JFC Starts Late
The Joint Finance Committee finally was called to order at about 2:45, an hour and 15 minutes later than scheduled. Co-Chair Dean Kaufert apologized for the delay and said there were some “loose ends to tie up.”
Kaufert promised the final document would improve on Gov. Jim Doyle's budget, which he said included the “stealing and raiding of funds.” Doyle's budget gave the committee “unlevel ground” to start from, and Kaufert promised a balanced budget despite the challenge.
Co-Chair Scott Fitzgerald said he looked forward to working with minority members of the committee and encouraged them to bring concerns to him.
Kaufert said the committee would not take up Tourism, the state Treasurer or the District Attorney and Public Defender items today.
See Kaufert's opening statement.
The first vote passed along partisan lines 12-4 on Budget Paper 290, dealing with the general obligation bonding authority in the Environmental Improvement Fund. Kaufert congratulated the committee on a good start, saying they had saved the state $25 million in bonding.
