MADISON, Wis. (CBS 58) -- At a luncheon event Thursday, Gov. Tony Evers indicated he still has a clear red line in ongoing talks with Republicans over the state's projected $2.5 billion surplus, and he signaled there's friction between him and legislative Democrats over his push to ban partisan gerrymandering.

Evers spoke for nearly an hour at a WisPolitics forum down the street from the state Capitol.

On the surplus negotiations, Evers said he'd hoped to talk with GOP legislative leaders, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu within the next couple of weeks.

The biggest holdup right now is Evers' insistence a deal include a substantial increase in the funding for general education aid. That fund is tied to property tax, so that's one way to also provide property tax relief.

Republicans instead favor more funding for a School Levy Tax Credit, which goes straight to property owners.

Republicans also say that fund is more fair because the general equalization aid formula considers factors like poverty, meaning districts like Milwaukee and Beloit get a bigger share.

The real divide is between Evers and Senate Republicans, who want to use most of the surplus to send income tax rebate checks to taxpayers. Evers on Thursday was asked if an eventual agreement could include rebate checks, and he replied, "Not in my world."

"I don't believe at this point that is wise," Evers added. "We can use that money better."

CBS 58

Friction on redistricting

An out-of-the-ordinary sight at Evers' final State of the State address earlier this month was Democrats not clapping for a grand announcement from the governor.

Evers proclaimed he would be calling a special session later this spring to have the Legislature vote on a constitutional amendment that would ban lawmakers from rigging the state's congressional and legislative maps to favor their party.

Hardly any Republicans or Democrats applauded the announcement.

On Thursday, Evers indicated Democrats do indeed oppose his push to ban partisan gerrymandering.

Democrats this year hope to win control of the Legislature for the first time since 2010, and parties in power during U.S. Census years get to draw the state's voting maps for the next decade.

Speaking to reporters after the event, Evers said he didn't notice Democrats' chilly response to his announcement, but he said he'd heard members of his party don't back his plan to amend the state constitution.

"Through the grapevine, yeah," Evers said when asked if he's gotten pushback from Democrats. "That's basically what I know."

On Thursday, Assembly Minority Leader Greta Neubauer did not respond to a request for comment. Senate Minority Leader Dianne Hesselbein said in a statement she was waiting for more details. 

"We are looking forward to seeing the actual proposal from the Governor," Hesselbein said. "At which point we will review it."

Evers has not offered any specifics about what a ban on gerrymandering would look like. When asked who would define gerrymandering under the constitution, Evers just expressed optimism.

"Well, we'll work with anybody to make that happen, to get the approval of the Legislature," Evers said. "So, if people are interested in it, let's sit down and figure it out. We can do it."

Throughout eight years as governor, Republicans in control of the Legislature have consistently gaveled out of Evers' special sessions without taking action on issues ranging from abortion and Medicaid expansion to assistance for farmers.

Sports betting uncertainty

Last week, the Assembly passed a bill legalizing online sports betting.

Under the bill, people would be able to wager on sports remotely, as long as they were using a platform connected to a server on tribal land.

There is uncertainty as to whether there is enough support in the Senate for the bill to pass.

Evers threw even more cold water on the bill's chances Thursday. He said he believed some of the state's tribes have been less involved in the conversation than others.

"We have to engage the tribes," Evers said. "We have to have them at the table, and to my knowledge, they're not at the table."

Evers did not specify which tribe or tribes were not having the same level of access.

Evers dismisses new Marquette poll

A new poll from the Marquette Law School this week found two-thirds of Democratic voters still don't know who they want to replace Evers.

The poll found State Rep. Francesca Hong (D-Madison) in the early lead with support from 11% of respondents, closely followed by former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes with 10%. Current Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez was in third place with 6%.

However, 65% of respondents said they were still undecided. Evers indicated he doesn't put much stock into the early polling.

"I hate to even say this out loud," Evers said when asked about the poll results. "What a waste of a poll. I mean, what would you expect."

Evers then backtracked to take a more diplomatic approach, calling the Marquette Poll, itself, "great."

Perhaps one reason Evers was so dismissive of the results is because in the February 2018 poll, only 33% of Democratic voters said they knew enough about Evers to even have an opinion of him.

Nearly eight months later, he was elected governor.