When Scott Walker and the Republicans took control of state government this January, they were tasked with cleaning up a huge mess left by the previous Democratic administration. Our state was facing a budget deficit over $3 billion. Our citizens, businesses, and jobs were leaving the state in droves as they fled a government that too often put itself in the way of economic prosperity.

On July 1st, Wisconsin sent a message to its people and the rest of the nation: Wisconsin is open for business. Our new state budget, along with other measures meant to encourage economic growth and job creation, have set Wisconsin on the right path. When facing such a massive deficit, government often must choose between tax increases that squeeze the middle class or drastic cuts to services. This makes it all the more amazing that our new budget transforms our $3 billion deficit into a $306 million surplus (as projected by the non‐partisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau) without any tax increases or significant cuts in government services. Our state government can finally live within its means, as its citizens must do every day.

Wisconsin Republicans realize that the private sector has struggled in the face of economic problems and rising taxes. We seek to turn that around with the budget by holding back taxes and investing in Wisconsin to encourage growth. The budget does not increase taxes or fees, does not raid funds, and for the first time in state history, freezes real estate property tax rates. Furthermore, the budget provides tax incentives for those who invest capital gains in Wisconsin and those who create manufacturing jobs for the people of Wisconsin. It streamlines licensing and regulation, eliminating much of the stifling bureaucracy that inhibits growth and job creation. It also promotes tourism and invests in transportation. We are already seeing the results of our new pro‐growth approach to governance. In a recent survey ranking state business environments, Wisconsin made the biggest jump in the history of the survey. We recognize that government does not create jobs. This is the role of the private sector. We must support private sector growth to ensure job creation and economic prosperity.

Despite our ability to hold the line on taxes, the budget is able to maintain the high level of services it offers the citizens of Wisconsin. We are able to do this in part because of the modest changes made to the benefit packages of public employees, benefits still more generous than most in the private sector. By asking our public employees to contribute to their pension and health care plans, we are able to better control costs at both the state and local level, allowing communities to implement these tools as they see fit. These and other changes prevent layoffs of public employees and ensure that Wisconsinites continue to enjoy a high level of services in our state now and for years to come. This reform makes government more efficient and rewards our most exceptional public employees for their hard work.

Regardless of our tremendous progress, we know that the budget is only the first step towards a better future in Wisconsin. We will continue to invest in our state, encouraging businesses to grow and creating new jobs in Wisconsin, and to make our state the envy of the nation.