A Republican state lawmaker from Markesan says she is confident the state can continue to provide tax relief even with a looming budget shortfall. A Legislative Fiscal Bureau analysis released last week showed Wisconsin’s state budget would be $824 million short just to continue the current level of services. It looked only at what it would cost the state to continue funding levels over the next two years at their current levels, making no concessions for expenses like new tax cuts or potential cuts that would save money. Republican state representative Joan Ballweg says there are signs the state will be bringing in more revenue than projected…pointing to expansions at companies like Alliance Laundry Systems of Ripon and a new Amazon distribution Center in southern Wisconsin. The state constitution requires the Legislature to pass a balanced budget. Gov. Scott Walker is in the process of putting together his tax and spending plan for the next two years, which he will introduce to the Legislature early next year. New revenue estimates will be released next month, which could improve or worsen the state’s budget picture.
