MONROE - Local legislators on both sides of the political aisle said Gov. Jim Doyle's speech Tuesday shows the need to make tough choices to help settle the state's $5.7 billion deficit.
Doyle presented his budget to the Legislature on Tuesday and laid out his plans for solving the budget issue.
"I think his speech shows that these are really tough times," Sen. Jon Erpenbach, D-Waunakee, said. "There weren't any shell games. He was very upfront with us."
Erpenbach said Doyle's cuts were "very responsible" and would lead to a balanced budget. It also sets up the state for the future.
"It puts us in a good position when the economy gets better," he said.
Rep . Steve Hilgenberg, D-Dodgeville, said Doyle told the legislators the state faces some tough times and will have to make some hard decisions.
"You have to prioritize," Hilgenberg said. "He (Doyle) laid out what he felt the state has to protect."
Hilgenberg said Doyle's budget stressed the importance of health care, public safety and education.
At the same time, he said, Doyle doesn't plan to balance the budget with tax increases to the middle class. That was something Hilgenberg supports, he said.
"The goal is to leave the middle class in better shape," he said.
Rep. Brett Davis, R-Oregon, said the state faces challenging economic times and said the governor's speech was good, but he hoped for more details.
He said the state needs to tighten its belt, just as local families and businesses are making tough choices.
"It's time for the state to do the same," he added.
Davis said he looks forward to working with Democrats and Republicans to help the state overcome the deficit. His comments were echoed by Hilgenberg.
"I'm looking forward to getting to work," he said.
Erpenbach said Doyle's proposals will go to the joint finance committee and then to the Assembly and the Senate. He expects both houses to finish work on the plan by June.
In the end, Erpenbach said, he expects Doyle's proposals to be enacted. Democrats have majority control of both the Assembly and Senate.
Doyle presented his budget to the Legislature on Tuesday and laid out his plans for solving the budget issue.
"I think his speech shows that these are really tough times," Sen. Jon Erpenbach, D-Waunakee, said. "There weren't any shell games. He was very upfront with us."
Erpenbach said Doyle's cuts were "very responsible" and would lead to a balanced budget. It also sets up the state for the future.
"It puts us in a good position when the economy gets better," he said.
Rep . Steve Hilgenberg, D-Dodgeville, said Doyle told the legislators the state faces some tough times and will have to make some hard decisions.
"You have to prioritize," Hilgenberg said. "He (Doyle) laid out what he felt the state has to protect."
Hilgenberg said Doyle's budget stressed the importance of health care, public safety and education.
At the same time, he said, Doyle doesn't plan to balance the budget with tax increases to the middle class. That was something Hilgenberg supports, he said.
"The goal is to leave the middle class in better shape," he said.
Rep. Brett Davis, R-Oregon, said the state faces challenging economic times and said the governor's speech was good, but he hoped for more details.
He said the state needs to tighten its belt, just as local families and businesses are making tough choices.
"It's time for the state to do the same," he added.
Davis said he looks forward to working with Democrats and Republicans to help the state overcome the deficit. His comments were echoed by Hilgenberg.
"I'm looking forward to getting to work," he said.
Erpenbach said Doyle's proposals will go to the joint finance committee and then to the Assembly and the Senate. He expects both houses to finish work on the plan by June.
In the end, Erpenbach said, he expects Doyle's proposals to be enacted. Democrats have majority control of both the Assembly and Senate.