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.
Senate amendment 1 to Senate Bill 353 offered by Senator Harsdorf.
Senate amendment 1 to Senate Bill 435 offered by Senator Robson.
Chief Clerk's Report
The Chief Clerk records:
Senate Joint Resolution 57
Deposited in the office of the Secretary of State on March 4, 2002.
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Senate Enrolled Proposals
The Chief Clerk records:
Senate Joint Resolution 30
Senate Joint Resolution 53
Senate Joint Resolution 54
Senate Bill 302
Senate Bill 330
Senate Bill 360
Report correctly enrolled on March 1, 2002.
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Corrections In:
SENATE AMENDMENT 1,
TO 2001 ASSEMBLY BILL 470
Prepared by the Legislative Reference Bureau
(March 1, 2002)
1. Page 1, line 1: after "bill," insert "as shown by assembly substitute amendment 1,".
Corrections In:
ASSEMBLY AMENDMENT 1,
TO 2001 ASSEMBLY BILL 843
Prepared by the Legislative Reference Bureau
(February 28, 2002)
Page 4, line 10: before "and (2)" insert ", (1m),".
