Tentatively scheduled to be passed by the Legislature at the end of the week, the governor’s controversial budget repair bill is the focus of a finance committee public hearing today where turnout is expected to be large and vocal.
Gov. Scott Walker introduced the budget repair bill Friday to fix the nearly $137 million budget shortfall. Although the governor expects the bill to make it through the Legislature by Friday, the public will still be able to offer testimony to the Joint Finance Committee.
“Unlike two years ago when Democrats did not hold a public hearing for the last budget repair bill, we want to listen to individuals’ concerns,” Sen. Alberta Darling, R-River Falls, and Rep. Robin Vos, R-Racine, said in a joint statement.
The hearing is open to all members of the public. People can sign up and speak during the hearing.
Due to the large number of expected participants, people who have signed up to testify will be given up to two minutes to address the committee, according to the statement from Darling and Vos.
“We know they are expecting an enormous crowd,” said Aaron Collins, spokesperson for Sen. Lena Taylor, D-Milwaukee. “They have already arranged spillover rooms for the extra people.”
After the public hearing, the bill will go into an executive session, which is when the committee votes on amendments or revisions to the bill, Collins said.
However, Vos asked to move the vote to Wednesday if public testimony continues throughout the day and into the night.
“Since [the committee] is expecting a long hearing, Vos released a notice stating the committee will have flexibility regarding the time of the voting,” Collins said. “There is a chance it will be moved to Wednesday this week.”
Many union members expect substantial cuts under Walker’s budget repair bill, and many members will likely show up to testify against the bill.
The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations oppose the budget proposal in its current form, urging legislative action to change the bill.
Union leadership is ready to fight for collective bargaining authority according to statement released Sunday by AFL-CIO secretary-treasurer Stephanie Bloomingdale.
The AFL-CIO launched a statewide ad campaign Sunday to defeat the “draconian” bill, Bloomingdale said.
