firststone

Wis. governor outlines budget MADISON, Wis. — Republican Gov. Scott Walker on Tuesday outlined a $59.3 billion, two-year budget plan that would cut $749 million in aid to public schools over that period and reduce Coach Purses county and municipal aid by $96 million in 2012. "This is a reform budget. It is about getting Wisconsin working again," Walker said, "and to make that happen, we need a balanced budget that works — and an environment where the private sector can create 250,000 jobs over the next four years." WIS. EMPLOYEES: Public workers earn more PHOTOS: Thousands rally for union rights Walker spoke to a joint session of the Legislature minus the 14 Democratic senators who have left the state to avoid a vote on his plan to end most collective bargaining for public employee unions. Walker alluded to the controversy over union power, saying national attention being paid to the issue is "OK, because freedom thrives each time there is a passionate debate in our society." The governor chided the missing Democrats. "Let us not lose sight of the fact that we were each elected to represent the people of this state by participating in our democratic process," he said. Walker, whose plan to end most collective bargaining for public employee unions has launched massive protests in the Capitol, said his budget includes no tax or fee increases, brings public workers' pension and health insurance contributions in line with the private sector, and would reduce spending from all funds by a total of $4.2 billion in 2012 and 2013. He also said his plan would help erase a projected $3.6 billion budget shortfall. "Wisconsin is broke," he said, "and it's time to start paying our bills today so our kids are not stuck with even bigger bills tomorros." Organizational changes, including the elimination of the state Commerce Department and making the University of Wisconsin's Madison campus autonomous, would account for most of the 21,325 state jobs that would be eliminated. The rest would come from the closure of state facilities, program reductions and the end of 735 positions that have been vacant for longer than 12 months. Walker would increase some spending, including $196 million to the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. to promote job creation and $1.2 billion for critical health services to seniors the disabled and low-income families to replace one-time federal funds. The proposed budget would limit local governments' ability to increase property taxes to compensate for losses in state funding. Lawmakers were clearly split along partisan lines in expressing reaction to the governor's plan. Republicans praised Walker for making a proposal that they characterized as a common-sense. "It's the first budget that we've had in 12 years that is an actual budget without any funny money," state Sen. Mike Ellis, R-Neenah, said, and he harkened back to an earlier Republican administration. "We've been living on phony budgeting since the (Gov. Scott) McCallum era and finally we've got a governor who's doing it the right way." "He's giving us an opportunity to do what we said we came here to do: vote on a balanced budget, not raise any taxes, not raid segregated funds anymore," said state Rep. Michelle Litjens, R-Vinland. "It's not going to be an easy budget but it sounds pretty good so far." Democrats, meantime, expressed concern about what they said they felt was a lack of desire to work across party lines. "I'm ... a little concerned about the fact that he said we are going to work together on this when his past actions of the last two weeks shows that he is not willing to work together on things," said state Rep. Penny Bernard Schaber, D-Appleton. "The governor continues to talk about tools but he doesn't define what those tools are, and if his tools are removing collective bargaining, I don't think those are ... good tools to be using." "Despite the governor's claims, this budget does little to create family-supporting jobs," said state Sen. Dave Hansen, D-Green Bay, via e-mail. "Instead, this budget goes against the priorities and values of our state. It rewards the wealthy and corporate interests with millions in tax breaks at the expense of our schools, local communities, families and worker's rights." Walker's move to end collective bargaining for most public employee unions, said Todd Berry, president of the Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance, a non-partisan research group, is his way of helping schools and local governments cut costs. "If you're going to really slam local government and you have no choice given the budget math," he said, "then coach purses outlet the only way to deliver them some ... relief on the other side of the ledger" is to give them ways to cut labor costs. Berry said the state must confront its budget problems. "We've been either overcommitting or living on the edge or ostensibly balancing our budgets — but not really — for as long as 15 years under governors of both parties," he said. In a typical year, a Wisconsin budget address is a relatively sleepy event, drawing small numbers of lobbyists, reporters and legislative staffers. Tuesday as Walker prepared to deliver his address, thousands of demonstrators encircled the Capitol, marching with signs that included "Walker is Anti-Union Anti-American," and "If you are not at the table you are probably on the menu." Hundreds more protested inside, their numbers limited because of police access restrictions. But while reduced in numbers, they filled the rotunda with the deafening thump of non-stop drumming Tuesday afternoon. The noise could be heard in every corner of the building, including the governor's office. Outside the building, crowds chanted, "Whose house is this? Our house." Dozens of police and state troopers guarded entrances and hallways and confined demonstrators to the ground floor of the four-story building. With an American flag scarf around his neck, John Berg, 25, of Milwaukee, took a short nap Tuesday afternoon on the marble floor, amid the chaos. Berg has been living in the building continually since Sunday. "It's been rough but we are here to stand up against the bill," he said. "The power of protest is so big. It's putting a lot of light on this bill." Outside, demonstrator Chris Dequaine, a state corrections worker from Green Bay, said he came to Madison to protest for the day because Walker's move to limit collective bargaining powers is wrong. "It has absolutely nothing to do with solving the budget crisis," he said. "Everybody is fed up. He is trying to balance the state budget on the backs of state employees and abolish unions all in the same stroke and people are fed up with it." The governor also proposed: ? Allowing charter schools to be created anywhere in the state and ending a requirement that charter school teachers be licensed by the state. Instead, they would be required only to have bachelor's degrees. ? Repealing direct state funding for advanced placement programs, alcohol and drug-abuse prevention and intervention programs, English instruction for Southeast Asian children and school nursing services. ? Eliminating mandates requiring school districts to schedule at least 180 days of classes annually, employ reading specialists and prepare detailed indoor environmental quality plans. ? Cutting $250 million in state aid to the University of Wisconsin system. ? Expanding the Wisconsin GI tuition and fee reimbursement program to forgive academic fees for 128 credits or eight semesters, whichever is longer. ? Reducing state aid to technical college districts by $71.6 million over the biennium. ? Increasing staffing and funding for the state DNA lab to assist criminal investigations and boost resources to investigate online predators who target children. "Each of us has a vision for a better tomorrow in Wisconsin," Walker said. "Even at the height of our differences, we can and must keep our promise to the people of Coach Handbags Wisconsin that they will always come first." Jones also reports for The Post-Crescent in Appleton, Wis. Keen reported from Chicago.