(MADISON) Senator Lena C. Taylor (D-Milwaukee), Senate Ranking Member of the Joint Committee on Finance made the following statement on today’s release of the condition of the state budget by the Legislative Fiscal Bureau:

“Today’s numbers and the expected shortfall in the budget prove one point – the budget of Governor Walker and Republicans has fallen short, and money that could have created jobs has not created anything. Wisconsin is expected to be in budget shortfall before the end of the biennium. The priorities of the Republicans, 2.3 billion dollars of tax breaks for big business, massive cuts to health care and education, and returning almost a billion dollars of federal money that could create jobs, simply have not inspired positive growth in job creation and consumer confidence in our state.  While the American economy has grown and jobs have been created, Wisconsin’s leadership has failed to make an economic recovery. The fact that Governor and my Republican colleagues are in a state of denial is evident. It is time for a change in our priorities and the people making those decisions. Wisconsin needs leaders who will be honest with themselves and the people.”