• Website:  http://www.transition.wi.gov,
• Facebook:www.facebook.com/pages/Governor-Scott-Walker/17522097916182
• Twitter: @GovWalker

WALKER ANNOUNCES 'TURNAROUND TEAM' APPOINTEES

Today, Governor-elect Walker announced the following appointees to a "Turnaround Team" to focus on job creation. This team will work on legislative priorities and initiatives as the new Governor and Administration prepare to take office. The appointees that were named today include:

• Cabinet Appointment Team Leaders: Michael Grebe; John Matthews of Racine, a former chief of staff to former Gov. Thompson.
• Wisconsin Open for Business Special Session Team Leaders: Former Lt. Gov. Farrow; Susan Marks, CEO of Pinstripe, Inc. of Milwaukee.
• Pro-Growth Budget Team Leaders: Rick Chandler, former DOR Secretary and Budget Director; Rep. Kitty Rhoades of Hudson, former co-chair of the Joint Finance Committee (www.thewheelerreport.com).

Also, this week, Governor-elect Walker's Transition Director, John Hiller, said that the Governor-elect is expected to begin making Cabinet announcements on Monday, November 29, which is the Monday after Thanksgiving.

WALKER ASKS DOYLE ADMINISTRATION TO DELAY KEY ITEMS

Late last week, Governor-elect Walker, in a letter to DOA Secretary Schooff, asked the Doyle Administration to hold off on some major items as the Doyle Administration comes to the end.

According the Wheeler Report, Walker has specifically asked for:

• A temporary freeze on any new implementation of the federal health care law, including establishment of exchanges, until after Jan. 3.
  
• Suspension of current state employee contract negotiations for the 2009-11 contracts
  
• Suspension of finalization of any permanent civil service personnel during the final two months of the current administration.
  
• A delay in the promulgation of any new, or updated, administrative rules until after Jan. 3.
  
• A change in direction for the Charter Street Power Plant in Madison.
  

Walker's letter also indicated that there would be additional requests to the Doyle Administration as it winds down its final days (www.thewheelerreport.com).

To view the Walker letter, click here:

http://thewheelerreport.com/releases/November10/Nov11/1111walkerdoaletter.pdf

To view the Doyle Administration's response letter from DOA Secretary Schooff, click here:

http://thewheelerreport.com/releases/November10/Nov11/1111doaresponsetowalker.pdf

Budget Deficit at $2.2 Billion Heading into Next Biennium

Today, DOA projected a $1.5 billion gap between expected revenue and agency spending requests through the next biennium, which ends on June 30, 2013..

According to WisPolitics.com, the report notes the number assumes the federal government will continue providing its current share of Medicaid after June 30, 2011. DOA also notes the projected shortfall does not include the $200 million the state must return to the Patients Compensation Fund. The total budget gap is now $2.2 billion, which combines revenues and spending requests.

To view the budget report, click here:
http://www.wispolitics.com/1006/101119_Nov_20_Report.pdf

Senate Republicans

• Senate President: Mike Ellis (R-Grand Chute)
• Senate President Pro Tem: Joe Leibham (R-Sheboygan)
  
• Majority Leader: Scott Fitzgerald (R-Hustiford)
  
• Assistant Majority Leader: Glenn Grothman (R-West Bend)
  
• Caucus Chair: Dan Kapanke (R-La Crosse)
  
• Caucus Vice Chair: Sheila Harsdorf (R-River Falls)
  

Senate Democrats

• Minority Leader: Mark Miller (D-Monona)
  
• Assistant Minority Leader: Dave Hansen (D-Green Bay)
  
• Caucus Chair: Julie Lassa (D-Stevens Point)
  
• Caucus Vice Chair: Kathleen Vinehout (D-Alma)
  

Assembly Republicans

• Speaker: Jeff Fitzgerald (R-Horicon)
  
• Speaker Pro Tem: Bill Kramer (R-Waukesha)
  
• Majority Leader: Scott Suder (R-Abbottsford)
  
• Assistant Majority Leader: Dan Knodl (R-Menomonee Falls)
  
• Caucus Chair: Scott Gunderson (R-Waterford)
  
• Caucus Vice Chair: John Murtha (R-Baldwin)
  

Assembly Democrats

• Minority Leader: Peter Barca (D-Kenosha)
  
• Assistant Minority Leader: Donna Seidel (D-Wausau)
  
• Caucus Chair: Kelda Helen Roy (D-Madison)
  
• Caucus Vice Chair: Fred Clark (D-Baraboo)
  

• Co-chair: Alberta Darling (R-River Hills)
  
• Vice chair: Luther Olsen (R-Ripon)
•  Sheila Harsdorf (R-River Falls)
  
• Joe Leibham (R-Sheboygan)
• Glenn Grothman (R-West Bend)
• Randy Hopper (R-Fond du Lac)
• Lena Taylor (D-Milwaukee)
• Bob Jauch (D-Poplar)

• Co-chair: Robin Vos (R-Burlington)
  
• Vice chair: Mark Gottieb (R-Port Washington)
  
• Dan Meyer (R-Eagle River)
  
• Dan LeMahieu (R-Cascade)
• John Nygren (R-Marinette)
• Pat Strachota (R-West Bend)
• Democratic appointee TBD
• Democratic appointee TBD