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• Budget puts Doyle in awkward spot as deadline nears
• Suspect arrested in death of toddler

By Shawn Johnson

Wisconsin Public Radio

MADISON -- Governor Jim Doyle is expected to sign Wisconsin's state budget Monday, marking the first time in more than three decades a budget was completed before the start of the new fiscal year.

The governor could also veto some pieces that were agreed to by fellow Democrats.

During his first term, Doyle had used his veto pen to gut parts of the budgets passed by majority Republicans in the Senate and Assembly. When the Legislature was under split control, his vetoes were more nuanced and agreed to ahead of time to help broker a budget deal.

This year is new territory in the sense that whatever the governor vetoes will be something that someone in his own party wanted.

Assembly Budget Committee Co-Chairman Mark Pocan says there's a chance the governor could make substantive changes, but he guesses that Doyle has a similar value set as the Legislature, namely to help create jobs and protect working families. Pocan says this budget accomplishes that and he thinks the governor will be with lawmakers in very large part.

But there are differences among Democrats. Late last week legislators and interest groups were busy petitioning the governor's office to change the budget more to their liking.

The governor hasn't had much time to work on vetoes, as the Senate passed the budget last Thursday and the Assembly signed off on it Friday night. But Doyle has to sign it Monday or the state stands to lose out on millions of dollars in federal funding.

Pierce County and Dakota County (Minn.) authorities are working together to investigate the death of an 18-month-old boy last week.

A 22-year-old man, who is not the biological father of the child, was taken into custody Saturday and is being held by the Dakota County Sheriff's Department pending charges. The case is being treated as a homicide, according to a press release from Dakota County Chief Deputy Sheriff Dave Bellows.

"We are working with Dakota County on this," said Pierce County Chief Deputy Neil Gulbranson Monday afternoon. He said more information may be available later this week.

The press release says Dakota County officers were notified by Pierce County officers that the boy had died in their county June 24.

The child was taken to the Ramsey County Medical Examiner's Office where an autopsy was conducted.

According to the press release, multiple injuries, including injuries to the brain and body, were found. Earlier injuries that had healed were also found.

Detectives conducted multiple interviews of the child's family members and extended family.

After an interview Saturday evening at the Dakota County Sheriff's Department, the 22-year-old Minnesota man was taken into custody. The case will be sent to the Dakota County Attorney for changing.

"This case presented unique challenges to our detectives, but their diligence in seeking out the truth resulted in the arrest of this suspect," said Bellows.