The negotiations between republican lawmakers and governor Evers over the state budget broke down last week and it’s just as well. Republicans had nothing to gain and Evers had nothing to lose. Republicans wanted assurances from Evers that he wouldn’t veto their tax cut plan, and Evers wanted to increase total spending by 20 billion dollars (20% more than the current budget). Even if republicans got assurances from Evers, his word is worthless. He stabbed them in the back after they had assurances for the last state budget. Anyone remember the 400-year-veto stunt? As far as Evers is concerned, he doesn’t need to convince republicans to increase spending. They’re already doing it. So far, they’ve just gotten low cost, routine items on the budget, and they’ve already increased spending by $1.3 billion. Looks like the budget was going to balloon with or without negotiating. Check mate, Evers.