, or “rainy day,” fund also […]
State Reports $3.9 Billion General Fund Surplus for FY 2024–25
Date Thu, Dec. 18, 2025 - 3:14pm By Hamilton
Legislative Leaders Considering December Extraordinary Session
Date Fri, Dec. 5, 2025 - 8:46am By Hamilton
Republican legislative leaders are considering calling an extraordinary session to address the significant increase in state costs tied to recent federal changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), known in Wisconsin as FoodShare. In Wisconsin, an extraordinary session can be called by the Legislature, by the committees on organization or through a joint resolution […]
State Reports $4.6 Billion General Fund Balance for Fiscal Year 2025
Date Thu, Oct. 23, 2025 - 2:11pm By Hamilton
The Wisconsin Department of Administration reported a $4.6 billion undesignated balance in the state’s General Fund for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. General purpose revenue collections rose 4.8 percent to $22.36 billion, while expenditures totaled $21.12 billion which is slightly above budgeted levels. Nearly 45 percent of spending went to local assistance for […]
Separation of Powers and Rulemaking Dispute Continues
Date Thu, Aug. 28, 2025 - 10:02am By Hamilton
A July 8 Wisconsin Supreme Court ruling reshaped the balance of power between the governor and the Legislature over administrative rulemaking. In a 4–3 decision, the Court struck down the Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules’ (JCRAR) authority to block or suspend rules, calling it an unconstitutional legislative veto. Going forward, lawmakers can only […]
Gov. Evers Signs into Law $111.1 Billion State Budget Bill
Date Thu, Jul. 3, 2025 - 9:08am By Hamilton
Early in the morning on July 3, the Wisconsin legislature passed a $111.1 billion budget bill for the 2025-27 biennium and Gov. Evers quickly signed it. Overall, the plan is a 12 percent increase in spending. The vote came just days after the state’s fiscal year closed on June 30. With new legislative maps resulting […]
State Budget Progress Stalls as JFC Cancels Meeting
Date Fri, Jun. 20, 2025 - 9:24am By Hamilton
After a slower start than previous budgets, the Joint Committee on Finance (commonly called the Joint Finance Committee or JFC) abruptly announced on Thursday, June 19, that they are hitting pause. The announcement followed the committee’s postponement of a major vote on the University of Wisconsin System on Tuesday, June 17. The committee had been […]
JFC State Budget Updates: June 10th, 12th & 17th
Date Fri, Jun. 20, 2025 - 9:22am By Hamilton
6/10 Tuesday June 10th the Joint Finance Committee (JFC) met again for an executive session to consider motions for the following agencies. The committee includes 12 Republican members and 4 Democrat members; all 12-4 and 4-12 vote tallies were among party lines. With a two 13-3 votes each time one of the 4 democrats voted […]
JFC State Budget Updates: May 29th & June 5th
Date Fri, Jun. 6, 2025 - 9:25am By Hamilton
On Thursday June 5, the Joint Finance Committee (JFC) met for an executive session to consider motions for the following agencies. The Committee includes 12 Republican members and 4 Democrat members; all 12-4 and 4-12 vote tallies were among party lines. Most notable, was in the Environment Improvement Fund, JFC voted to advance a […]
Governor and Republican Legislature Budget Talks at Impasse
Date Fri, Jun. 6, 2025 - 9:19am By Hamilton
Governor Tony Evers said Wednesday evening that budget talks with Republican leaders had hit a wall, despite his agreement to include their top priority—a tax cut. Evers pointed to GOP resistance on funding priorities like K-12 schools, child care, and the UW System as the reason the deal fell apart. His office noted that meetings […]
Updated State Revenue Estimates Push Leaders Toward Budget Talks
Date Fri, May. 23, 2025 - 9:19am By Hamilton
The much- anticipated updated state revenue numbers for the 2025-27 state budget were released recently by the Legislative Fiscal Bureau. The latest forecast indicates the state is now expected to have $335 million less available through mid-2027 than previously anticipated in January. According to the LFB, the state’s projected ending balance for the 2023-25 biennium […]