Rep. Mark Pocan, the co-chair of the committee, said "things are going to be done a little bit differently" under the new Democratic leadership in the Legislature.

He said one of those things that will be done differently is to not give a pass "to companies hiding profits in a P.O. box in Las Vegas."

Addressing a question from Rep. Montgomery earlier about whether employees of companies impacted by combined reporting were asked for input on it, Pocan said that is another difference.

"We're probably not going to bring special interests in to write bills anymore," he said.

Montgomery took exception to Pocan's remarks, saying that he shouldn't "portray the companies in Green Bay and their union workers" as "anything less than the heart and soul" of the city.

Montgomery said having only seen the bill for the first time last night he didn't have time to inquire with companies in his area whether they avoided state taxes, and he would certainly support making them pay their fair share if that was the case. But he said his instincts tell them they are not.

"Your assertion as to why we need to do combined reporting is to go after those people who set up P.O. boxes ... I'll stand shoulder to shoulder and go after them all day long."

Rep. Vos also attacked the bill, saying that it includes $10 in tax increases for every $1 in spending cuts.

"It's a pork-filled spending bill," he said.

Vos added that anyone who thinks government spending can boost an economy out of a recession is either "smoking something" or "has lived in Madison way too long."

-- By Greg Bump