Wisconsin Assembly Passes Budget on Party Line Vote

Madison – The Republican-controlled Wisconsin state Assembly has passed the budget on a party line 60-38 vote.

The Assembly vote to pass Republican Gov. Scott Walker's two-year spending plan came around 3 a.m. Thursday.

Democrats railed against the plan, repeatedly calling it an assault on middle class working families. They pointed to deep cuts to public education, the University of Wisconsin, and programs designed to help the poor.

But Republicans defended it, saying it makes the tough choices necessary to deal with a $3 billion shortfall and position the state for economic growth in the future.

A number of changes backed by Republicans were made before it was passed, including not extending the voucher school program to Green Bay.
The Senate plans to debate the budget later Thursday.