Joseph Leibham
Chairperson
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Senator Wirch, with unanimous consent, asked that the Senate recess until 4:46 P.M.
11:21 A.M.
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4:46 P.M.
The Senate reconvened.
Senator A. Lasee in the chair.
Senator Panzer, with unanimous consent, asked that the Senate recess until 6:45 P.M.
4:48 P.M.
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6:45 P.M.
The Senate reconvened.
Senator A. Lasee in the chair.
Senator Lasee, with unanimous consent, appointed Senators Schultz and Hansen to act as escorts to his Excellency the Governor.
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Senator Panzer, with unanimous consent, asked that the Senate recess for the purpose of awaiting the Governor's State of the State Address in Joint Convention in the Assembly Chambers at 7:00 P.M. and upon the rising of the Joint Convention recess until Thursday, January 22 at 10:00 A.M.
The Senate stood recessed.
6:47 P.M.
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The President of the Senate in the Chair.
The committee to await upon the Governor appeared with his excellency the Governor, who delivered his message as follows:
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Speaker Gard, President Lasee, Lieutenant Governor Lawton, Supreme Court Justices, constitutional officers, members of the Cabinet, tribal leaders, distinguished members of the Legislature, and fellow citizens of Wisconsin:
Last January -- after just three weeks in office -- I came before you to report that the state of our state was profoundly troubled.
After years of spending more than we could afford, we faced a $3.2 billion deficit -- the largest in Wisconsin history. After years of high taxes and over burdensome regulations, our economy was losing jobs, losing businesses, and losing steam.
Difficult times demanded difficult decisions, but we made them, and we're a better state because of it.
Our budget is balanced. We held the line on taxes. Democrats and Republicans are finding ways to get things done. And our economy is coming back to life.
And so -- while challenges remain -- I can report to my fellow citizens today: Wisconsin is back on track.
The first step to getting back on track was tackling our budget crisis.
The so-called experts said it couldn't be fixed … that it would require a massive tax increase … that it would result in devastating cuts to public schools, public safety, and public health.
But together, we proved the pundits wrong.
We balanced the budget. We did it honestly. We did it without tricks - and most importantly, we did it without raising taxes.
We didn't raise corporate taxes …we didn't raise income taxes … we didn't raise sales taxes … we didn't raise any taxes.
As a result, state taxes as a percentage of income are the lowest in 34 years.
Compare what we achieved to what happened around the country:
In dozens of other states, from Idaho to Indiana, they raised taxes.
In Kentucky, they let prisoners out early.
In Oregon, they cut the school year by as much as 17 days.
In Alabama, they put mannequins in state patrol cars.
In Texas, they took away health coverage from 160,000 kids.
And in California - well, you get the idea.
But Wisconsin is different. We cut thoroughly - but not thoughtlessly - so we could protect our most important priorities.
Let me tell you how we got back on track.
Under my budget, we slashed government overhead more than any administration - so we could increase funding for our schools by $189 million.
We got rid of two cabinet departments - so we could keep four-year-old kindergarten.
We said no to hundreds of millions of dollars in new spending requests from state agencies - so we could say yes to protecting health care for seniors.
In all, we cut government spending by $1.5 billion, trimmed the state payroll by 2,300 positions, held the line on taxes, and protected education, health care, and public safety.
That's a record Wisconsin can be proud of.
Balancing our budget without tax increases was the most important single thing we could do to put Wisconsin back on track. But it was only the beginning.
And so in September, I unveiled my Grow Wisconsin plan - a comprehensive agenda of action to create good, high wage, family supporting jobs for our citizens, and unleash over a billion dollars in public and private investment.
We succeeded where two previous Governors and Legislatures failed -- and passed the single factor tax reform to repeal the tax on creating jobs.
You passed, and I signed, comprehensive legislation to modernize and reform our financial system - protecting workers, and unleashing hundreds of millions of dollars in new investment.
We worked together to provide sales tax relief to manufacturers - to help them offset the cost of energy and create jobs.
We've moved farther and faster than any administration in memory to simplify and streamline regulations, improving our business climate while protecting our environment.
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This month, we reached across party lines and established the most aggressive regulatory reform in the Midwest - real reform that holds agencies accountable, mandates clear time lines on permits, and protects our environment. We did it right, and we did it
… together.
The bill preserves our high environmental standards. It creates jobs. And I will sign it tomorrow.
From funding the BioStar initiative to expanding access to technology zone tax credits, we're capitalizing on Wisconsin's leadership in research, biotechnology, and stem cells, and laying the foundation for a vast expansion in high tech jobs.
Grow Wisconsin says we can compete at the high end. We have the best workers making the best products, and we can out-compete, and out-produce any workers in the world.
Over the past year, there have been a few issues where we've had some mild disagreements.
Where we couldn't reach common ground, I have not been afraid to stand up for what I believe is in the best interest of the people of Wisconsin.
I protected four-year-old kindergarten and the SAGE small class size program when your budget cuts went too far.
I preserved our Stewardship program, to protect parks, trails, and natural areas.
I prevented the state from having to auction off our pristine public lands.
I stopped what would have been a $400 million cut to public education - a cut that would have put thousands of teachers out of work and put our children's education at risk.
And I stood with 65 Wisconsin sheriffs - many of whom have joined us tonight -- and every major law enforcement group in the state, to fight to uphold our 130 year ban on concealed weapons.
Wisconsin doesn't need guns in our shopping malls, movie theaters and on our playgrounds.
Tonight, I urge you to get back to the issues that really matter to our future - strengthening health care, creating jobs, and investing in kids.
The high profile battles we've had on a handful of issues are just part of the story.
The rest of the story is that in a time of great challenges, we came together and made great progress. From the economy to agriculture to public safety to transportation, Democrats and Republicans set aside party differences, and got something done.
Last year, I signed 111 bills into law - almost twice as many as in 2002, and nearly three times as many as in 2001.
The list of successes is long, and it is significant.
And now, after twelve months as your Governor, I stand here tonight more hopeful, more optimistic than ever, at what we can achieve on behalf of Wisconsin families.
The State of Wisconsin is back on track … and we are moving forward.
Tonight, I offer you my vision and my priorities for where we need to go as a state in the next year, in the next decade, and beyond - and I ask for your help in getting us there.
In some areas, I will present specific initiatives and recommend legislation that should be passed. In other areas, I'll outline the priorities I will use as I detail new proposals in the coming months, and put together the next budget.
I'm not here to unveil a host of expensive new programs, because while our state finances are back on track, we're not out of the woods yet. And in the coming months, we'll have to guard against returning to the old habits of passing bills our state just can't afford.
As Governor, I will fight to ensure that we are fiscally responsible … and that every taxpayer dollar is spent efficiently. We must stay focused on the priorities that matter most - education, health care, and jobs.
Let me begin where our work must begin - with our children.
Let's ask ourselves: How are we going to make sure that every child in Wisconsin has the opportunity to achieve his or her God-given potential?
