Breaking Down Governor Walker's Budget Instructions to State Agency Heads

 LINK

Page 1, paragraph 1. 
Bashing unnamed past administrations.

• Delayed payments
• Raided segregated funds
• Used federal stimulus for ongoing operational expenses

Page 1, paragraph 2
Tooting his own horn.

• Increased revenue by 6.4%
• Balanced the budget
• Placed $14.8 million into budget stabilization fund

Page 1, paragraph 3
Some polishing up and there just might be a campaign song here.  "The new days of fiscal responsibility are here, and our broader economic recovery is gaining speed."

Page 1, paragraph 4
Building blocks

• Act 10 (budget repair bill)
• Act 13 (relating to state finances, the Medical Assistance program, granting bonding authority, and making appropriations)
• Act 27 (series of fiscal changes)
• Act 32 (budget bill)

Questions and answers Act 10 and Act 32. 

Page 1, paragraph 5
Cost pressures remain in some area

• Medicaid
• Corrections
• K-12
• Higher education

"....I plan to guide Wisconsin into increasingly stronger fiscal climates...."

Page 1, paragraph 6
Improved business rankings (2012)

• CNBC's "Top States for Business:  Wisconsin at #17, though still behind Minnesota (11). Iowa (12), Indiana (14).
• Chief Executive magazine:  
• Wisconsin at #20, up from #24 in 2011 and #41 in 2010.  (RG:  In this survey, one would be forgiven to think that perception is everything.)
• "This year, 650 business leaders responded to our annual survey, up from 550 in 2011."  (RG:  Doesn't sound very scientific to me.)

Economic initiatives

• Continuing role for Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation
• "...venture capital initiatives to push for and provoke much needed entrepreneurial development."  (RG:  I would substitute "encourage" for "provoke".)

Page 2, paragraph 1
Skilled and modern workforce (RG:  weak on specifics)

• "...implementing programs to train our friends and neighbors".
• "With innovative and strategic worker training....."

Page 2, paragraph 2
Transforming Wisconsin's education system

• Merit-based staffing (teacher evaluation model)
• Continuing focus on 3rd grade reading scores
• Improved overall education outcomes.  

Page 2, paragraph 3
Integration of private sector and educational institutions

• Better balance of employment-based education and liberal arts
• Increase online learning opportunities

Page 2, paragraph 4
Infrastructure investments

• Transportation
• Fund "common sense" projects (RG wonders, speaking in code?)
• End raids on transportation fund to maintain roads and bridges
• Telecommunications  (RG:  The word is used once, and then it seems as though the subject slipped from his mind by the time he reached the end of the paragraph.)
• Energy
• Diversify supply
• Balance of cost and sound science
• "...ever aware of environmental impact".
• Lift state's nuclear moratorium

Page 3, paragraph 1
Key phrases

• good stewards
• will not raise taxes
• seeking a smaller and more efficient government
  

Page 3, paragraph 2
Specific instructions

• General purpose revenue (GPR)
• FY13 and FY14 budget at FY12 adjusted base levels
• Minus statutory and discretionary lapses 
• Segregated revenue (SEG).  "Same zero-growth targets"

Focus of agency requests

• Enhancing state's economy
• Advancing goals set forth in these budget instructions

Page 3, paragraph 3
Budget requests due September 17, 2012.

Page 3, paragraph 4.
Thank you.