Walker's Budget Address: What Did You Think?
Walker focused on job creation, mining, transforming education, and infrastructure, but what did you think of his speech? And if you missed it, we've got the whole transcript.
Gov. Scott Walker gave his budget address tonight at the state capitol, which focused on job creation, workforce development, transforming education, government reform and investing in infrastructure.
He stressed the need for the passage of a mining bill, making Medicaid into more of a safety net, allocating more money for deer management, and tying K-12 school funding with their performance.
Here are some of the highlights from Walker's speech:
"Bottom line—I want more freedom and prosperity for all. Improving the economy is my number one priority. Over the past two years, we lowered our overall tax burden, we streamlined the regulatory process—so what we do enforce is about common sense and not government red tape—and we put limits on lawsuit abuse that was a hurdle for small businesses and farmers."
"Think about it—more money in the hands of taxpayers will likely drive greater demand for goods and services, which will likely lead to greater production and eventually more hiring of employees. Overall, this would lead to more jobs for the people of Wisconsin."
"As we work to create more jobs, we need people with the skills to fill the jobs. Our budget includes nearly $100 million in new state support for workforce development."
Some state Democrats have already started criticizing Walker's biennial budget because of cuts to Medicaid and wanting to expand the school voucher program, according to a story in the Green Bay Press Gazette.
Representatives React
Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, issued a statement at the conclusion of Walker's address, praising the past budget as providing a road map to recovery and this budget as fulfilling promises made.
"Our last budget allowed us to make deposits into the rainy day fund, eliminate a structural deficit and finish with a surplus; all without raising taxes," he wrote. "We want to do more to help the people of Wisconsin, which is why our 2013-2015 budget will include an income tax cut for the average state resident. I believe that our constituents know best how to use their money, and have said repeatedly that any surpluses should stay in the taxpayers’ pockets."
But, Rep. Cory Mason, D-Racine, was deeply disappointed in the governor's proposed budget, saying the tax cut for those making $200,000 doesn't fit most people's definition of middle class and criticizing the expansion of education vouchers.
"I don't know what color the sky is in Gov. Walker's world, but here in Racine, $200,000 is well above middle class," he told Patch after the address. "After gutting education two years ago, that line item remains rather flat, which is good, but expanding vouchers just puts more public education dollars into private education and shows the governor does not support our public schools."
Rep. Tom Weatherston, R-Caledonia, was also in favor of the governor's ideas.
"I am encouraged by the Governor’s budget because it will promote job creation across the state by funding economic development and workforce training initiatives," he said in a written statement after the address. "I am especially interested in the income tax plan that will help by providing much needed tax relief for many families in my district.”
Sen. John Lehman, D-Racine, sided with fellow Democrats, deriding Walker's support for school voucher programs and pushing for better ideas on how to create more jobs across the state. He also released a written statement.
"The Governor’s education message was heard loud and clear – up to $1,400 more taxpayer dollars per student for unaccountable, underperforming voucher schools and $0 for public school students," he said. "The Governor is pushing the same policies that keep Wisconsin dead last in job creation. We can do better, instead of making new empty promises to cut taxes, Governor Walker should focus more on improving his dismal job creation numbers to fulfill his 250,000 job promise."
What did you think of Walker's speech?
Fred Fischer
10:31 pm on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
He wanna take money from the schools and put it in the pockets of the rich and affluent.
Brian Dey
5:30 am on Thursday, February 21, 2013
with reps like Mason and Lehman, Racine deserves its ranking of having the worst unemployment. Mr. Mason and Mr. Lehman, what have you done to contribute to job creation? Squat.
And as far as education, apparently they did not read the 15th Comparative Analysis that clearly shows that RUSD revenue is and has been rising for the past 20 years. Even with losing 1500 kids to vouchers and open enrollment.. Just since 2007, when the per pupil expenditure was $9,000, the per pupil expenditure is over $13,000, or $4,000 more. Even with Act 10, the funding levls keep rising.
That is the kind of baffoons the city of Racine elects. Obviously can't read or do math... Like i said, the city gets what it deserves.
Richard Head
9:49 am on Thursday, February 21, 2013
Wisconsin school districts are increasingly tapping a law that has allowed them to spend at least $134.5 million beyond revenue limits without going to a referendum, a Gannett Wisconsin Media review found.
