Assembly Majority Leader Tom Nelson and Assembly Minority Leader Jeff Fitzgerald offered far different viewpoints on this budget.

Nelson said this is a "fair share budget" that asks everyone "to pay their fair share and sacrifice their fair share."

He said the fiscal mess the state is in is due to "8 years of mismanagement in Washington, the Bush-Cheney legacy." Passing a balanced budget would be difficult "no matter what party is in charge."

Nelson, of Kaukauna, said the Dems "reached out time and again" to Republicans for constructive ideas about amending the budget.

"Those entreaties were rejected," he said.

Nelson said the time for "potshots and armchair quarterbacking" is over.

"Give me your alternative," he said. "What is your alternative budget."

Fitzgerald, R-Horicon, termed Nelson's comments "political spin," but said the sacrifices asked of people in this budget go beyond the fair share.

Fitzgerald said the Dem budget will cause property tax bills to soar because of the QEO elimination and re-jiggering of the revenue caps. He said the gas tax and phone tax and garbage tipping fee will directly impact the middle class.

"Let me tell you, people can't give a little bit more," he said.

Fitzgerald said the Democrats are right about this being a historic budget.

"You will vote to pass the largest tax increase in the history of Wisconsin tonight," he said.

Fitzgerald also blasted the earmarks in the budget he said were necessary to help the Dems reach a majority to pass the budget.

"$37 million in earmarks and pork projects to get to 50 (votes)? That's what happened," he said.

As for talk of bipartisanship, Fitzgerald said he would have been willing to consider working with Dems if they had agreed to remove policy items, but they refused.

-- By Greg Bump