State Sen. Kelda Roys Blasts GOP Budget Plans and Priorities

It’s a candid and passionate discussion about the state budget and Republican priorities just as Wisconsin begins a new budget cycle without a new budget. The Joint Finance Committee has reportedly scheduled Tuesday, July 1 at 9 a.m. to meet and finalize the budget. State Senator Kelda Roys blasts the GOP budget plans while joining Pat Kreitlow of Mornings with Pat Kreitlow along with Trygve Olson of The Lincoln Project – who both stepped in as guest hosts of The Todd Allbaugh Show. 

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Listen to the full interview starting at the halfway mark here:

Kreitlow and Olson asked Roys whether GOP leaders had reached out to her for Democratic support to pass a new state budget. She did not hold back while answering. 

“Not mine,” she said. “And we are behind schedule. Republicans have dragged their feet with their on-again, off-again unwillingness to negotiate.”

Democratic state senator says he has no idea what is in the budget that's expected to be voted on in the Legislature as soon as Wednesday. https://t.co/BizL5c95yo

— Scott Bauer (@sbauerAP) June 30, 2025

The Democratic lawmaker from Madison did express cautious optimism a budget might pass this week, but made it clear that any plan deserving support must include key investments—particularly in public schools, childcare, and the University of Wisconsin system.

“This budget is horrendous,” Roys explained. “It has zero increase in general school aids. That’s a functional cut, and it keeps pushing school districts to ask local taxpayers to fill in the gap.”

Roys pointed to campus closures and teacher shortages as consequences of long-term underfunding. And she stressed the need for direct support to stabilize Wisconsin’s childcare industry. It is also something Governor Evers has said is non-negotiable.

“Budgets reflect priorities,” Olson said. “So what are Republicans prioritizing? It’s not education. It’s not the economy. It’s not working families.”

“They’re prioritizing tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires,” Roys replied. “This is a massive wealth transfer. People like Elon Musk and Donald Trump get more tax breaks, while Wisconsinites pay the price—literally.”

As the conversation turned to recent state Supreme Court decisions, Roys expressed frustration with Republican efforts to sidestep democratic norms. She warned legislative games around budgeting and agency oversight could turn into a “slush fund” situation if left unchecked.

And with the looming threat of Medicaid cuts at the federal level, Roys said she’s particularly concerned for rural hospitals, nursing homes, and working families who will be the first to feel the impact. 

“All of us will be paying more in taxes and higher premiums, just so the ultra-wealthy can get more breaks,” she said.

Olson pointed out how these policy decisions go far beyond partisan fights.

“They’re gutting what makes Wisconsin great,” he said, and Roys agreed. 

“This isn’t about left or right—it’s about whether communities across Wisconsin can still thrive,” she said. “And that’s worth fighting for.”