The law, approved by the Legislature in 2009, lets districts raise local property taxes above limits set by the state — as long as the money pays for energy conservation projects.
http://www.postcrescent.com/article/20121125/APC0101/311250242/School-districts-using-little-known-law-tax-millions-energy-projects-without-going-referendum
The City of Racine has a serious spending problem. Period. They want a 5% tax increase - indefinitely. LOL
http://racineexposed.wordpress.com/2013/02/18/why-democracies-fail/
Richard Head
2:41 pm on Thursday, February 21, 2013
Look at what Racine City Administrator Tom Friedel said:
Without more shared revenue, “Any increase that we incur in expenses — whether that be the Wisconsin Retirement System contributions going up, or cost of fuel or electricity increasing — any of those costs that we incur will have to be borne by the property taxpayers,” Friedel said.
WOW! And they just gave $1.6M to Team Porters. Makes you wonder if things are getting so tight in Racine that they might miss payroll, or default? Foreclosures are happening at the rate of more than one per day.
http://racineinruins.wordpress.com/2013/02/12/property-reports-113-time-to-cut-and-run/
Racine had 37 foreclosures in January and they normally run one per day. You can get a house there for cheap! Most go for $50,000 or under. $30,000 is common.
Tuco
8:11 am on Thursday, February 21, 2013
I read the comments by our local reps this morning in the JT. Can't say I was surprised by mason, lehman, and wirch. All three are truly anti-jobs, anti-middle class buffoons. If you really want to see a joke in action, follow mason on facebook. Go back and read his moronic comments during the speech. I'm surprised he was able to even make a comment after the speech because he was too busy Walker-bashing during the speech.
There's an old saying boys--If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem.
All 3 of these jokers are part of the problem.
Vos and weatherston must have heard a different speech. Both mentioned jobs and lower taxes.
Sign me fed up with the Racine reps.
And answer me this: Why was barca's comments included? He does not represent Racine. He's just another loudmouth government leech!
Heather Asiyanbi
8:40 am on Thursday, February 21, 2013
@Tuco - while Rep. Barca's comments were not included in this story, he does represent an area of Mount Pleasant in Racine County.
Jayant
7:41 am on Saturday, February 23, 2013
Tuco,You guys and gals in Wisconsin have elected greedy republicans who care not for anyone but themselves.You have the most people trying to leave the state because of the a-holes you,ve elected.One of the worst states for job creation,and of course crazies like yourself which for some reason keeps electing Walker types to rip off your state.Congradulations,good show..not!
GearHead
9:15 am on Thursday, February 21, 2013
Pretty good, considering the hand Walker was dealt having to rescue the last budget. I shudder to think what kind of shape we'd be in if the likes of Mason and Lehmen were let anywhere near the budget. Some of us haven't forgotten the 2 billion tax increase, 3.8 billion deficit hole left behind, raiding segregated funds, and every fee increase imaginable. Lehman in particular had much to do with this debacle, only to tell us how proud of it he was.
Fortunately the adults have been in charge since then, while Mason, Lehman and Wirch are left to sputter and foaminate. They sound ridiculous.
Jayant
7:53 am on Saturday, February 23, 2013
Wisconsin has one of the worst records for job creation in the country.Wisconsin has the most people trying to leave the state in the nation.Wisconsin is slowly stripping women of their rights .Wisconsin is actively selling out to special interest who care not about your air,water,or land..or wallets.Only how much money they can make exploiting your state.Walker and his ilk were elected by the cave men and women of wisconsin,and everyone suffers because of that.
Brian Dey
6:33 am on Monday, February 25, 2013
Under Democratic Governor Jim Doyle, the job losses were a staggering 11% unemployment. An envirnoment existed that chased businesses en masse to leave the state. That trend has reversed and we have one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country. That we have stopped the exodus of jobs and and have turned the corner on job creation is stunning considering the crappy economy that Obam continues to ignore. Nice try, but once again, the left is out of touch with reality.
The Donny Show
9:20 am on Thursday, February 21, 2013
I dont think Walker went far enough.
He needs to cut the income tax totally.
Richard Head
9:40 am on Thursday, February 21, 2013
HEAR! HEAR!
And I'm sure that thousands of former State employees who have reaped the benefits of retiring to States with NO income tax, like Florida, Tennessee, Texas and Nevada can attest to that.
OF course, if Wisconsin IS going to stay with the income tax, then it needs to reach out and tax it's retirement income wherever it goes - it's only fair to those that stay true to the State that benefits them.
Jayant
7:58 am on Saturday, February 23, 2013
Your income tax funds many things you take for granted.Including our armed services,schools,postal service,regulatory personal to keep big business from polluting your water ,air,land and bodies.What the hell planet did you escape from.Go back,please.
GearHead
9:21 am on Thursday, February 21, 2013
BTW Denise, where is the link to the transcript? I'm too blind this morning, I guess.
