Assembly budget passes, Dems give silent treatment

By Ryan Ekvall | Wisconsin Reporter

MADISON — They picked up their ball and went home.

Assembly Democrats, fed up with what they saw as the futility of fighting a “disastrous” Republican-crafted state budget proposal, on Wednesday declined to offer amendments or to even debate the $68 billion, two-year spending plan.

Instead, the minority party effectively gave the majority the silent treatment.

Republicans quickly brushed off the political statement, and used their numbers to pass a budget they praised for lifting a big burden off of Wisconsin taxpayers.

Minority Leader Peter Barca, D-Kenosha, had plenty to say at a press conference following the budget’s passage on a 55-42 vote.

“When you keep hitting a brick wall, sometimes you’ve got to try something different,” Barca said.

Flanked by his fellow Democrats, Barca said the party would take its message to constituents. The minority leader was the only Democrat to speak on the floor about the budget during a day scheduled for several hours of debate before an expected late-afternoon vote.