Politics & Government

Senate Passes State Budget, Focus Moves to Recalls

The state Senate voted 19-14 to adopt the 2011-13 state budget over the shouts of protestors.

After hours of emotional debate Thursday, the state Senate approved the state biennial budget, prompting praise by Gov. Scott Walker and vows by opponents to recall supporters.

The vote at 10 p.m. was along party lines, 19-14.

Immediately after the vote, Walker released a statement, saying, "I am proud of the work done by the Legislature, which passed a budget today that isn’t built on accounting gimmicks, use of one time money for ongoing expenses, or tax increases.

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"The budget approved by the Legislature is an honest document that balances Wisconsin’s $3.6 billion budget deficit so that our children and grandchildren aren’t saddled with mountains of debt in the future," the governor said.

Opponents shouted protests as the roll call vote began, but the Majority Speaker told them to keep calling the roll even though some senators' votes could not be heard.

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The focus now shifts to the recalls of nine lawmakers, six Republicans and three Democrats. 


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