Does Wisconsin need a tax-and-spend Democrat, as Bill Clinton says, to replace Gov. Walker who, in 18 short months, eliminated the state deficit WITHOUT RAISING TAXES?

Blog Title: "Scott Walker’s budget lie (yes, LIE) he receives a “pass” from the media on again and again…"
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In January 2011, before Scott Walker took office, the non-partisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau (LFB) sent their annual letter to Joint Finance Chairs Alberta Darling and Robin Vos (2011_01_31Vos&Darling; LFB Memo ). When Walker took office, the LFB forecast a $56.3 million SURPLUS – after accounting for the $65 million statutory “minimum balance.” That’s correct – Wisconsin was poised for a surplus on the day Scott Walker took office.

The same memo one year later shows the effects of the Walker budget, and GOP “business friendly” policies. In essence, Scott Walker created the crisis with his policies – as shown in the LFB memo to Darling and Vos dated February 9, 2012 (2012_02_09_Darling_Vos_Revenue estimates). As cited above, the deficit in the biennial budget of a combined $261 million is attributed to Acts passed in 2011. Decreased income tax collections and personal revenue collections are attributed directly to the impact of Act 10 on working families (in essence, a tax increase):

“The revised estimates incorporate
the effects of a number of law changes estimated to reduce revenues by approximately $175
million in 2011-12 and $225 million in 2012-13. The most significant law changes are increased
deductions for medical insurance premiums, tax deferrals for capital gains that are reinvested in
Wisconsin-based businesses, and exclusions and deductions related to health savings accounts.
Income tax collections will also be reduced as a result of the additional state and local employee
retirement and health insurance contributions required under 2011 Act 10.”

The tax giveaways to corporations also have had an effect on state revenues, especially in the DOR’s ability to collect taxes due big, profitable corporations by opening up previously closed loopholes:

“The corporate income and franchise tax estimates have been adjusted to reflect the effect
of certain law changes, including requiring corporations that are members of a unitary group to
file combined returns, repealing the domestic production activities deduction, requiring
throwback sales to be included 100% in the apportionment formula, allowing combined groups
to use pre-2009 net business loss carry-forwards, and the phase-in of the state qualified
production activities tax credit”

The analysis shows that instead of CREATING jobs and increasing business activity, Walker policies are actually slowing output and production, as consumer demand and buying power stagnates – a function of the persistent long-term unemployment problem:

“…overall business activity is
projected to continue to expand, but at a slower pace than in 2010 and 2011. For example, real
investment in equipment and software, which increased by 14.6% in 2010, and by an estimated
10.3% in 2011, is projected to increase by 7.9% in 2012, and 7.6% in 2013. Real durable goods
purchases increased by 7.2% in 2010 and by an estimated 8.1% in 2011, but are forecast to
increase by 5.6% in 2012, and 4.5% in 2013. Manufacturing output growth is projected to be
4.3% in 2012 and 3.4% in 2013, after increasing 5.4% in 2010 and by an estimated 4.5% in
2011.”

So much for the “job creators.” How could Walker show a balanced budget, much less a surplus, in the face of this LFB analysis? Simple – as with the disputed job numbers, he made his own surplus – empowered by Acts 13 and 32 of the 2011 GOP-controlled Legislature – who are all complicit in this fiscal fraud.

Simply stated – Scott Walker pushed off paying state debt in the amount of over $500 million to 2030. The interest paid will total over $156 million. This is all debt that should have been by the end of 2011-2012. It is critical to understand that the deficit Scott Walker created in 2011, and decrease in revenue collections from his fiscal policies are the very reason this debt is being pushed off over two decades – placing a higher burden on future generations.

Either you haven't taken time to review Barrett's record, or you are deliberately lying.

Further, you call Barrett a "Moderate." Moderate WHAT? Surely not a moderate hybrid of true Liberal and Republican principles [for THAT is what a true "moderate" would be, sandwiched in the middle of both parties' agendas].

In case you were sincere and merely spoke about Barrett out of naive ignorance, please come to grips with the following reality:

Milwaukee’s taxes went up 7 of the 8 years Barrett has been mayor.

Property taxes have increased by $48 million under Barrett’s watch.

Tom Barrett tried to raise $14 million in fees on Milwaukee taxpayers in 2012.

Spending has increased in Milwaukee by more than $338 million under Barrett.

Unemployment rates increased to 27% under Barrett.

Milwaukee is the 9th poorest city in America and ranks one of the worst major cities for unemployment under Tom Barrett.

Under Barrett, Milwaukee has one of the worst graduation rates in the entire country.

In other words, Tom Barrett has been an abject FAILURE as a mayor. So WHY would you want to replace Governor Scott Walker with this guy? Is partisan loyalty your first consideration over who is actually a better candidate?

I'm an Independent, with no partisan loyalties whatsoever. When I voted last time for state candidates, I chose seven Republicans to vote for, and five Democrats, one a true "moderate" who was elected as governor. You too should choose the best, not vote according to party.

And Walker is most definitely far better for Wisconsin than is Barrett!