In a typical state budget cycle, April marks the end of the Joint Finance Committee’s (JFC) traveling public hearings, followed by agency heads testifying on their respective budgets. By the end of the month, the committee usually begins taking up portions of the state budget to meet the June 30 deadline.

But these are not typical times.

Since the beginning of 2025, there have been ongoing questions about the timing of the 2025–27 state budget. Several pending Wisconsin Supreme Court cases could significantly impact the powers of both the Governor and the Legislature. Key cases include:

• 400-year Veto: A challenge to Gov. Tony Evers’ controversial 2023 partial veto that extended a school funding increase until the year 2425 by altering digits in the budget bill;
• Literacy Trailer Bill: A dispute over Evers’ use of partial vetoes in literacy-related legislation, with Republicans arguing the vetoes were unconstitutional because the bill wasn’t a true appropriations bill, while Evers maintains they were within his legal authority;
• JCRAR Oversight: A case contesting the Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules’ role in the administrative rulemaking process.

Given the potential implications of these cases on the upcoming budget, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos recently acknowledged the Legislature might delay work on key components of the 2025–27 budget. While the JFC plans to move forward with non-fiscal items, Vos indicated that decisions involving state spending could be postponed until the Supreme Court rules on the Governor’s veto powers. That decision could come in the next few weeks—or not until fall. It remains unclear whether the Legislature will also wait on rulings in the other pending cases before resuming full budget work.

Still, JFC has scheduled four public hearings for April—two in the first week and two at the end of the month. JFC is also holding agency head briefings  but have only asked two entities to come – DOC and the UW System.   Adding to the uncertainty is the April 1 State Supreme Court election, which will determine the court’s ideological tilt and could shape future rulings on executive and legislative authority. Meanwhile, federal budget cuts to states are further complicating the picture.

Despite the looming questions and potential delays, it’s important to remember that—unlike the federal government—Wisconsin does not shut down if a new budget isn’t enacted by June 30. Instead, the previous year’s appropriations carry over into the new fiscal year beginning July 1.