Wisconsin Senate leader says lawmakers will reconvene if votes flip on $1.8B surplus deal

Wisconsin Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu (R-Oostburg) said Thursday that the chamber will reconvene if two members flip their vote on a controversial deal to spend the state’s projected budget surplus. The Senate failed to pass the $1.8 billion deal last month after three Republicans crossed the aisle to vote with all 15 Democrats against it. The State Assembly passed the deal with support from some Democrats. In a statement Thursday, Sen. LeMahieu said will meet to send the deal to Gov. Tony Evers’ desk if two of those Senators who voted against the deal change their minds. The deal would have leveraged Wisconsin’s projected budget surplus to send $600 million to schools and tax rebate checks to Wisconsin taxpayers.