State Needs $2 Billion to Maintain Current Spending Level

A new report shows it will take more than $2 billion to
maintain current state spending levels – with some small increases. The
analysis from the Wisconsin Policy Forum released Friday shows the issues
facing incoming Democratic Governor Tony Evers and the Republican-controlled
Legislature. 

Evers will have to introduce a balanced budget early next year for
consideration. The report says $2.2 billion will be needed to continue existing
programs, and without an increase in revenue to cover that – taxes will have to
go up or cuts will have to be made. 

It also assumes a one-percent increase for
state agencies and more than $1.1 billion for Medicaid and K-12 school aid
combined. Evers ran on a promise of increasing money to schools alone by $1.4
billion.