Legislature’s budget panel holds public hearing

GREENDALE, Wis. (AP) — Hundreds of people are attending the first public hearing on Gov. Scott Walker’s two-year budget proposal.

Advocacy groups and others criticized Walker’s proposal at the outset of Thursday’s hearing. They spoke out against Walker’s plan to expand the state’s voucher school program and turn down federal funding for a Medicaid expansion.

The Republican-controlled Joint Finance Committee is scheduled to take comment for eight hours Thursday.

The three other hearings are Monday at Lambeau Field, Wednesday in Lake Delton and April 18 in Baldwin.

After those hearings, the committee will return to Madison and begin to vote on changes to Walker’s proposal.