We accomplished much under this dome last year, primarily by putting political differences aside and working together for the common good. Let me take a moment to highlight a few of these accomplishments:
I was pleased to have been able to bring together key legislators, the business community, sportsmen, sportswomen and environmental groups to craft a consensus and pass a law to protect our wetlands and our environment. It is the first of its kind in the nation.
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Two individuals who played key roles were Republican Representative Neal Kedzie of Elkhorn and Democrat Senator Jim Baumgart of Sheboygan.
Working in a spirit of bipartisanship with A.A.R.P., the Coalition of Wisconsin Aging Groups and countless Democrats and Republicans, we passed a prescription drug benefit program for nearly 300,000 Wisconsin seniors that will serve as a national model in senior health care.
Last year, I introduced a fiscally sound, balanced and realistic budget for the state, which kept spending increases to the lowest level in more than 30 years, held the line on taxes, and protected our core priorities of education and helping the state's neediest citizens. These principles paved the way for a bipartisan budget agreement in August.
I want to acknowledge Republican Assembly Speaker Scott Jensen of Waukesha and Democrat Majority Leader Chuck Chvala of Madison.
I also want to acknowledge the co-chairs of the Joint Finance Committee – Republican Representative John Gard of Peshtigo and Democrat Senator Brian Burke of Milwaukee – and thank them for getting the budget passed in the shortest time in more than six years.
And earlier this year, Wisconsin became the first state in the country to provide extended benefits to unemployed and displaced workers.
There were other accomplishments, as well.
We have taken huge strides in our relationship with the state's tribal governments. I would like to acknowledge the tribal chairmen with us tonight.
We have continued to move people from welfare to work. Just last week I joined President Bush and Secretary Tommy Thompson in announcing a welfare reform agenda that will help more welfare recipients achieve independence through work, protect children and strengthen families.
We invested in smaller class sizes …. Because smaller class sizes have proven to be an effective learning environment for children. Thanks to the efforts of this Legislature, SAGE will allow more than 500 schools to reduce class sizes in grades K through 3.
We have provided our youngest children with every opportunity to reach their full potential by investing in 4-year-old kindergarten.
We are taking the necessary action to make Milwaukee the jewel of Wisconsin, and are taking steps to make southeast Wisconsin a world-class economic powerhouse.
When we build Milwaukee and southeast Wisconsin, we build all of Wisconsin. That's why we must improve the Menomonee Valley, through the redevelopment of Canal Street.
We will be helping revitalize downtown Milwaukee.
The Marquette Interchange is the heart of Wisconsin's transportation system, and we have finalized plans for the largest capital project in our state's history.
State Fair Park is becoming self-sufficient and a year-round attraction, thanks to the steps I've taken.
UW-Milwaukee is becoming a first-class institution nationally, with the help of our budget.
And the consortium of five universities through the new TechStar program will combine academics and business to create economic growth.
Working together in a bipartisan fashion, legislative members of the Building Commission were influential in getting the first Biostar project approved, a project that keeps UW-Madison at the forefront of biotechnology. I applaud Senators Risser, Meyer and Roessler, and Representatives Hoven, Vrakas and Plale.
Wisconsin taxpayers saved $62.9 million through the aggressive use of my veto pen – the highest veto amount ever for a biennial budget signed into law.
I unveiled a comprehensive energy package that serves the economic interests of the state and preserves our resources and environment.
In the aftermath of 9-11, statewide price gouging at gas stations was stopped after I personally directed investigators to identify known offenders immediately.
A few weeks after the cowardly attacks on America, I established an anti-terrorism task force to address current and future terrorism issues in Wisconsin.
And all of us did our part throughout the year to ensure that the Packers returned to the NFL playoffs after a short – but painful – absence. And while they didn't go all the way, it sure was a fun ride…. And the Pack will be back!
That is a list of accomplishments of which we can all be proud …. And the best is yet to come.
In my inaugural address last year I introduced the principles that would guide me as your governor – holding the line on government spending, no tax increases, improving education, building wisconsin through economic development and job creation, and assisting our seniors and the neediest of the needy.
