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    Wisconsin Lawyer
    July 14, 2025

    Governor and Legislative Leaders Reach Compromise, Pass Budget

    Negotiations between Gov. Evers and legislative leaders led to compromises over the final budget, which was signed into law July 3.

    By Cale Battles, Lynne Davis

    Madison skyline at dusk in summer

    July 14, 2025 – After months of twists and turns, a final agreement between Republican leaders in the Senate and Assembly, Governor Tony Evers, and Senate Democratic leaders was reached and the 2025-2027 state budget was signed into law in the early morning hours of July 3.

    The votes did not come easy, as narrow majorities in each chamber meant GOP leaders struggled to pass the budget relying solely on Republican members. Ultimately, the Senate passed the bill 19-14, including five democratic senators supporting the measure, and the Assembly followed suit several hours later with a vote of 59-39, including six democrats in favor.

    The final budget included several tax reductions on income and retirement funds, in addition to increased spending on childcare, the University of Wisconsin System, and K-12 education. As part of the agreement, the Governor refrained from using his powerful line-item veto pen on the agreed-upon items, but 23 other items not covered by the agreement were altered.

    Justice System Investments for both Prosecution and Defense

    As previously shared in the June 23 Rotunda Report article, the Joint Finance Committee (JFC) made significant investments in the state’s justice system early in the budget process, and those measures remained in the final budget. Notably, funding was provided for pay progression to retain experienced attorneys in both the DA and SPD offices.  In addition, the JFC proposed 42 new ADA positions across 23 counties and 12.5 support positions were added to the SPD’s office. During the final JFC budget hearing, 12.5 additional ADA positions were funded in Milwaukee County as well, bringing the total number of new ADA positions to 54.5 statewide. The funding for the Milwaukee positions comes from a change in state law allowing Milwaukee County to retain 100% of fine and forfeiture revenues from violations of state traffic laws.

    Cale Battles Cale Battles, is the government relations program manager with the State Bar of Wisconsin. He can be reached by email, or by phone at (608) 250-6077.

    Lynne Davis Lynne Davis, is a lobbyist with the State Bar of Wisconsin. She can be reached by email, or by phone at (608) 852-3603.

    Judicial Council to Receive Much-Needed Staff Attorney

    Another item included in the final budget agreement was funding for a staff attorney to assist the Wisconsin Judicial Council with their research and legislative or judicial proposals. The Judicial Council is a 21-member statutory board that plays a pivotal role in the development of court rules and procedures. In 2017, funding for a staff attorney was removed by the legislature, leaving the administrative tasks to the volunteer appointees. This funding will greatly improve the Council’s effectiveness and efficiency.

    Civil Legal Aid Funding Not Included in Final Agreement

    While there were great victories in the budget for several State Bar Board of Governors-supported issues, one issue remains unchanged – the state’s investment in civil legal aid, or lack thereof.  In February, Governor Evers included increased funding in his budget proposal, but Republican leaders removed the funding early in the budget process. Advocates from the Civil Legal Aid Alliance of Wisconsin joined the State Bar in aggressively advocating for funds to be reinstated in the final budget, asking Wisconsin lawmakers for an increase of $9 million in General Purpose Revenue (GPR) to provide civil legal services for veterans, victims of domestic abuse, seniors, and underserved rural communities. In addition to the GPR funding, advocates requested additional support from the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program in the amount of $8 million and the removal of a $75,000 cap for individual provider grantees. Unfortunately, those efforts were unsuccessful, and the current $1 million TANF allocation, designated exclusively for survivors of domestic violence, continues to be the only funding that legal services providers will receive over the next two years.

    The fight for funding continues, however, as the effort to educate elected officials about the importance of civil legal aid remains steadfast. The State Bar’s Advocacy Network remains available to share thoughts on the budget, including the need for the state to invest in civil legal aid in the future, with legislators.

    What You Can Do: State Bar of Wisconsin Advocacy Network

    Advocacy Network

    State Bar members are encouraged to send a message to their lawmakers expressing thoughts about the budget by using the Advocacy Network. "Choose Your Own" to craft messages to any of your elected officials, from President of the United States down to your local municipal officials.

    Don't forget to subscribe to the Rotunda Report newsletter and follow us on X (formerly Twitter) to stay informed and get involved in the legislative process.


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