Sunday, January 20, 2013
Republican lieutenant governor says Wisconsin is "in better shape today than we were before, and we're not done yet."
With a collective sigh of relief, we can now look back at the time since Governor Walker and I took office, and size up the accomplishments of the last two years. Although we've seen things unprecedented and unpredictable, our experiences have made us stronger. We have a lot to be proud of. Our successes give us new perspective, though, and through the lens of a state pursuing economic competitiveness, we see we have a lot of room to grow in our future. Despite the rampant wrong turns from our federal government, Wisconsin is finally on the path to prosperity. We inherited a $3.6 billion budget deficit that has been balanced without raising taxes. After seeing nearly 150,000 jobs lost under the last three years of the previous …
Saturday, January 12, 2013
Gov. Scott Walker looks at the upcoming legislative session as lawmakers return to work.
Each week, Gov. Scott Walker delivers a weekly radio address. The following is the transcript from the address titled A Look Ahead. Hi I’m Scott Walker. Two years ago, Wisconsin was facing a $3.6 billion budget deficit and the state had an unemployment rate of 7.5 percent. Today, Wisconsin has a $341 million surplus and we set money aside in the rainy day fund for the first time in two consecutive years. The unemployment rate is 6.7 percent. In 2010, a mere 10 percent of employers surveyed said the state was headed in the right direction. Chief Executive Magazine ranked Wisconsin as the 41st state for business rankings. In 2012, 94 percent said Wisconsin was headed in the right direction. Chief Executive Magazine moved our ranking up to…
Saturday, January 5, 2013
Sen. Ron Johnson is Wisconsin's Republican senator in Washington, D.C. This commentary is taken from his weekly e-newsletter to constituents.
Although I strongly prefer extension of current tax rates for all Americans, I supported the compromise bill that protects 99% of Wisconsinites from an income tax increase, limits the death tax, and prevents a dramatic increase in milk prices. It is by no means a perfect piece of legislation. The revenue raised by this legislation will equal approximately 7% of projected deficits. It is now time for President Obama and his Democrat colleagues to show the American public their plan to close the other 93% of the deficit. Our nation's debt now stands at $16.4 trillion, and has reached its statutory limit. We blew through the $2.1 trillion increase in the debt ceiling granted in August 2011 in only 17 months. This is clearly unsustainable, and…
Saturday, December 22, 2012
Gov. Scott Walker delivers a Christmas message for this week's radio address.
Each week, Gov. Scott Walker delivers a weekly radio address. The following is the transcript from his address on Thursday, titled Holiday Message. Hi, I’m Scott Walker. My wife Tonette and I would like to take a moment to wish you and your loved ones peace and happiness this holiday season. As we get ready to celebrate Christmas with our sons, Matt and Alex, we pray for a new year filled with faith, hope, and prosperity. This joyful season can be a time to remember as well as a time to hope for the future. It is also a time to be grateful for the past year and for our loved ones. We hope that in the midst of the hustle and bustle, and in light of the recent tragedy, everyone will take the opportunity to cherish the family around them…
Saturday, December 15, 2012
As we continue our work on the next state budget, I’ve been meeting with people throughout the state about what is important to you, and how to reach our goals.
Gov. Scott Walker delivered the weekly radio address titled Talk With Walker on Thursday. The following is the transcript: Hi, this is Scott Walker. As we continue our work on the next state budget, I’ve been meeting with people throughout the state about what is important to you, and how to reach our goals. At these events we’ve held in places including La Crosse, Green Bay and Madison, I laid out my top priorities – creating jobs, developing our workforce, investing infrastructure, transforming education and reforming government. The input we have received so far has been great. People offered input and suggestions, voiced concerns and asked questions on topics ranging from health care to education. What I’ve heard so far is that …
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Are you celebrating Wisconsin's special 12-12-12? Share what you like best about the Green Bay Packers quarterback here – or tell us why you can't stand him!