The executive budget I sent to you last year also reflected these principles, and they are the foundation of my budget reform act, which I unveiled Jan. 22.
I believe so strongly that these principles reflect the core values of all Wisconsinites that I state them again.
One, we must always put the hard-working men and women of Wisconsin – the taxpayers – first.
Two, we have a responsibility to provide the best education for our children. That's why I exempted schools from cuts in my Budget Reform Act. My goal is to make Wisconsin schools the best in the world. We will get there because of the best teachers in the world.
Teachers like Tenia Jenkins, whose dedication and professionalism exemplify our teachers and staff throughout Wisconsin's schools. Tenia has been a teacher for 30 years, the last 20 at the Malcolm Shabazz Alternative High School in Madison.
Tenia embodies the Wisconsin spirit… she is a true pioneer. She taught the first African-American history and women's classes in Madison's traditional high schools and continues to be a well-known advocate for young people and a mentor to parents.
Ladies and gentlemen, Tenia Jenkins.
Three, we will create high-paying jobs that reward high-skilled labor, the kind of labor that has become the hallmark of the Wisconsin work ethic.
And four, we have an absolute responsibility to care for people who can't care for themselves. That's why I protected the SeniorCare prescription drug program and the Medical Assistance programs in the Budget Reform Act.
Tonight, I want to put a face on why I made this decision relating to Medical Assistance. Dr. Kevin Izard is a family practitioner from Milwaukee. He is a Wisconsin Medical Society member from the Capitol Drive Health Care Center, where 90 percent of his practice is with Medicaid patients.
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Dr. Izard, you have dedicated your life to serving the urban poor
… and for that, Wisconsin thanks you. Ladies and gentlemen, Dr. Kevin Izard.
Today, we are in the midst of a challenging special session. Government must do what all Wisconsin families do when they gather around the kitchen table and look at their budgets – live within its means.
I said it wouldn't be easy, but that it is time to make tough decisions and limit government spending while protecting services for those who need us the most – our children, the elderly and the disabled.
You might recall that, in my budget reform act speech, I predicted this would be a controversial package because it holds the line on taxes and dramatically reins in government spending at every level.
Tonight, I repeat my pledge to the hard-working men and women of this state: I will continue to oppose any budget solution that includes higher taxes…. And I will continue to push for greater efficiency in government.
My plan calls for bold reform of the state and local partnership. Those who argue that the shared revenue program should be preserved in its current form ignore the fact that much has changed in state and local finances in the last 30 years.
From a state budget perspective, there is little doubt the state and local partnership needs to be reformed because the current system is not sustainable. It is time Wisconsin has this much-needed discussion.
In town halls and city councils across the state, and right here in the Capitol, already the debate has changed from how we spend money to how we can save money.
In fact, during the past six weeks I've seen a number of leaders step to the plate and initiate discussions on making government more efficient.
Some leaders have had great success in this area in the past, and their efforts to save money through consolidation and the merger of services with neighboring governments is gaining new momentum.
These architects of change include Ripon Mayor Robert Somers, who says every elected official –regardless of constituency – must listen to taxpayers and continue to cut spending.
And Wausau's Linda Lawrence, who was pushing a merger plan before the Budget Reform Act was unveiled and now wants to accelerate her plan to save Wausau taxpayers money.
And Appleton's Tim Hanna…who continues to push city staff and city leaders to pursue a regional strategy. A strategy based on coordination of services that promote stronger community partnerships and provide greater value for citizens.
Another architect of change who has understood for years the need to consolidate services is Waukesha County Executive Dan Finley. Dan has called for a new countywide department of public safety to manage their dispatching system.
In Madison, Mayor Sue Bauman has proposed budget cuts and is working diligently with Dane County officials to strengthen efforts to consolidate city and county functions.
South Milwaukee's David Kieck is exploring consolidation with Cudahy and St. Francis leaders for police dispatch and emergency crews.
Neenah's Ken Harwood has taken steps toward merging their fire department with that of nearby Menasha.
There have been discussions about saving taxpayers money in Marathon County, too…. Officials there want to consolidate county parks and forestry departments.
