The beancounters in Madison are now projecting $422.3 million less in tax collections for this two year budget period than their earlier estimates. This decline of approximately one percent could just be a blip or it could foreshadow tougher times ahead now that the COVID and stimulus-related federal funds have been flushed through state and local governments.
One thing most people think the government does do right is infrastructure. Incumbents of both parties like to stand by large checks and use oversized scissors to cut ribbons for large projects. There’s a massive project that will help folks in Superior and surrounding communities, the Blatnik Bridge. The President of the United States will be in Superior today to announce a billion dollar grant to help fund its replacement. No word if he’s bringing a ten-foot novelty check.
And it’s been a big week for Wisconsin’s professional sports teams. The Packers, ousted from the playoffs, fired the defensive coordinator and their strength and conditioning coordinator, and brought in a new player to compete for the kicker position (And they announced all this in the span of about five hours). The Brewers shelled out some big bucks for a big hitting free agent first baseman, and the Bucks fired their coach and may be bringing in a Milwaukee college star to replace him.
These stories, and more, in today’s Key Reads.
LFB now projects $3.25 billion surplus, down from $4 billion – JR Ross, WisPolitics
Assembly Republicans approve 99% of Evers’ maps; Democrats vote no – Benjamin Yount, The Center Square
DNR says fish and wildlife account is approaching a roughly $16M deficit – Danielle Kaeding, WPR
Biden revisits decaying Wisconsin bridge to announce $5B for infrastructure in election year pitch – Seung Min Kim and Scott Bauer, Associated Press
No longer playing with house money, Matt LaFleur faces a big choice – Jon Meerdink, ACME Packing Company
Former Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Rhys Hoskins agrees to contract with Milwaukee Brewers, AP source says – Tom Ignudo, The Associated Press
Source: Doc Rivers’ contract to coach Milwaukee Bucks to be worth $40M through 2026-27 season – CBS58 Sports
