Some Representatives Praise Announced $1 Billion Savings from Act 10

Local state lawmakers are praising Gov. Scott Walker’s announcement that the state’s controversial budget repair law that significantly limited public unions in collective bargaining has reached $1 billion in savings.

"I think it's good news for tax payers that the changes that were made had a positive impact for school districts at a local level," said Jeff Stone, R-Greendale.

Stone said he has seen a positive impact in Greenfield with more than $1 million in savings to taxpayers with contributions necessary to pensions.

"It’s been a way to maintain the quality of staffing at a local level and reduce costs to taxpayers," Stone said. "When you look at this area that’s substantial savings."

Rep. Mike Kuglitsch (R-New Berlin) said the Whitnall School District, which is in the 84th Assembly District he represents, saved $950,000 and released this statement:

“I have said time and time again that I intend to bring fiscal responsibility to Madison and the announcement of over $1 billion being saved statewide shows that my colleagues and I have kept our promise to you. Our reforms have given local government the tools to balance their own budgets while still maintaining proper services for all the citizens of Wisconsin.”

“These bold reforms are the reason many communities were able to stay afloat during these tough economic times. ...

“Plain and simple, our reforms are working. There is no other way to say it. Without these reforms, Wisconsinites would have seen their taxes go up again; something many homes cannot afford. It was time we turned Wisconsin around, and I am pleased we are back on track to economic stability.”

The $1 billion in tax savings was made in less than a year from when the law went into effect, according to a news release from Walker’s office.

"This is a great day for the hardworking people of this state who pay for the expenses of government," Walker said in the release.

Melissa Baldauff, research director for the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, responded to Walker’s announcement by saying Walker’s numbers do not add up.

“Like pretty much everything else Scott Walker says, this claim is a distortion of reality that is a blatant attempt to distract from Walker’s real record of failure and dishonesty,” Baldauff said in a memo to reporters.

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, who is one of four Democrats running in the gubernatorial recall primary, said:

"Gov. Walker is desperate to distract attention from the fact that under his failed leadership Wisconsin lost 4,300 private sector jobs last month, and lost more jobs than any state in the country last year. What Walker isn't telling the people is that he made the deepest cuts to education in Wisconsin history, our state lost nearly 1,500 teacher positions over the past year, and we still have a $140 million budget deficit even though Walker raised fees on the people of Wisconsin by $110 million. This isn't a record to brag about – it’s a record that causes failed governors to be tossed from office."