We are moving Wisconsin forward.
Just look at the results of our bold reforms for hard-working families — and see how far we’ve come.
Take how we’re moving Wisconsin forward for our workforce. More people are employed today than ever before. The percentage of people working is one of the best in the nation. And, for the first time ever, Wisconsin is a Top 10 state for business, according to Chief Executive Magazine.
State government just finished with a budget surplus for the sixth year in a row. Wisconsin is one of just three states with a fully-funded pension system, and is paying off past debt faster than it is taking it on. Three national agencies just upgraded our bond rating.
We’re also moving Wisconsin forward for students. We have some of the highest graduation rates in the nation and among the best ACT scores where we test all students. And our latest state budget invests more actual dollars into K-12 education than ever before.
To make college more affordable, tuition for all undergraduates from our state has been frozen at University of Wisconsin campuses for six years. Needs-based financial assistance is at an all-time high. And we made major new investments in our technical colleges and UW system.
All the while, we’re moving Wisconsin forward for taxpayers and making sure they’re getting their money’s worth. Property and income taxes will be lower in 2018 than in 2010. We actually eliminated the state property tax. And the cumulative impact of our overall tax relief through the end of this budget is $8 billion.
Able-bodied adults are now required to work at least 80 hours a month to get assistance from the state. We just approved requiring people to pass a drug test to get welfare – and we provide rehabilitation to get them healthy if they fail. And we end benefit cliffs to remove barriers to work. Public assistance should be a trampoline, not a hammock.
The results don’t stop there. We’re moving Wisconsin forward when it comes to health care, and we didn’t need Washington to do it. Health care systems in our state are ranked number one in the country for quality. We are one of the best states in the nation for access to health care. And we cover everyone living in poverty under Medicaid for the first time ever – without taking the Obamacare expansion.
Today, I am more optimistic about the future of Wisconsin than I have ever been. But there’s more to be done.
That’s why Lt. Governor Kleefisch and I are thrilled to announce our plans to run for another term as your Governor and Lt. Governor – to advance even more reform and keep moving Wisconsin forward!
We’ve made tough choices, and looking ahead, we’d like everyone to share in our economic opportunity. We want everyone who wants a job to find not just a job – but a career.
We want to ensure that every child has access to a great education at the public, charter, choice, private or home school setting that is right for them and for their family.
We want to increase household income by lowering the burden of taxes and regulations on our families.
We want to stop the growth of illegal drug and opioid abuse.
We want to make our state government even more effective, more efficient and more accountable to you – the people of Wisconsin.
We’ve come a long way, but there is more to be done. Together, we can keep moving Wisconsin forward.
Scott Walker is Governor of Wisconsin. He is running for a third term in 2018.
