Decker said state stimulus agreement could come soon
Senate Majority Leader Russ Decker, D-Weston, said this afternoon he hoped a deal on a state stimulus package could be done by tonight or tomorrow.
"We've still got some details to work out," Decker said. "Hopefully we'll have something to announce very shortly."
The governor and lawmakers have been working to hammer out a deal on a state bill that would complement the federal stimulus package, streamline processes for moving federal money into state projects and include job creation efforts.
A source with knowledge of the negotiations told WisPolitics lawmakers have reached a general overall agreement on the package and details would likely be released tomorrow.
Asked if the bill will include provisions to close the state's estimated $594 million budget deficit in this fiscal year, Decker said, "That's still part of the process. We're still crunching some numbers."
Decker said the bill would follow the normal legislative channels; through the Joint Finance Committee before moving on to the Legislature.
Decker declined to give details on how many jobs the stimulus might create, but said they will include initiatives to build infrastructure.
"We've been talking about public works projects for a couple months now, whether it's roads, bridges, airports or harbors," Decker said.
One issue that had been thought to be snagging negotiations, the so-called Columbus Park issue, is still something he'd like to see get done, Decker said.
"We'd still like to see this taken care of, if not in this vehicle than in another fashion," Decker said.
On the so-called Las Vegas loophole, Decker said, "I certainly hope it makes it in there." Decker has championed closing the loophole, sometimes called combined reporting, that prevents companies from moving offices outside of Wisconsin to avoid corporate income tax here. Enacting the change would bring an estimated $130 million to state coffers this fiscal year.
Decker said the hospital assessment hasn't been a contentious issue in the negotiations, and that streamline sales tax has also been part of the discussions.
