Republicans Should Follow Walker
By Stephen Pigeon
Wisconsinites
may have noticed the deafening silence that is coming out of the state
Capitol these days. The
Wisconsin Senate and Assembly have taken their summer recess and
presumably are back in their districts listening to the needs and desires
of their constituents.
Surely, during these conversations the topic of the Wisconsin State budget, or lack thereof, has come up. With no new state budget in place prior to the recess, Wisconsin continues to operate on the last biennial budget.
It may surprise some, Democrats especially, that since June 31st Wisconsin has been operating on a 0% increase budget. Despite no increases in the state budget; State Troopers are assisting motorists along state highways, the department of motor vehicles continues to issue licensees, people are receiving healthcare through Badger Care, the Marquette Interchange remains under construction, and the State Fair went off without a hitch. One may even conclude that last year’s budget was sufficient to operate the state this year.
There are calls for Republicans to meet Democrats half way on the budget, or more accurately put, to increase the state tax burden by 50% instead of 100%. Anticipating a very intense, public, and at times dramatic budget debate process, both Republicans and Democrats are devising ways to win and ensure that they will be able to be re-elected.
Republicans do not have to look far to witness a winning budget strategy. Milwaukee County Executive and former gubernatorial candidate Scott Walker has demonstrated that a no budget increase, fiscally conservative message can resonate with voters. Walker’s successes are especially noteworthy since he is doing it in county that few would describe as being conservative.
Walker’s formula is simple and easy to emulate: Justify all government expenditures, seek out non-government solutions to problems, and then follow through on the positions that you take and promises that you make. The last part of the formula is the hardest and where many Republicans have failed. In the case of Walker he has excelled at this point and as a result is not expected to face a serious challenger for reelection in April.
During the state budget debate in the coming weeks, months, and possibly quarters, I encourage Wisconsin Senate and Assembly Republicans to look towards Walker’s formula and apply it to the state budget debate. They should take the hard line and explain to Wisconsin residents that they do not feel that Wisconsin Democrats are not able to justify extracting twice as much money from the taxpayers then is currently being done.
This should be followed up by taking all necessary measures to ensure that they win the battle at the Capitol, and next year go back to their constituents and explain that they did what they said they would do. Using Walker’s formula, a victory in 2007 will lead to victories in 2008.