MADISON, Wis. (AP) — It doesn’t look like any of the four senators holding out support for the state budget are backing down. The Assembly passed the budget on Wednesday. The Senate is scheduled to take up the document Friday but Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald doesn’t have the 17 votes he needs to pass it. Four GOP senators — Steve Nass, Duey Stroebel, Chris Kapenga and Dave Craig — have refused to vote for the budget. Nass, Stroebel and Kapenga have given Fitzgerald a list of amendments they want, including expanding the state’s voucher school program, blocking the University of Wisconsin System from spending $4 million on diversity training and moving up repeal of prevailing wage laws from September 2018 to January. Kapenga said Thursday he doesn’t plan to back down. Nass aide Mike Mikalsen says Nass remains a ‘no’ as well. Stroebel told WISN talk radio show host Mark Belling that the items are big campaign points for the senators and they would make the budget better.
