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Assembly Republicans will accept Gov. Scott Walker's offer to use $200 million slated for tax cuts for road projects instead, they told the governor in a letter Thursday.

The governor made the offer Wednesday during a meeting with Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, and Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, R-Juneau, in an effort to break an impasse between the two houses primarily over how to fund roads projects.

"The proposal that you outlined yesterday is a positive step forward in our desire to find a long-term solution and we believe the leadership that you have displayed has bridged the gap between our two houses," Assembly Republicans wrote.

Assembly Republicans have been fiercely against Walker's and Senate Republicans' proposals to borrow millions in the 2017-19 state budget without increasing revenue sources to pay for the projects. Senate Republicans put forward their own budget proposal this week that included $712 million in new bonding for roads.

Thursday's letter indicated Walker offered not to add any new borrowing for roads with finding a "sustainable way" to pay for the state's debt.

The Assembly's acceptance could be a breakthrough in the budget stalemate, which has caused a new state spending plan to be delayed by 20 days, but there was no word from Senate Republicans on whether they would agree to Walker's proposal.

Fitzgerald is reviewing the Assembly Republicans' letter and Senate Republicans are scheduled to discuss budget issues at 3:30 p.m., according to Fitzgerald spokeswoman Myranda Tanck.

Meanwhile, Joint Finance Committee co-chairman Rep. John Nygren, R-Marinette, sent a letter to co-chairwoman Sen. Alberta Darling, R-River Hills, asking that the committee resume its work writing the 2017-19 state budget as early as next week in light of Walker's offer.

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Budget breakthrough? Assembly Republicans accept Scott Walker's offer for roads - Madison.com