John Taxthepoor
10:07 am on Thursday, February 21, 2013
Not enough tax cutting. If he doesn't want to eliminate the income tax, then a flat tax for all.Don't work or pay, then you don't eat.
Denise Lockwood
2:54 pm on Thursday, February 21, 2013
@Gear... it's the first link in the story.
CowDung
3:01 pm on Thursday, February 21, 2013
It would be helpful to post links like that as separate items rather than as the text of the article.
SkinnyDude
8:40 pm on Thursday, February 21, 2013
If you compare apples to apples ....aka Walker to Doyle. Walker has cleaned up Doyles Kicking the can and raiding of funds. Paid Back Minnesota and passed act 10 to make responsible budgeting a reality that Cities and Counties can use the tools or not. Bottom line is the Bottom line for the state is fairly achieved a degree of sanity . Our Neighbor ILLINOIS is a sunken ship . Why do so many that work in North Illiniois live in WI .Answer: Because they can. THE REVERSE is not true . People in south WI dont want to live in Liberal Illinios .Even the Liberals. Walker needs to RAM thru as much of the conservative agenda NOW as possible.Because its good for the state to have a solution based governor over a irresponsible one. That point is as plain as the nose on your face.
Jayant
8:03 am on Saturday, February 23, 2013
Where are the jobs promised?You have one of the worst job creations in the union.If Walkers plan was sound where are the jobs?Your Governor is looking like a complete ass.And the people that stand by the ass look lake ass kissers.
SkinnyDude
9:11 am on Sunday, February 24, 2013
@Jayant
We have the worst job creators in history in the White House . The federal Policies have killed jobs though out the entire country . The areas where jobs have been created are RED states . Doyle promised not to raise taxes and passed the biggest tax increase in state history and still robbed trust funds and borrowed money from Minnesota. Again compare Apples to Apples. If I recall , Walker won re election so this is what the majority of the state chose for its leadership twice. Get use to it as the legislation is republican as well. Milwaukee and Madison liberals do not reflect the state.
Fred Fischer
9:10 pm on Thursday, February 21, 2013
We need to make sure Corey Mason and Tom Friedel do not get re-elected! They need to realize we can't keep on pouring massive funding into a failing RUSD. Ppl I talk to including myself, who have young children are terrified to send our kids to RUSD.
Robert Merlin
7:31 am on Friday, February 22, 2013
Not to worry there will be plenty of money after Walker sells our power plants..
BTW- you do know who supplies most of the coal for them don't you? Incase you don't, it's your friendly neighborhood Koch brothers..The ones that financed his campign..
GearHead
7:50 am on Friday, February 22, 2013
Give the Koch thing a rest Robert. Why should the state be in the business of owning power plants? And why don't you figure out how to sell coal? Jealous? Or is the thought of working (in coal or anthing else for that matter) too dirty a subject for you?
CowDung
8:29 am on Friday, February 22, 2013
Robert:
If the state sells off the power plants, doesn't that mean that the new owner can choose a different supplier of coal? How exactly does the sale of the power plants help the Koch brothers?
Selling the plants is likely a good idea--with Obama's EPA policies, they won't be able to burn coal for much longer unless they invest lots of capital to make them cleaner.
Greg
9:17 am on Friday, February 22, 2013
Koch doesn't want the plants, and they never did. That is a lefty lie. One lie in a Big string of lefty lies. Robert, I dare you to prove me wrong.
Jayant
8:07 am on Saturday, February 23, 2013
Greg,You regressive want so much to live in the fifties,why not go to North Korea?They have an ass running their country,and everyone suffers but a small sliver at the top.Thats Walkers model.And you elected the ass to office.
SkinnyDude
7:46 pm on Sunday, February 24, 2013
@ Jayant
I guess ignorance is bliss.....Enjoy :)
Brian Dey
6:36 am on Monday, February 25, 2013
Jaycabt- You have mistaken Walker with Obama. Walker is not President yet, but soon...
morninmist
12:22 pm on Wednesday, February 27, 2013
For your reading enjoyment!
SCOTT WALKER = NO JOBS"
http://www.unitedwisconsin.com/scott-wal...
"Gov. Scott Walker Begins Lent With A Confession - NO HEALTH CARE & NO JOBS"
http://www.politiscoop.com/wisconsin-pol...
"States Private Sector Job Creation SLOWED, Census Data Showed"
http://www.jsonline.com/business/states-...
"One Year Under Scott Walker's Policies Produces No Jobs In Wisconsin"
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/07/20...
"UFF DA! SCOTT WALKER JOBS FAILURE NOW BUTT OF MINNESOTA JOKES"
http://www.politiscoop.com/wisconsin-pol...
