Wisconsin

Walker Proposes $1.25B in Cuts

To schools and local governments.

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker is no less painful to state workers than his bill eliminating unions’ right to collective bargaining. On Tuesday, Walker proposed a two-year budget that slashes $1.25 billion in state aid to schools and local governments—cuts he said were necessary to close the $137 million budget shortfall. The proposed cuts are in addition to his controversial union-busting bill, and Walker has remained steadfastly in favor of cutting the capital gains tax “for investors in Wisconsin jobs that provide jobs for our people.” The brash governor said that if the 14 Democrats who have fled the state don’t return by Tuesday to approve the budget, the state could lose out on its chance to refinance $165 million in bonds, which could result in layoffs.