La Crosse area lawmakers react to WI budget passage

Area legislators weighed in on the passage of the 2025-27 biennial budget signed into law early Thursday morning by Governor Tony Evers.

Here are their comments.

Sen. Brad Pfaff (D-Onalaska) District 32

“While this budget is far from perfect, it’s considerably better for our state than the budget that the majority party was considering just weeks ago, or no budget at all. After years of delay because of partisan politics, the Prairie Springs Science Center will finally get done. This is a big deal for the La Crosse community and economy, as well as Wisconsin’s ongoing workforce needs.

“Let me be clear, this is not the budget that I would have written, and it misses the mark in key areas, like public education. While the budget does make a historic investment in the state’s special education reimbursement rate, we could and should be doing more for our schools, kids, and teachers.”

Rep. Jill Billings (D-La Crosse) 95th District

“Throughout this process, I have been focused on advocating for the best budget for my constituents. I and my Democratic colleagues have worked to prioritize keeping people safe, providing educational and economic opportunities, and passing a fiscally responsible budget that focuses on the needs of working families.”

“I am proud that Democrats used our seat at the negotiating table to fight for the inclusion of child care funding, increased reimbursements for special education, and improved higher education funding. I am also thrilled that after many years of delays, false starts, and disappointments, the Prairie Springs Phase II science center at UWL will finally be built.”

“This budget includes additional funds for the Agricultural Roads Improvement Program, an increase in state reimbursement for special education, significant investment in the Environmental Improvement Program to address PFAS and other hazards to keep our water clean, critical funding for child care access and affordability, and funding to finally complete the Prairie Springs Phase II science center at UWL. With the help of legislative Democrats, instead of the original multi-million dollar cut to the UW system promoted by legislative Republicans, Wisconsin’s universities will now benefit from increased funding.”

“This budget is not perfect, but thanks to the tireless efforts of advocates, business leaders, organizers, legislative Democrats, and Wisconsinites across the state who raised their voices, it has improved dramatically in recent weeks. This budget is not what I and my Democratic colleagues in the Assembly would have written if we were in the majority, but this bipartisan compromise is a step in the right direction. Working families will get more support from this budget because legislative Democrats had a seat at the table, and the work does not end with this bill. Through the rest of this session, we will continue to fight for the best interests of Wisconsin families.”

Rep. Steve Doyle (D-Onalaska) 94th District

“Tonight, after several hours of debate, I voted to send the biennial budget on to the Governor’s desk for his signature. This budget embodied compromise, in that no one got everything they wanted, but everyone got something. I was pleased to vote for the more than a billion dollars in tax cuts for the middle class and seniors on fixed income. I was pleased to vote for increases in special education funding to attempt to alleviate – in at least a small part – the funding crisis faced by our schools. And I was pleased to vote for more than $200 million in funding for road repair and replacement. Finally, I was pleased to vote for the completion of the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse Prairie Springs Science Center Completion. This project will attract more talent to our communities and will help alleviate our workforce crisis.

However, there is still much more to be done. I look forward to working with my colleagues to secure additional much needed funding for our education systems and our child care centers. I will continue working to reauthorize the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program. And, as always, I will keep fighting to accept the Medicaid expansion funding. This budget was one step forward. Now it’s time we take another step forward, and another. I’m ready to get back to work.”

Rep. Tara Johnson (D-Shelby) District 96

“While this is not the budget I hoped for, it represents real progress for the people of Wisconsin,” said Rep. Johnson. “We are bolstering our healthcare system, investing in our rural communities, and providing tax relief for hardworking Wisconsinites. My yes vote is a vote for a budget that delivers meaningful results for my constituents.

Among the highlights:

• $1.1 billion investment in Wisconsin hospitals
• Continued funding for the current Medicaid program
• Funding to prevent long-term care facility cuts and closures
• $194 million to complete the construction of the Prairie Springs Science Center at UW-La Crosse 
• $150 million in support for the Agricultural Roads Improvement Program to repair our rural roads
• Income tax cuts for 1.6 million Wisconsinites
• Eliminating retirement income taxes for many retirees

“This budget is proof that when we focus on solutions, we can deliver for the people of Wisconsin from both sides of the aisle. While no budget is perfect, this agreement shows what’s possible when we work together.

“This is not the finish line — it’s a good start. I’ll keep fighting to ensure these funds are used effectively, and that we continue building on this progress to improve the lives of everyone in the 96th District.”