Jayant
4:27 pm on Monday, February 25, 2013
Again,Walker is one of the worst states for job creation.Wants to destroy your rivers,land and air with backwards minning,and is number one in people trying to leave this state because of such a screwed up governor.Brien Dey,you gotta be kidding about Walker being president.Look at the nation as a whole,most people would not support a repub period.And this is Obama"s second term.If I saw Walker and tell him to move to North Korea,where their president has screwed most of its citizen so a small sliver of people can live high o the hog.
SkinnyDude
6:32 pm on Friday, March 1, 2013
Obama on the national level is the worst job creator ever. Hence, federal policies do matter as the entire GDP for the nation shrunk last quarter . After spending 6 trillion in 4 years it is clear that business recognize bad policy and are either making plans to just survive rather than to grow in the USA .
morninmist
4:57 pm on Monday, February 25, 2013
Walker does not care if families can not afford health care. He just does NOT care!
@CoffeeBean26
Oops: Gov Walker refusal of Medicaid expansion "forgot" $4200 deductible/copay chippewa.com/news/state-and… #wiunion #wipolitics #ctl #p2 #p2b
Walker's budget raises questions for families losing Medicaid
morninmist
5:03 pm on Monday, February 25, 2013
As longer as Walker pays back his weathy donors, he is happy widdle man.
@Progress2day
Remember Walker's Budget Speech and Tax Cuts? bit.ly/XTIUlE #WalkerMiddleClassFail #wiunion #wiright #p2 #p2b #wipolitics #wigov
So, the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel's on to Governor Walker's sham tax cut to the wealthy in Wisconsin:
Madison - The top 20% of Wisconsin households - those making more than $90,000 a year - would take home more than half of all of Gov. Scott Walker's proposed income tax cut, an analysis has found.
The top 5% of tax filers - those with incomes above $162,000 - would pull in 20% of Walker's more than $300 million tax cut.
But, it looks like someone is trying to spin this whole point from the Governor's office:
"Governor Scott Walker's income tax cuts are targeted toward the bottom three income tax rates - the middle class," Walker spokesman Cullen Werwie said.
...
Jayant
6:38 pm on Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Just listened to a report on the radio about the minning bill shoved thru by the republicans of wisconsin.Does the states residents really want to destroy the land ,water and air just so a Florida based minning company can profit.Wake up Wisconsin,your governor is a complete ass..hole!
morninmist
10:20 am on Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Walker is losing some support:
@Progress2day New Wisconsin poll finds voters evenly split over @GovWalker jsonline.com/blogs/news/193… #wipolitics #wiunion
"In the poll of 1,799 voters in the state taken Feb. 21-24, 48% approve of Walker and 49% disapprove."
morninmist
10:33 am on Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Walker is a scam artist and silly folks fall for his scams!
Scott Walker's creative bookkeeping will scare off businesses: http://bit.ly/ZJ0wEN
Gov. Scott Walker is running for re-election in 2014, so he is peddling the fantasy that Wisconsin has a budget surplus.
He can get away with that comic claim on "Fox News Sunday," where the Washington-based host of the show knows nothing about Manitowoc or Mineral Point or Madison.
But no one who cares about Wisconsin should be taken in by Walker's creative bookkeeping.
There is no surplus. In fact, Walker is trying to sell off state-owned power plants in order to pay for road projects. He’s shuffling money from fund to fund to cover deficits. He’s tossing tens of thousands of working Wisconsinites off health care programs. And he continues to underfund public schools and public services.
That’s not the outline of a balanced budget. That’s a scam intended to fool some of the people some of the time – sort of like Walker’s Wisconsin Economic Development Corp., which seeks to win the confidence of business but can’t even keep track of taxpayer dollars.
Walker’s budget math might work for the governor’s apologists. But it won’t work with business owners who are considering where to locate production and start hiring.
Wisconsin now ranks No. 42 in job growth, trailing every state in the region.
CowDung
12:34 pm on Wednesday, February 27, 2013
...funny how nobody ever seems to mention that our unemployment rate remains one of the best in the region. Instead they keep banging on the same 'low job growth' drum.
I thought Walker was going to be giving away the power plants to his Koch buddies? Has the Lefty talking point propaganda been changed? What does Spudlover have to say about this?
morninmist
12:40 pm on Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Here you go Cow......
ENJOY!
@SpudLovr
Median Wisconsin household would receive a $6 per month tax cut. political-heat.blogspot.com/2013/02/median… #wiunion #wiright #p2 #tcot
morninmist
1:03 pm on Wednesday, February 27, 2013
I am hoping young Wisconsinites are included in dropping Faux "news"!
