On a wintry Wisconsin night, Walker outlined the two-year, $68 billion proposal that will serve as a blueprint for state government as well as his own potential presidential bid.
To avoid a gas tax increase and offset higher borrowing for state roads, the Republican governor would essentially end state land purchases for conservation and forgo new loans for other state building projects. He would raise state park sticker fees by $3 a year and leave property taxes on the median-value state home about $10 less in two years than they were in December.
One year after touting an expected budget surplus, Walker proposed sweeping spending cuts such as ending state funding for highway beautification, and Wisconsin Public Radio and Television; phasing out a long-standing racial integration program for students; and leaving most prison watchtowers vacant at night.
"Just as I promised, property taxes by the end of 2016 will be lower than they were in 2014. That means lower property taxes for six years in a row. How about that?" Walker told lawmakers in his 24-minute speech in the Assembly chambers.
Democrats responded that the state would not be considering cutting state universities and operations so deeply if Walker and GOP lawmakers had not plowed a projected $1 billion state surplus last year into additional tax cuts. Assembly Minority Leader Peter Barca of Kenosha said Walker's plans were aimed more at a likely presidential run than doing what is right for Wisconsinites.
"Clearly, the governor has his eye on Iowa, New Hampshire, places outside of Wisconsin," said Barca, referring to states that have early nominating contests.
Walker's plan would also eliminate about 400 state jobs, though not all those would translate to layoffs because at least half the jobs are currently unfilled.
The budget would increase overall spending of state money by $1 billion, to $32.8 billion over the two years, and decrease spending of both state and federal money by $2.7 billion, to $68 billion.