Brown, Outagamie and Winnebago counties are talking about consolidating landfill and recycling programs, and Price County officials adopted a hiring freeze and froze spending on capital equipment.
Former Milwaukee County Executive David Schulz said there is a new spirit of public engagement for reforming and ultimately reinventing local government in Milwaukee and Wisconsin.
I quote: "For more than two centuries, our tradition in the United States has been one of constantly reinventing our society and government. If Milwaukee and Wisconsin can do so now, then the future will be bright with promise and opportunity." End quote.
And Racine County Executive Jean Jacobson, a Kettl Commission member who has had success with consolidations and mergers, recently was asked by other municipalities to provide insight on how to get people to cooperate.
Quote: "Put them in a room together, give them a little coffee and something to eat. We have to put our politics at the door. It's just good, plain common sense. After the governor's message, we're all going to be crying together…. We might as well work on solutions together."
Ladies and gentlemen, the debate has changed!
And we must continue to move the focus from protecting government institutions to protecting the working people of Wisconsin.
The debate has changed.
To all local officials, I say this tonight: Let's work together … because we share a common goal – shaping a better tomorrow for the hard-working families of this state and giving taxpayers the best return on their dollar.
I am committed to working with town boards, county executives, village presidents and mayors across Wisconsin to develop long-term solutions for efficiency, cooperation, consolidation and accountability at every level of government – both state and local.
The budget reform act contains language to create a task force to address this very issue. But because the debate has so clearly moved from spend to save, we must move forward with the task force immediately.
Reform itself must begin now.
I will create, by executive order, the Governor's Task Force on State and Local Government, to be headed by Milwaukee's Tim Sheehy.
The goal of the task force will be to build a better Wisconsin through state and local partnerships.
The task force will consist of those who are willing to roll up their sleeves and work together for the greater good of Wisconsin's taxpayers. My first appointments will be those representing local government.
The first charge of the task force is to conduct a thorough review of state mandates. We must eliminate all mandates that are barriers to consolidation and merging local government functions.
We must make it easier for local governments to consolidate and become more efficient. We must identify financial incentives for local government to consolidate services where possible. We need to reward economic development and growth.
Every study has shown, and few people disagree, that we have too much government in Wisconsin. We now need to approach the problem in a reasonable fashion.
As we ponder important fiscal issues, there are other matters that will command our attention this year.
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In the coming months we will accelerate our efforts within Wisconsin on issues concerning terrorism and security. Wisconsin stands to receive as much as $20 million in federal aid this year for domestic security.
I recently met with Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge. He delivered a clear message: As we move forward to protect our families through new law enforcement measures, our statewide efforts must focus on regional needs within our borders.
Local officials will play a crucial role as "first responders," and we must recognize that what works in Milwaukee or Port Washington may not work in La Crosse… and vice versa.
Cooperation, regionalization and accountability – these are themes that will dominate the landscape this year.
In the coming months, I will focus on economic development and education, two separate policy areas that are driven at the local level…. And two policy areas that, for the first time ever in Wisconsin, are now linked as one.
For too long, the debate over financing education has pitted educators against the business community. Last year, I moved to bridge that gap by bringing many of the state's key players from both sides together for discussions.
I knew such a meeting was risky, but I moved forward because I believe that when the children of Wisconsin receive the education they deserve, other goals – a strong economy, lower crime rates, healthier families, and fewer demands on government – are within easy reach.
Today, with educators and business breaking the old "politics as usual" mold, the dynamics have dramatically changed in this state
The partnership of business and education is moving forward with unshakable determination.
I applaud all the individuals involved in this discussion for their willingness and their courage in the face of criticism to work together to bring Wisconsin schools and Main Street closer together.
I remain optimistic that this new dynamic and the fruits of our labor will pay benefits now and for many years to come.
We live in a globally competitive environment; the pace of change is rapidly increasing and the stakes are growing higher. Many of our neighboring states have recognized this and are positioning themselves.
We must move quickly, too.
Later this spring, I will unveil a statewide business plan as part of my Build Wisconsin program. The plan's foundation will be based on the economic development model of "clusters."
