Fiscal Report Indicates Budget Surplus
Wisconsin ended the fiscal year with a $313.8 million surplus, according to an annual fiscal report released by the Department of Administration.
“We are pleased to announce that Wisconsin is ending the fiscal year with a positive balance,” said DOA Secretary Scott Neitzel in a written statement. “As we continue to work on the next budget, Governor Walker and the administration remain committed to making sounds fiscal decisions as we prioritize being good stewards of the taxpayers’ money.”
The report also shows the state spent $15.3 billion, which was less than the $15.4 billion state officials anticipated spending.
The numbers come as welcomed news to Republican state legislators, who are likely hoping voters take notice before heading to polls on November 8th.
Some, however, are critical of the numbers. Newspapers are reporting that not every state agency has finalized its spending numbers from the fiscal year. In other words, the report is relying on incomplete spending totals. The Department of Administration said “final adjustments” may be made to the report by November 20.