WKOW 27: Madison, WI Breaking News, Weather and SportsOfficials release statements on Tuesday's recall news

MADISON (WKOW) -- State lawmakers are reacting to the news of recall signatures being turned in to the Government Accountability Board.

The Friends of Scott Walker campaign issued the following statement from Governor Walker regarding the deadline for collecting signatures on recall petitions:

"I look forward to talking to the people of Wisconsin about my continued promises to control government spending, balance the budget, and hold the line on taxes. In my first year in office, we did just that by eliminating a $3.6 billion budget deficit without raising taxes; all while the state added thousands of new jobs. Instead of going back to the days of billion dollar budget deficits, double digit tax increases and record job loss, I expect Wisconsin voters will stand with me and keep moving Wisconsin forward." 

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Republican candidate for United States Senate Mark Neumann today released the following statement on the Democrats turning in signatures to attempt to recall Governor Scott Walker:

 "Instead of wasting taxpayers' time and money on a futile recall, Democrats should be focused on finding ways to create jobs like Governor Walker has. Governor Walker made tough decisions to balance the budget without raising taxes. Voters have soured on the tax and spend policies Barack Obama and Jim Doyle used to run up record debt and high unemployment. I support Governor Walker and urge the people of Wisconsin to get behind him."

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The following statement may be attributed to Mary Bell, a Wisconsin teacher and president of the Wisconsin Education Association Council, the state's largest union of educators:

"Today's announcement is resounding proof that residents from every part of the state intend to stand up for Wisconsin values by recalling Governor Walker. We are proud of our members and leaders who volunteered their nights and weekends to help contribute to the success of this grassroots effort. It's been amazing to witness the energy and excitement coming from many individuals who have never been politically active before, but who want to take action to help reclaim Wisconsin."

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Kathleen Falk, former Dane County Executive, released a statement Tuesday:

"The people of Wisconsin have spoken loudly, an incredible one million strong, demanding the recall of a governor whose failed policies and extreme agenda have torn our state apart. Now, there should be no delaying tactics and legal tricks by Governor Walker and his allies to try to postpone the election. Let's go."

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Democratic Party of Dane County Chair Michael Basford released the following statement:

"Today is a remarkable day like no other in Wisconsin's history. After many months of turmoil in
our backyard caused by the political excesses of Scott Walker and his friends in the State
Capitol; after launching an extreme agenda that threatened working families, our schools, our
local governments, our environment and our traditions that made Wisconsin great; and after an
unbelievable display of dishonesty and hypocrisy of which we've never before seen, Scott Walker, Rebecca Kleefisch and four State Senators will finally face the judgment of Wisconsin voters for the last year.

Dane County Democrats are proud to have been a part of many hundreds of volunteers and
dozens of action groups working in every corner of Dane County to gather as many signatures as possible to recall Walker and Kleefisch and to help in the four Senate districts. Despite insults, threats, intimidation and even physical attacks by Walker supporters, the volunteers in Dane County easily exceeded their goals and exposed the Walker campaign's lie about "recall fatigue" in Wisconsin.

Now that there is no doubt that there will be a recall election, the Democratic Party of Dane
County will work hard to help change the State Capitol. The next Governor and Lieutenant
Governor and the new State Senate majority will work to restore fairness and equity to our state government, restore our proud Wisconsin traditions and work to correct the miserable Walker record of lost jobs and lost opportunities.

We look forward to working tirelessly to show Wisconsin and the world that the State Capitol is
not Scott Walker's house, it's not the Fitzgerald Brothers' house and it's not the Koch Brothers'
house. It's The People's House. And The People of our great state are coming to take it back.

Today's news is what democracy looks like."

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Republican Party of Wisconsin Chairman Brad Courtney released the following statement regarding the Democrat efforts to collect enough signatures to force the recall of Governor Scott Walker:

"We had no doubt the Democrats would be able to rally their left-wing supporters around this baseless and expensive recall effort. This shameful recall attempt of the Governor will accomplish nothing but saddle Wisconsin taxpayers with over $9 million in unbudgeted costs. Regardless of what the radical left may believe, Wisconsin families will continue to stand with Governor Walker, who has balanced a $3.6 billion budget deficit without raising taxes, and created thousands of new jobs."

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Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett released the following statement regarding the submission of Recall Walker signatures:

"A year ago, Scott Walker 'dropped the bomb' on the people of Wisconsin by unleashing an extreme, divisive agenda that he never discussed before he took office.

As a result of his deception, hundreds of thousands of everyday Wisconsinites from all walks of life are exercising their constitutional right to hold Scott Walker accountable.

I stand with the hundreds of thousands of ordinary Wisconsin citizens who have had enough of Walker's cynical politics that try to divide the people of our state. It's time for a new direction that will heal our fractured state and move Wisconsin forward again."