MONROE - State Rep. Brett Davis, R-Oregon, says the state budget plan passed Friday by the Assembly and a day earlier by the Senate "takes our state in the wrong direction."
Davis and all other Republicans present Friday voted against the proposal.
"I voted against the budget bill for a variety of reasons," Davis said in a statement, "but most importantly I felt it did too little to create jobs and promote economic recovery for our state."
Davis said the budget increases total spending by 6 percent and raises taxes and fees by more than $2 billion - $1.5 billion of that coming in property taxes. He also said the plan leaves a $2.26 billion structural deficit heading into the next budget cycle, and fills budget holes with more than $2.2 billion in one-time federal money.
"This budget takes our state in the wrong direction by not doing more to solve our current fiscal problems and create jobs," Davis said. "Rather than simply raising taxes, we need to find better, more innovative ways to deliver government services efficiently and focus our attention on effective ways to strengthen our economy.
"I am confident that in time our state's economy will recover, but this budget makes matters worse and may lengthen our recession."
Rep. Steve Hilgenberg, D-Dodgeville, voted in support of the budget.
Davis and all other Republicans present Friday voted against the proposal.
"I voted against the budget bill for a variety of reasons," Davis said in a statement, "but most importantly I felt it did too little to create jobs and promote economic recovery for our state."
Davis said the budget increases total spending by 6 percent and raises taxes and fees by more than $2 billion - $1.5 billion of that coming in property taxes. He also said the plan leaves a $2.26 billion structural deficit heading into the next budget cycle, and fills budget holes with more than $2.2 billion in one-time federal money.
"This budget takes our state in the wrong direction by not doing more to solve our current fiscal problems and create jobs," Davis said. "Rather than simply raising taxes, we need to find better, more innovative ways to deliver government services efficiently and focus our attention on effective ways to strengthen our economy.
"I am confident that in time our state's economy will recover, but this budget makes matters worse and may lengthen our recession."
Rep. Steve Hilgenberg, D-Dodgeville, voted in support of the budget.