When I was running for the State Assembly, the two themes I heard the most from when I talked with you at the doors were jobs and the state budget.  The January Special Session on jobs was established to improve the business climate here in Wisconsin.  Today, the Department of Workforce Development released their numbers showing we had a net gain of 1,600 manufacturing jobs in the state in May alone.  Since the start of the year, Wisconsin has created over 30,000 and is on pace to hit Governor Walker's goal of 250,000 jobs by the end of his first term.  We will still create legislation that rolls back government interference in the marketplace, and let private businesses do what they do best.

The second important step came after 3 AM earlier this morning.  After over 12 hours of debate, the Assembly passed the first balanced budget in 20 years with a vote of 60-38.  All Republicans and the one Independent Legislator voted for passage, while every single Democrat voted against.  This is a budget that takes a $3.6 Billion deficit and turns it into a $306 million surplus in 2013.  The Democrats introduced 40 amendments on the bill that would have increased spending by over $2 Billion dollars - an increase that would have left us not even close to a balanced budget.

It is true that there had to be some painful cuts.  Every area except Medicaid, where we increased funding by $1.7 Billion, was affected.  Education funding levels were returned to 2008 levels.  Governor Doyle took Federal Stimulus dollars and created new education spending, as opposed to doing what they were intended for and maintaining current levels.  We no longer had the $5 Billion in one-time Federal stimulus funding to balance the budget.  However, the tools that were given to school districts in the form of pension and health care contributions will offset these cuts.  The Oshkosh School District has already announced that they will actually come out ahead with the dollars they save by asking their employees to pay 12.6% of their health insurance and 5.8% of their pension.

No taxes or fees were raised in this budget.  At the same time, in an effort to stimulate manufacturing in Wisconsin, a tax credit was given to manufacturers.  Also, a property tax cap was put in place.  Homeowners over the course of this budget will see an average increase of only $26/year on their property tax bills.

Over the last decade members of both parties have played gimmicks with the State budget.  The passage of this bill will put our state on a more solid ground going into the next budget of 2013, and not have to make as drastic of cuts the next time around.  Our next step must be to tackle the over $13 Billion in debt the state has accumulated, and you cannot do that without a balanced budget.

I want to thank everyone who called and emailed my office during the budget debate in support or disagreement.  And do not hesitate to continue contacting my in the future!

Last week I was quote in the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel that "45% of all births in Wisconsin are paid for by the state, and over 60% in Milwaukee County".  This statement was investigated by the Journal's "Politifact" team and given their highest rating of "True".  You can read all about their analysis in the following link:
http://www.politifact.com/wisconsin/statements/2011/jun/14/michelle-litjens/wisconsin-gop-rep-michelle-litjens-says-taxpayers-/

In addition, the Beloit Daily News also picked it up and did their own editorial on the issue:

http://www.beloitdailynews.com/articles/2011/06/15/opinion/todays_opinion/edit1502.txt