MADISON (WKOW) -
Governor Scott Walker's office says his budget reforms have saved Wisconsin more than one billion dollars, citing savings found in media reports, municipal budgets and surveys of local government officials across the state.
The announcement included the following statement from Governor Walker:
"This is a significant milestone--more than one billion dollars worth of documented savings for the taxpayers have been realized from the structural government reforms made last year.
When I took office Wisconsin was facing very serious budget challenges. We made the tough decisions necessary to ensure our children and grandchildren were not buried under a mountain of economically crippling debt. While some states implemented massive tax increases and others laid off thousands of public employees, we chose a better way. We protected property taxpayers and maintained services.
Reaction to Governor Walker's statement was mixed, on the eve of the start of his state tour.
Green Bay's mayor, Jim Schmitt, said he believes the Governor's reforms are working.
"Like I said, I think these things needed to happen, and because of Act 10 they probably happened a bit quicker," said Schmitt. "But eventually you had to address these issues and it kind of came together all at once. It seems to be working. That being said, we have more to do."
Toni Lardinois, President of the Green Bay Education Association, disagrees.
"We still see a nine million dollar deficit for this year, so obviously what he's proposing through Act 10 didn't work," said Lardinois. "It's funding. You have to fund schools. You can't take away funding and you can't pack classrooms full of kids and say now we don't need as many teachers."
Governor Walker begins a statewide tour on Monday.
Walker, Lt. Governor Rebecca Kleefisch and four state senators face recall elections, with primary races set for May 8th and the general election on June 5th. All six are Republicans.
