After Governor Walker’s disastrous budgets, he is finally backtracking on some of his deep education cuts to preserve his poll numbers, but what he is proposing is not enough to restore the damage he has caused. He’s making the same irresponsible mistakes with the state that he made with Milwaukee County.

MADISON – On Wednesday, the Democratic legislators on the Joint Committee on Finance held a press conference in advance of Governor Walker’s 2017-2019 Budget Address. The budget is introduced as the Governor faces a re-election fight and low approval ratings following years of historic cuts to cornerstone Wisconsin priorities, such as public school classrooms and universities.

“The proposals the governor is floating in the budget is an acknowledgement of his failure over the past six years to prioritize the programs most important to the people of Wisconsin,” said Rep. Gordon Hintz (D-Oshkosh). “Throughout his entire time in office, Governor Walker has applied a slash and burn approach to funding our schools and universities in order to afford his tax giveaways to the wealthy. The fact that he is now trying to take credit for pretending to fix the problems he created isn’t fooling anyone.”

“Anyone who thinks this is a budget that will actually address the problems Governor Walker created shouldn’t hold their breath,” said Senator Jon Erpenbach (D-Middleton). “While I have no doubt that he will present a budget that looks good on paper, it remains to be seen how realistic his proposals will be when it comes time for the Legislature to submit a budget that is actually balanced. Transportation financing is something we have heard nothing about in the Governor’s budget so we are left expecting another punt of leadership.”

“After Governor Walker’s disastrous budgets, he is finally backtracking on some of his deep education cuts to preserve his poll numbers,” said Rep. Katrina Shankland (D-Stevens Point). “This means he’s at last admitting that Republican cuts to our most precious institutions have failed the people of Wisconsin. But what he is proposing is not enough to restore the damage he has caused to our public schools and universities. It’s time for the state to make real investments in our children’s education.”

“I’ve been watching Scott Walker bungle budgets since he was Milwaukee County Executive,” said Senator Lena C. Taylor (D-Milwaukee). “He’s making the same irresponsible mistakes with the state that he made with the county. Budgets are about priorities and Governor Walker’s priority is politics over solving Wisconsin’s long-term problems.”