Walker Releases "Budget Savings" in Budget Repair Bill  

Governor Walker this week went on the offense to further explain the cost savings that are part of the recently signed budget repair bill for local municipalities and school districts.   

In a letter announcing the savings, Governor Walker said that "by

limiting collective bargaining to wages, which is still more than federal employees

enjoy, local elected leaders now have the ability to manage their costs without relying

exclusively on reductions in services or lay offs. Local officials must be creative and

make the hard decisions. The ability and tools to make them are now at hand."

To view Governor Walker's letter, click here:

http://thewheelerreport.com/releases/March11/0316/0316walkercoverletter.pdf

To see a link to county and municipal aid reductions and savings, click here:

http://thewheelerreport.com/releases/March11/0316/0316walkercountyandmuniaid.pdf

Click here to view a link to school savings and aid reductions:

http://thewheelerreport.com/releases/March11/0316/0316walkerschoolsavings.pdf

Dane County Judge Maryann Sumi today granted a temporary restraining order blocking publication of the collective bargaining bill.  

The issue was brought to the Dane County Courthouse as a result of Dane County District Attorney Ismael Ozanne's complaint that the passage of the budget repair bill by the conference committee violated the state's open meetings law.

In her decision, Judge Sumi said she was given no evidence to show why the conference committee could not have given a 24-hour notice for its meeting last week or why a timely notice was not provided (www.wispolitics.com).

Sumi said similar to the First Amendment protections of controversial speech, "the open meetings law exists to ensure open government in controversial matters."

Reaction to the decision split along partisan lines.

Republican Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen raised immediate concerns with the Dane County Judge's ruling by saying "that the Legislature and Governor not a single Dane County Circuit Court Judge, are responsible for the enactment of laws."

To view supporting documents from the AG's office:

- Brief opposing motion for temporary injunction

- Motion to dismiss

- Brief in support of motion to dismiss

Governor Walker:

"This legislation is still working through the legal process," spokesman Cullen Werwie wrote in an e-mail. "We are confident the provisions of the budget repair bill will become law in the near future."

Assembly Democratic Leader Peter Barca (D-Kenosha):

"As you know from the moment they called this (joint conference meeting) I felt it would be a violation of the open meetings law. Our government has a system of checks and balance," he said. Since the dawn of our democracy ... the courts have stepped in and they play a very vital role. I'm very pleased at this preliminary decision and we'll move forward from here."

Note: Statements taken from

www.wispolitics.com.