Wisconsin Ag Connection - Walker: We're Turning Things Around in Wisconsin

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Walker: We're Turning Things Around in Wisconsin
Wisconsin Ag Connection - 01/16/2013

In hopes of making the second half of his first term as governor less divisive and controversial, Scott Walker said we are all doing a good job of moving Wisconsin forward. In his third State of the State address last night, the Republican executive announced that the state has a $342 million budget surplus, lower property taxes and an unemployment rate at 6.7 percent.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we are moving Wisconsin forward with bold vision and bright hope for the future, Gov. Walker proclaimed. "We're turning things around. We're heading in the right direction."

Among the accomplishment the governor touted was setting money aside in two consecutive years for the rainy day fund, which has not happened before in state history. He also said the state is being more fiscally responsible than the federal government, which is facing another year of record deficits.

"Unlike the message coming out of Washington, I believe that putting more money in the hands of the people, instead of the government, is good for the economy," he said.

He gave a shout out to the state's multi-billion dollar agricultural industry, saying he's committed to maintaining public infrastructure to help farmers do their jobs and grow their businesses.

"I am committed to a healthy transportation system that includes roads, bridges, freight rail, ports, and airports," Walker said. "Whether it is traveling to a tourism destination or taking product to and from market, so many of our key industries like manufacturing, dairy products, timber and paper products, cranberries, vegetables, grain, sand--and soon, iron ore mining--so many of these industries depend on our strong transportation backbone."

And he cited a newly released report, which identifies over 300 rule modifications in 218 administrative code chapters. Walker says making these changes will make it easier to do business in the state, while maintaining the safety and health of our citizens.

Some Democrats blasted Walker's speech, saying it was short on specific details on how he plans to fulfill his campaign promise of creating a quarter-million jobs before the end of his first term. Other said it was fine to create jobs, but said it's more important to create jobs that can pay a living wage.

Walker is expected to release his 2013-14 budget proposal in the coming days so the Legislature can start drafting its version of the biennial spending package.

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