Reaction to Walker's State of State speech
MADISON, Wis. (AP) - Reaction to Gov. Scott Walker's state of the State speech delivered Tuesday at a joint meeting of the state Legislature:
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"Gov. Walker has a bold vision for our state," said Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos. "I look forward to partnering with him to reform government, improve our schools and balance the budget without a tax increase."
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"Rather than becoming distracted by Washington politics, we need to focus on the important issues facing Wisconsin families," said Democratic Senate Minority Leader Jennifer Shilling. "With a $2.2 billion budget deficit, a lagging economy and stagnant wages, it's time to start putting Wisconsin families first."
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"Our economy has improved because Gov. Walker and Republicans in the Legislature focused on cutting taxes, cutting red tape, and cutting the size of government," said Republican Sen. Alberta Darling, co-chair of the Legislature's budget committee. "Together we've lowered the tax burden in Wisconsin by $2 billion. And we won't stop there."
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"We see Wisconsin as a state in need of improvement," said Scot Ross, director of the liberal group One Wisconsin Now. "Our schools and workforce are among the best in the nation. But the facts show Scott Walker has failed to deliver, leaving us with lagging job growth and stagnant wages."
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"Gov. Walker outlined an agenda on how he believes we can best move our state forward in his second term," said David Fladeboe, director of the conservative group Americans for Prosperity Wisconsin. "While the Governor put forth many pro-growth policies we would support, we simply cannot miss the opportunity to pass right-to-work."
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"We are encouraged that Gov. Walker made clear by his silence that right-to-work legislation is not, and should not, be a priority," said Wisconsin AFL-CIO President Phil Neuenfeldt. "Lawmakers should avoid taking up unnecessary and harmful right-to-work legislation in order to focus on urgent issues facing Wisconsin's working families."
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