This post originally appeared at https://reforminggovernment.org/explain-it-to-me-joint-finance-committee-budget-hearings/

Additional context from IRG’s Director of State Budget and Government Reform, Alex Ignatowski

What happened? This week the Joint Finance Committee held the first agency hearings for the 2023-2025 state budget. Joint Finance covered the budget proposals of the Department of Corrections, Department of Transportation, Department of Administration, and the Department of Safety and Professional Services.

Why is it important? The hearings are an opportunity for committee members to ask questions to agency leadership, offer alternatives and discuss items in Governor Evers proposed budget. This is the beginning of the process by which the committee amends the budget bill.

What’s next? The Joint Finance Committee will be holding the first of four public hearings on the budget on Wednesday, April 5 at the Waukesha County Expo Center at 10:00am.