Dem leaders: Huebsch is holding state hostage
The Legislature's top two Dem leaders accused Assembly Speaker Mike Huebsch of holding the state hostage because half of his caucus doesn't want a budget.
But Huebsch, R-West Salem, countered Dem lawmakers fail to understand the only thing that will pass his house is a proposal that spends and taxes less than the one the Assembly rejected last night.
Dem leaders Judy Robson in the Senate and Jim Kreuser in the Assembly questioned why Huebsch didn't bring his last offer to the floor last night for a vote. The speaker said he doesn't know whether he would have enough GOP votes to pass his last offer, saying the governor's Doyle's decision to call a special session derailed that conversation.
That offer included an increase in the cigarette tax and a transfer from the Patients Compensation Fund.
Huebsch acknowledged he would lose GOP votes for any proposal that includes a tax increase and said he's now willing to go to his caucus to get as many votes as possible for his latest proposal and then seek enough Dem support to get it through the Assembly.
Kreuser, D-Kenosha, suggested Huebsch isn't interested in passing a budget because he knows approving a compromise could jeopardize his leadership position in a caucus with two dozen members who signed a pledge opposing any tax increase.
Responding to a question, Kreuser said, "So what you're saying is that the longer we don't have a budget, the longer he gets to be speaker, is that what you're saying?"
Huebsch rejected the suggestion and said he's committed to finishing the budget.
"The only danger I have of losing my speakership is if the Democrats take over the Assembly, and that's not going to happen in the next two weeks. I guarantee that," Huebsch said.
Check the PM Update for audio from today's news conferences.
