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For 43 Wisconsin Republican lawmakers, the urge to bash Illinois and go on record against bailouts for state governments during the coronavirus pandemic was just too good to pass up.
The lawmakers signed on to a letter sent Friday to the members of Wisconsin’s Congressional delegation asking them to reject a bailout package for the states.
A potential federal bailout of the states has become a political flash point during the coronavirus pandemic.
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“No one knows how long and how deep this economic crisis due to to COVID-19 will be, and Wisconsin is not immune to these fiscal challenges,” the letter said. “However, we do know our neighbors to the south have spent decades spending and borrowing recklessly.
“After years of failing to fund their overly generous pension system, Illinois is already asking for the federal government to bail them out of these series of poor financial decisions. The State Senate in Illinois has requested $44 billion – and that’s just for one state. Wisconsinites can’t afford to bailout reckless budgeting from other states.
“Wisconsin taxpayers should not be responsible for funding bailouts for irresponsible states across the country, like Illinois, New York and California. Please stand with Wisconsin taxpayers and reject the multi-trillion dollar bailouts being considered by Congress.”
Among those signing on was Tom Tiffany, who is running against Democrat Tricia Zunker for the vacant House seat in the 7th Congressional Delegation.
Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, who is running for Congress in the 5th district, and Assembly Speaker Robin Vos did not sign the letter. The legislative leaders will have to deal with the financial fallout to the state’s budget as a result of steep revenue declines caused by the pandemic.
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