The State of Wisconsin's
two-year budget cycle
Red text - UW System/campus steps
BUDGET YEAR 1 (e.g., 2004-2005)
May-June
State Budget Office issues Budget Policy Instructions
June-July
Final budget materials and documents prepared by UW System
July-August
State agencies develop budget requests
August
Regent decisions on biennial budget request
August 31
State agencies submit budget requests to the Department of Administration (DOA)
November-December
Budget requests and revenue estimates published
December-January
Governor reviews agency requests and prepares budget recommendations
February
Governor submits budget recommendations to legislature
The Governor's budget will be the starting point for
budget discussions and decisions.
February-March-April
Joint Finance Committee and other legislative committees hold public
hearings and act on Budget Bill
Many of these hearings will be held throughout the state; the
public is invited to testify.
May
Joint Finance Committee acts on Budget Bill and sends to full Legislature
Most changes made to the Governor's recommendations occur in Joint Finance.
June
Legislature considers Budget Bill
The bill will be considered by one house before being sent to the other house for consideration. A conference committee made up of leaders from
both houses will reach agreement on a final version, which is then adopted by both
houses.
BUDGET YEAR 2 (e.g., 2005-2006)
July
Legislature passes Budget Bill
August
Governor exercises partial veto authority and signs Budget Bill
Most provisions become effective immediately.
August-November
UW System/campus determine priorities and new initiatives for next biennial budget
October-November
Legislature holds item veto session
November-April
Analyses and background materials developed by UW System/campus
November-December-January
Governor's Office and state agencies suggest budget adjustments for second year of biennial budget
March-April
Legislature considers budget adjustments
April-May
UW System/campus final decisions on budget requests
April
Legislature acts on budget adjustments and adjourns