The Governor’s budget has been referred to the Joint Committee on Finance, which includes eight members from each house whose primary responsibility is to serve as the principal legislative committee charged with the review of all state appropriations and revenues. This responsibility is most prominently carried out by the Committee's detailed review of the biennial budget recommendations of the Governor.
The next step of the Committee’s procedures in reviewing the budget is to begin holding public hearings throughout the state on the Governor’s proposed budget. Joint Finance Co-Chairs Miller and Pocan have announced the following public hearing schedule for the budget bill.
Joint Finance Budget Hearing Schedule:
- Monday, March 23 – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sparta. American Legion Hall, 1116 Angelo Road.
- Wednesday, March 25 – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. West Allis. State Fair Park, Banquet Rm 2, 640 s. 84th St.
- Friday, March 27 – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eau Claire. UW-Eau Claire Haas Fine Arts Center, 121 Water St.
- Saturday, March 28 – 9:00 a.m. Ashland. Ashland High School auditorium (listening session hosted by co-chairs Miller and Pocan and several other committee members may be present).
- Monday, March 30 – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Racine. Case High School theater. 7345 Washington Ave.
- Wednesday, April 1 – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Appleton. Lawrence University Stansbury Theater, 420 College Ave.
- Friday, April 3 – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cambridge. Amundson Community Center, 200 Spring St.
Upon conclusion of the public hearings, the Finance Committee commences executive sessions on the Governor's recommended budget. Because the 2009-11 budget originated in the Assembly (as AB 75), the bill – as amended by the committee – will be considered first by that chamber and then by the Senate. Any differences between the two versions of the budget must then be resolved before final legislative approval and review by the governor. While all of this work should, in theory, be completed before the end of the 2007-09 biennium on June 30, work on past budgets has often extended beyond that date.
A more detailed summary of the Committee’s procedures in reviewing the Governor’s proposed budget is available in the Legislative Fiscal Bureau's informational paper entitled, "State Budget Process."
Related articles:
Visit the Bar’s Government Relations page throughout the budget process for the latest updates and links.
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