Before adjourning late Thursday, the House took up the “war supplemental” bill approved by the Senate in May, which would appropriate $58.8 billion for war spending and disaster relief. The House voted to add $21 billion for domestic priorities, including $10 billion to states to help reduce the number of teachers and law enforcement personnel who will be laid off as a result of the ongoing fiscal crisis.
The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities has completed a preliminary analysis of the $10 billion provision. They estimate that the Wisconsin share of the funding for teachers and law enforcement would be $180 million. Unfortuantely, finding sufficient Senate votes for the House amendment will be very difficult.
To read more, see the post on our new Wiscosnin Budget Blog.