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."
A cluster is a related technology or industry where the elements necessary for prosperity – the ideas, research, capital, workforce and government support – exist in one place. Instead of focusing on individual companies, clusters focus on regional economies and on related firms and supporting infrastructure.
Some of the clusters Build Wisconsin will pursue include agriculture, biotechnology, finance, insurance, information technology and data processing, manufacturing, papermaking and forest products, medical devices, automotive and tourism.
The good news is that Wisconsin's per capita income in the 1990's grew slightly faster than the per capita income of the Midwest and the nation.
And the cost of living is significantly lower in Milwaukee than in our main border-state competitors, Minneapolis and Chicago.
But on the other end of the spectrum, in the year 2000, Illinois and Minnesota workers earned more each year than the hard-working men and women in Wisconsin. That is unacceptable. We must do better.
We must set our goals high.
My vision for Wisconsin's future is expansive, but not expensive: we can make government at all levels work better and smarter. We will continue holding the line on spending and taxes so that Wisconsin moves out of the top five highest-tax states by 2003 and out of the top 10 by 2006.
With a statewide business plan as our roadmap, our goal will be to raise Wisconsin's per capita income above the national average by the end of 2005 and surpass Illinois and Minnesota in wages earned by the end of the decade!
In times of challenge, we must keep sight of our goals. In the coming years, we will build on our past successes to enhance our economic vitality and preserve our quality of life.
As I reflect on our state of the state, I am bolstered by the belief that the goodness and strength of our people will prevail. The future is ours to make. While some states may fret and worry about the future, the Wisconsin spirit will serve as our beacon for a prosperous and healthy Wisconsin.
Recently, I was asked what Wisconsin might look like in 10 years.
I see a future with a vibrant business climate that will continue to create good-paying jobs.
I see a thriving economy with nationally renowned companies opening their doors…. And a highly skilled workforce.
I see schools where children are challenged. Teachers are given the respect they deserve. And accountability is the common denominator for our entire school system.
I see children and families with health care and childcare.
I see top-notch academic programs producing first-rate students and leaders.
I see a national biotechnology center in Wisconsin.
I see basketball championship banners hanging from the rafters of the Kohl Center and the Bradley Center.
I see the Lombardi Trophy back at its rightful home – Lambeau Field… the same year the Badgers win the national championship on the gridiron.
I see families exploring open space, swimming at our pristine beaches, fishing in our lakes and riding on our bike paths.
I see a world-class transportation system that quickly and smoothly moves people and goods around and into Wisconsin…. And moves products out.
I see farmland where young children learn to carry on the historic legacy of the family farm from their parents and grandparents.
I see visitors and residents celebrating Wisconsin's ethnic and cultural diversity from Superior to Kenosha … from Marinette to Monroe.
I see great days ahead for men and women of will and vision.
But most of all, I see a Wisconsin in the shining light of a rising sun… fresh from the burning, creative hand of God.
Thank you very much. God bless you, and God bless Wisconsin.
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Adjourned.
7:45 P.M.
