The governor’s “tools” save Wisconsin taxpayers over $1 billion, according to the governor.
Governor Scott Walker commends local leaders who “put his reforms to work” to find “innovative ways to be more efficient, while still maintaining and improving services.” The vast majority of the savings comes from the implementation of Act 10.
Walker issued a list of his savings in a statement on Monday, but Democratic Party of Wisconsin Communications Director Graeme Zielinski says the numbers just don’t add up. “This is totally bogus. This is a billion dollar dog and pony show.” He cited teacher job cuts, higher property taxes, lower property values, and tax breaks for corporations.
Representative Robin Vos (R-Rochester) says the GOP reforms helped to “eliminate a $3.6 billion deficit in the state budget without major layoffs, massive tax increases or a decrease in important government services.”
Zielinski disputes claims that those who aren’t seeing the benefits were those who opted not to make use of Walker’s tools. “Number one, that’s not true. And if you look at the totality of the 300 some school districts in the state, they have suffered because of a lack in funding; they haven’t suffered because they didn’t get these terrible tools.”
Republican Party of Wisconsin Communications Director Ben Sparks says the state continues to move forward … “doing more with less.” Governor Walker was in the Manitowoc area Monday, touting the savings for taxpayers. “A billion dollars worth of savings are conservative estimates.” He promoted his website that people can visit, he says, to see first hand the savings, county by county.
Zielinski says Wisconsin voters will make their voices heard on June 5th — the governor’s recall election.
AUDIO: Jackie Johnson report 2:23
