Assistant Assembly Democratic Leader Sandy Pasch (D – Shorewood) released the following statement regarding Governor Walker’s State of the State address:
“While I disagree sharply with the unrealistically rosy picture Governor Walker painted in his speech about the ‘state of our state’ tonight, he highlighted many general themes I believe we can – and must – work to find common ground on. Especially at a time when Wisconsin lags behind most of the country in job creation, Governor Walker remains a far cry from his 250,000 jobs pledge, and his own staff admits ‘we’re bad’ when it comes to critical economic indicators, we need bold and immediate action on economic recovery and putting people back to work in family-sustaining jobs.
“Unfortunately, many of Governor Walker’s allies do not seem to have received this memo. Thus far, legislative Republicans appear to be more focused on increasing taxpayer funding to private voucher schools at the expense of public schools, making it harder for our citizens to readily exercise their right to vote, pushing forward ideologically-driven attacks on women, meddling in local government affairs, and dictating behavior of citizens in the Assembly gallery.
“The fact is that the ‘state of our state’ lags behind most of the country, and this may largely be due to one of the most divisive, extreme, and partisan agendas we witnessed this past legislative session under Republican leadership. In turn, we must give our undivided attention and efforts to creating family-sustaining jobs, investing in worker training programs, supporting public education, increasing access to affordable healthcare, and ensuring a more honest, accessible, and transparent government.
“I – along with my fellow Assembly Democrats – am ready to work with Governor Walker and legislative Republicans on these issues that can, and should, receive immediate attention and bipartisan support. The ‘state of our state’ and the health of our communities depend on doing so.”
“Unfortunately, many of Governor Walker’s allies do not seem to have received this memo. Thus far, legislative Republicans appear to be more focused on increasing taxpayer funding to private voucher schools at the expense of public schools, making it harder for our citizens to readily exercise their right to vote, pushing forward ideologically-driven attacks on women, meddling in local government affairs, and dictating behavior of citizens in the Assembly gallery." With the Tea Party agenda the Republican led Legislature is following, they are going to mess up Walker's chance for national politics ....... now he has to figure out how to get something of real meaning accomplished, without losing the radical conservative support that put him in office.