MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Senate Republicans still don’t have the 17 votes needed to pass the state budget. Republicans met privately Wednesday to discuss the budget as the Assembly was preparing to vote on passing the $76 billion spending plan. Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald says there are five or six senators who are still reticent to vote for the plan, but he hopes they will come around by Friday. That is when the Senate is scheduled to pass it. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos says the Assembly will not return to act on the budget after it passes it Wednesday. Republican Sen. Steve Nass says he remains opposed to the budget, saying there are several reasons he won’t vote for it. Republicans have a 20-13 majority in the Senate, but they need 17 votes to pass the budget.
