To: Cincinatus’ Wife
So let’s drill it down...
Basic facts.
This year the Wisconsin government forecast a $2.2 Billion dollar deficit, that’s true.
However, by law WI must have a balanced budget, so the various departments and the legislature have undertaken to make cuts in order to balance the budget.
So the deficit will not materialise after the new budget is passed, but they have less to work with than projected previously, meaning cuts and stopping some programs/projects.
.
Now for opinion.
Outright lie? I don’t think so.
Until the new budget is enacted, technically WI does face a deficit.
Will that deficit be reflected in the new budget? Clearly not.
Was the previously projected surplus realised, no, clearly not.
Has Walker done some laudable things with regards to reform? Absolutely.
Have all of his projections for financial prosperity been realised yet? No. Just look the 90s. Clinton got credit for the Reagan reforms. It takes time to see results.
However, in 2014 Walker very public touted the coming surplus, and it disappeared. How and why it disappeared is a reasonable point of discussion.
52 posted on 8/23/2015, 11:44:48 AM by BlueNgold
******While there were many concerns brought up throughout the budget process - some of which still exist - the guts of this budget are a win for Wisconsin taxpayers. It could have been better, but on the whole, it keeps the state moving in the right direction.
There are no new taxes. There are no tax increases. Bonding is at its lowest level in recent memory. Major education reform plans were included. And prevailing wage was repealed at the local level and reformed at the state level.
http://www.maciverinstitute.com/2015/07/analysis-the-2015-17-wisconsin-state-budget/