Now, I will share how our budget will reform state government.
I dare say that I don't think any of us grew up with the dream that someday we would be dependent on the government. It almost seems foreign to the American Dream.
But sadly, it seems some folks in Washington measure success in government by how many people are dependent on the government. In contrast, I measure success by just the opposite—by how many people are no longer dependent on the government.
No, we’re not talking about pushing people out on to the streets. Instead, we are talking about empowering people to control their own destiny with a job in the private sector where they can pursue their dreams. This is what truly leads to freedom and prosperity.
It is why our budget is built on a plan to reform a broken system and transition people from government dependence to true independence.
A major part of the plan is what we do with Medicaid and how it relates to the federal health care mandate. Specifically, our actions allow us to reduce the number of uninsured in our state by 224,580.
We also reduce the net number of people who are on government-run Medicaid. Some 87,000 people living above poverty will transition into the private or exchange markets, where they can get a premium for as low as $19 per month.
At the same time, we are able to add 82,000 people currently living in poverty. Many of these individuals were not covered by Medicaid in the past because of a cap put on the program by the previous governor. Going forward, everyone living in poverty will be covered under Medicaid.
This also prevents putting the state at risk of the federal government not being able to fulfill the enormous new financial obligation under the Affordable Care Act. Of the current $644 million cost to continue Medicaid in Wisconsin, about 39 percent of it comes from changes made by the federal government. If they cannot fulfill their current obligations, what makes us think the Congress and Administration can cover even bigger costs in the future when they are sitting on a $16.5 trillion debt?
Our budget proposes to reform entitlements in other ways, too.
Like most states, Wisconsin sought a waiver in the past from requiring job training to people on food stamps. Only a few have taken advantage of the voluntary program.
One of them is Elizabeth from Milwaukee. Last spring, she completed the Smart Path Program and got into the Milwaukee Area Technical College. While there, she completed the certified nursing assistant program and got a job as a CNA. Now, she is working to become a nurse.
Alan is another example. He started in the program last year and got help preparing for a job. Today, he has a full-time job with benefits. Alan is employed as a welder at a steel company in Milwaukee.
My budget changes the food stamp program so non-elderly, able-bodied adults will be required to be enrolled in employment training to receive food stamps. More than 75,000 people will benefit from getting extra help with job skills.
I’m all for providing a temporary hand up, but for those who are able-bodied, it should not be a permanent hand out. I care for the people of this state too much to force them to live a life of dependence on the government. I want those who are able to be prepared so they are ready to fill a job when one is found—so they can have the same type of success that Elizabeth and Alan have had with our program.
These reforms will help transition people from government dependence to true independence.
There is a reason we celebrate the 4th of July instead of April 15th. It is because we celebrate our independence as free men and women and not our dependence on the government. Our reforms move people to true independence.
This is the American Dream and our budget shows it is alive and well in Wisconsin. Our ancestors came to this country to embrace it—and we work hard each day—so our children can live it still today.
Many generations ago, my family came from Ireland, Wales, Scotland, and Germany to live this dream. Tonette’s family came from Italy. Just a generation ago, my brother’s in-laws came from Mexico. Each came to live the dream of more freedom and prosperity for future generations.
This is the same dream that Sgt. Cortes-Avila’s parents envisioned when they came to America. Now, their son is an American citizen and a veteran of this great country. Our budget puts in place reforms and performance measures to ensure that his and future generations have access to even more freedom and more prosperity for years to come.
So tonight, I ask for your help. Tonight, I ask the members of this state legislature to review, improve, and then pass this budget. Working together, we can continue to move Wisconsin forward.
Thank you, and may God richly bless each and every one of you.”
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Adjournment
The Joint Convention arose.
7:52 P.M.