I personally think 12-12-12 should be a national holiday, but with our president being a Bears fan and all … it’s not going to happen. It’s Aaron Rodgers day. A day for Green Bay Packers fans to celebrate the success of the team under the leadership of No. 12. Let’s just face it, it’s a day for us to wear our green and gold jerseys, to paint our fingernails green (am I right, ladies?) and to just get darn excited that we are Packers fans from Wisconsin. Aaron Rodgers day started as a Facebook joke that became viral. The state legislature officially declared Dec. 12, 2012, to be his day. Milwaukee County workers are being allowed to wear Packers jerseys or shirts to work on Wednesday. Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele is encouraging …
Saturday, December 8, 2012
For more than a decade, the federal government has been spending a lot more money than it has been taking in. Because critical debt benchmarks were surpassed, in the near future our nation is facing what often is referred to as the fiscal cliff.
Editor’s Note: Each week Gov. Scott Walker delivers a weekly radio address. This week he addresses the Fiscal Cliff. Hi, this is Scott Walker. This week, I had the honor of joining a bipartisan group of Governors to meet with President Obama about the fiscal challenges facing our federal government. For more than a decade, the federal government has been spending a lot more money than it has been taking in. Because critical debt benchmarks were surpassed, in the near future our nation is facing what often is referred to as the fiscal cliff. If our federal government fails to take action to avert this fiscal cliff, we could experience a massive economic downturn, which would affect states all across the nation. I joined other …
Friday, December 7, 2012
Democrats received more votes statewide in the November elections, but Republicans won more seats. What does that say about redistricting?
The Wisconsin Government Accountability Board’s Nov. 29 certification of the official results of the Nov. 6 election made it, well, official: Democratic candidates got more votes than Republicans in state races for president, U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, state Senate and state Assembly. But the Republicans were able to keep a 5-3 lead in the U.S. House of Representatives, reclaim control of the state Senate by a margin of 18 to 15 seats, and secure a commanding 60-39 advantage in the state Assembly, despite getting fewer votes overall. How can that be? Mike McCabe, the executive director of the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, a nonpartisan elections watchdog, has a theory: “The outcome of this year’s U.S. House as well as …
Sunday, December 2, 2012
Scott Walker: Heading into the next budget we are in the unique position of having anticipated surpluses, increased revenue, and projected economic growth.
Each week Gov. Scott Walker delivers his weekly radio address. This week’s radio address is titled Budgeting for the Next Generation. Here is the transcript: Hi, this is Scott Walker. Last week, the Department of Administration released revenue projections and provided an update on the current state budget. The State of Wisconsin is projected to start fiscal year 2013 with a $342.1 million balance, which is the largest opening balance since fiscal year 2001. On top of the positive opening balance, we are projected to deposit $125 million into the state’s rainy day fund. For the first time in history, Wisconsin will deposit funds into the rainy day fund in two consecutive fiscal years. Heading into the next budget we are in the unique …
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
In his weekly radio address, governor thanks Wisconsin's volunteers, especially those who helped out victims of Hurricane Sandy.
Here is a transcript of Gov. Scott Walker's weekly radio address, which aired on Wednesday. Hi, this is Scott Walker. This year, Tonette and I are glad to have our oldest son, Matt, home to join with our other son, Alex, and our parents as we enjoy the blessings of our family on Thanksgiving Day. We are so very thankful for our family and friends. It is also a time to again say thank you to the many people in our state who volunteer to help others in our schools, at senior and community centers, in places of worship and so many other locations across Wisconsin. And a special thanks to those who went east to help recover from Hurricane Sandy. Finally, we say thank you to all of our men and women who proudly serve in the military. To them, …
The Donny Show
8:32 am on Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Another set of facts of raising taxes of the rich never achieves its goal. The rich just move or do what they have to do....WE NEED TO WORK TO LOWER TAXES IN WI. We dont have a Woods or Mickelson, but why would any company or person live here if we dont create a great business and tax climate. Tiger Woods is the prime example. He "moved" to FL in 1996. His off-course deals (rounded) starting in '… more ›