Wisconsin Budget Reform

I was listening to Mark Bellamy who was subbing for Rush Limbaugh yesterday, and Mark had Wisc. Govoernor Scott Walker as his guest.

Here's a summary of the results of Walker's budget reforms since passage.

A) many towns are reversing school deficits, one small Wisconcin town reported a projected $1.5 million deficit had already turned into a projected $4.0 million surplus.

b) Because of the reforms,instead of losing teachers, many districts were able to hire additional teachers and reduce class size.

c) many teachers were happy raises would no longer be based on tenure, but on merit.

Something came to light also-- Prior to Walker's reform the Wisc. Teachers Union was doing business with a union owned health insurance company. Of course no competitive bids were sought by the teachers union. The union owned health insurance company was charging the state of Wisconsin TWICE the rate for medical insurance. ( shouldn't this be a criminal offense?)

Gov. Walker remarked neighboring Illinois hadn't embraced budget reform and was increasing their state income tax rates by 67%, AND they were still projecting a deficit !


Steve