@politicususa
Fox News Could Be Facing Extinction as 29% of Their Younger Viewers Drop Fox politicususa.com/fox-news-facin… #p2 #p2b #topprog #ctl
morninmist
12:19 pm on Thursday, February 28, 2013
Send Walker a one way ticket OUT OF STATE!
@Progress2day U.S. Depart of Labor: Wisconsin #1 in Jobs Sent Overseas uppitywis.org/blogarticle/us…... #wipolitics @GovWalker #wipolitics
Includuded in Wisconsin's recent TAA-documented jobs sent overseas:
•Ford Motors / Johnson Control: Because Ford Motors moved their production of the Ford Ranger to Brazil and Thailand, Johnson Controls plant in Hudson, which made seats for the Ford Ranger plant in St. Paul, MN has been shuttered and hundreds of jobs have moved to Thailand and Brazil. Johnson Controls also sent their call center jobs in Milwaukee to Manilla.
•Harley Davidson sent their data center jobs department to India.
•Badger Meter (water meter maker in Milwuakee) is sending manufacturing jobs to their Nogoles, Mexico plant.
•Thermo-Fischer in Madison sent production jobs to China and Thermo-Fischer's Two Rivers plant was shuttered and all 249 workers lost their jobs to a Mexico plant.
•Hutchinson Technology (a computer components manufacturer in Eau Claire) is sending jobs to Thailand.
•Koch Brothers' Georgia Pacific is sending their folded paper napkin line jobs to China.
•Regal Beloit Corporation (they make electrical and mechanical motion control products) have sent more jobs to their Mexico plant.
•Wausau Paper's Brokaw Mill shuttered and the jobs were sent to China, resulting in a loss of 450 jobs.
•Brake Parts Inc. is moving their rotor production jobs in Waupaca to China.
CowDung
12:38 pm on Thursday, February 28, 2013
How many of those were union jobs? Certainly it can't be the inflated union wages prompting the moves, can it?
Jayant
4:12 pm on Friday, March 1, 2013
CowDung,Why anyone would support your governor is curious,Why?Do you really think that this guy is supporting you?I,m not a union worker,and there are some issues that can be worked through,as forwarded by the unions.But the union issue is a smoke screen for opening up Wisconsin for outside interest that want only to profit at the expense of the water,land,air,and of course your wallets.I,ll bet that you voted for that dick-head Bush as well.Get your head out of your ass and Wake-Up.
Greg
4:23 pm on Friday, March 1, 2013
Please provide examples of the outside interests.
CowDung
4:26 pm on Friday, March 1, 2013
Not sure it's worth the bother Greg. No details to be found, just repeats of the same lefty talking points, with insults thrown in for good measure.
Greg
4:43 pm on Friday, March 1, 2013
So I should not ask for an explanation of how the smoke screen works?
Jay Sykes
5:04 pm on Friday, March 1, 2013
@Greg... Here is a demo on the smoke cloak. The Gov had Batman and the Boy Wonder do the install.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phBYqaogKT8
Lyle Ruble
5:22 pm on Friday, March 1, 2013
@Greg...What is the Progressive Aid Coalition PAC?
morninmist
10:51 am on Saturday, March 2, 2013
Whow. Good for these WI Republicans.
Wisconsin Senate President Mike Ellis proposes $400 million more for schools http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/senate-president-ellis-proposes-400-million-more-for-schools-el903f3-194394361.html
Madison - State Senate President Mike Ellis offered the outlines Friday of an alternative to Gov. Scott Walker's school funding plan - one that would put nearly $400 million more toward schools over two years.
The plan would be funded with a mix of state money and increased property taxes. Ellis, a Neenah Republican, called the property tax increase slight, saying it would raise property taxes on a $150,000 house by $16.50 the first year and another $15 the second year.
"Both are meager increases," Ellis said.
The plan has the backing of Sen. Luther Olsen (R-Ripon), the chairman of the Senate Education Committee and a member of the budget-writing Joint Finance Committee. Ellis and Olsen said they expected support from other Republicans who control the Legislature because others have been seeking ways to add school funding to the GOP governor's budget.
morninmist
11:05 am on Saturday, March 2, 2013
I agress. Wisconsin needs to have an open discussion on this policy issue. Walker will not allow it because he knows he would lose.
Appleton, Green Bay superintendents critical of Scott Walker's school spending plan ow.ly/ibZww #wiunion #wiright
..Green Bay School Board President Brenda Warren said state lawmakers should discuss school vouchers as separate legislation, rather than a budget item.