Wisconsin budget deal cuts taxes and boosts university funding

Wisconsin Democratic Gov. Tony Evers and Republicans who control the state Legislature announced a deal Tuesday on a new two-year budget that cuts income taxes, increases funding for the Universities of Wisconsin despite a threatened cut and raises fees to pay for transportation projects. The deal emerged the day after the deadline for enacting a new budget. However, there is no government shutdown in Wisconsin when the budget is late. The Legislature is scheduled to pass it this week. Evers called the deal “a pro-kid budget that’s a win for Wisconsin’s kids, families, and our future.” Once the budget clears the Legislature, Evers will be able to make changes using his expansive partial veto powers. But his office said Evers would not veto any budget provisions that were part of the deal he reached with Republicans. Evers has said he will announce his decision on whether he will seek a third term after he has signed the budget.