Biennial Budget 2011-2013

• Overview of Budget Process
• Main DAWN WI State Budget Page
• Survival Coalition Budget Papers

Overview of Budget Process

The process to develop and pass the state budget is very long and complex and takes over a year to complete. The next biennial budget will begin July 1, 2011 and end June 30, 2013.

1. STATE AGENCIES DEVELOP BUDGET PROPOSALS. (March-September)
   The state agencies that administer programs, such as the Department of Health and Family Services, develop budget proposals to submit to the Department of Administration. These proposals impact programs serving people with disabilities, for example the Community Options Program and Birth to Three Program.
2. DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION DEVELOPS BUDGET BILL. (September -February)
   The Department of Administration takes the budget proposals from the state agencies and creates the budget bill to submit to the Legislature.
3. GOVERNOR INTRODUCES THE BIENNIAL BUDGET BILL TO THE LEGISLATURE. (March) [Issue Summary (coming soon)]
   The Governor begins the budget process by introducing the biennial budget to the Wisconsin Legislature. The Governor's budget proposal is referred to the Joint Finance Committee .
4. BUDGET IS SENT TO THE JOINT FINANCE COMMITTEE (February)
   The Joint Finance Committee (JFC) is a sixteen-member committee made up of 8 representatives from the Assembly and 8 representatives from the Senate. The JFC has the initial responsibility of reviewing the Governor's biennial budget. After holding a series of public hearings, the JFC introduces its own version of the budget as a substitute amendment to be considered by the Legislature. The JFC usually finishes their work by late May.
5. BUDGET BILL SENT TO FULL LEGISLATURE. (approx. May)
   After the Joint Finance Committee completes its work, the budget bill is sent to the Legislature for debate. The Senate and the Assembly take turns considering the JFC budget. Each item can be maintained, deleted or amended.

The Senate and the Assembly have traditionally used the "caucus rule" when amending the budget. This means that the party that is in the majority reviews and changes the budget first. A majority of the party's votes is required to make any changes to the JFC's version of the budget bill. The votes in caucus are not available to the public. The full Senate and Assembly then consider the amended bill. A majority vote of all members in each house is required to pass the budget bill.

1. CONFERENCE COMMITTEE RESOLUTION AND VOTE
   Any differences between the Senate and the Assembly on changes to the budget must be settled by a conference committee. The conference committee is usually composed of the Senate and Assembly Leadership. When the conference committee finishes its work, it issues an unamendable resolution as the final budget that each house considers for passage. A majority of all the members of each house must pass the final version of the bill.
   
   
2. GOVERNOR'S VETOES
   Once both the Senate and the Assembly pass the budget bill, it is sent to the Governor for his signature. The Governor may sign the budget bill, veto it in its entirety or use partial vetoes. A two-thirds vote in each house is required to override the governor's veto.