Editor’s note: BizTimes Milwaukee compiled the reactions of several people to Gov. Scott Walker’s state budget plan. BizTimes will continue to relay commentary, both for and against Walker’s plan, in ongoing coverage.
Milwaukee Teachers’ Education Association (MTEA) president Mike Langyel
“Just like his budget repair bill, Governor Walker is presenting an extreme solution that goes against the values and traditions of Wisconsin citizens. In the budget repair bill, Governor Walker went after the bargaining rights of workers who provide important public services at the local, county, and state levels. And voters didn’t find out that Walker planned to take away the rights of teachers and other public employees statewide until after he took office. Governor Walker’s budget bill, as outlined today, will impact the lives of school children, senior citizens, those who are disabled, and working families. The governor will make villians out of city and county governments and school boards across the state who will be forced to slash educational opportunities and social services. For the children and most vulnerable citizens of Milwaukee, the bill will be a disaster. Solving the budget deficit does not require massive cuts that will harm the quality of life for millions of state residents. There are alternatives which the governor should sit down and discuss. It’s time for the powerful corporations and millionaires – who’ve already recovered from the recession – to pay their fair share. The wealthiest should not be Scott-free once again. Why not solve the immediate shortfall by a temporary 1.5% income surcharge on the richest of the rich, as suggested by UWM Professor Marc Levine? … Wisconsin’s governor should stop dictating and start discussing real solutions. Scott Walker should engage in the debate that democracy demands.”
Assembly Majority Leader Scott Suder (R-Abbotsford)
“While Governor Walker’s budget repair bill was a good first step towards getting Wisconsin’s economy back on track, it is just the first piece of the puzzle. Our enormous deficit calls for bold and decisive action, and from what I’ve seen so far, we’re heading in the right direction. We are going to put an end to raids on segregated funds, provide a tax exemption for capital gains that are reinvested in Wisconsin businesses, reduce spending by $4.2 billion, and reduce the structural deficit by 90 percent. Additionally, I applaud the governor for helping to improve our state’s public safety. I have been a staunch opponent of the early release program since the day it was instituted, and eliminating it will make our streets safer by keeping dangerous criminals behind bars where they belong. In lieu of the governor’s announcement today and the Assembly’s passage of the budget repair bill last week, I continue to call on the 14 AWOL Democrat Senators to come home and do their job.”
Sen. Chris Larson (D- Milwaukee)
“Wisconsin has a strong history of smart investments in the services that make our state a great place to live,
work and raise a family. Walker’s Wisconsin is a land of little opportunity. These devastating cuts will mean larger class sizes, fewer educational opportunities for our children including reductions in Advanced Placement courses, teacher lay-offs, and even school closures. The governor’s budget is an all out assault on children attending our public schools. Governor Walker also seems committed to destroying our state’s health services safety net. His secretary for the Department of Health Services even wrote that we should abolish Medicaid. Governor Walker’s second chapter is even worse than his first. First he attacked working
families, now he threatens the quality of life in our communities. The more details we get, the worse his story.
Milwaukee Public Schools
“MPS will analyze the details in the governor’s proposed budget. We are reviewing scenarios, based on the per-pupil allocation that was proposed in Madison. We seek opportunities to discuss this and to challenge the proposed budget on behalf of the students in Milwaukee Public Schools. MPS students in particular need a voice, with over 82 percent living in poverty and almost 20% requiring more costly special education. As we look at the impact on our proposed budget for 2012, we will strive to maintain quality programming while being fiscally responsible. We will open schools in 2011-2012. We will serve our families. MPS’ Finance Director Gerald Pace will brief the Milwaukee Board of School Directors on the projected state budget impacts on Thursday evening, March 3, in a meeting of the Board’s Strategic Planning and Budget Committee, scheduled for 6:30 p.m. (or after the earlier scheduled meeting ends) at MPS Central Services, 5225 W. Vliet Street, in the Auditorium.”
The Rev. Willie Brisco, president of Milwaukee Inner-city Congregations Allied for Hope (MICAH)
“Walker’s so-called budget repair bill purposely divides this state into an us vs. them scenario, and his campaign for its passage is laced with untruths and deceptions. The scripture tells us in Romans 13 to submit to authority because God himself ordains and appoints it. This is in reference to righteous authority that honors the will of the people, and not the agenda of an empire. Multiple public polls in the last few days have shown overwhelming support for workers over Walker’s budget plans.”
Christine Neumann-Ortiz, executive director of Voces de la Frontera
“Along with the many other groups under attack at the moment, Voces has been active organizing in response to the governor’s cynical attempt to scapegoat workers and students, for the economic troubles caused by many of his own corporate backers. We fought for the historic inclusion of immigrant youth in higher education, and we will fight back to defend their civil rights and dreams."
Wisconsin Democracy Campaign executive director Mike McCabe
“The practical effect of Walker’s proposal would be to bring back Supreme Court auctions like those seen in 2007 and 2008. Candidates would have to go back to begging wealthy special interests for big donations in order to compete for a seat on the state’s highest court.”
