This Just In ...

The State of the State: What a difference a year makes

Posted by Kevin Fischer on Feb. 1, 2011

Here are some excerpts from Jim Doyle’s State of the State address last January, his last as Wisconsin governor:

“And we’ve brought a Spanish train manufacturer here to build high speed trains. With the Obama Administration’s support, Wisconsin is poised to be the nation’s leader in high speed rail manufacturing.”

A total disaster. Wisconsin and many other states have said no to the high speed rail boondoggle.

“Let’s also pass legislation to create a Regional Transit Authority in southeast Wisconsin.”

Another horrendous idea from one of the worst governors in Wisconsin history, giving an unelected, unaccountable authority the power to enact all kinds of tax increases.

“Four years ago, we became one of the first states to enact renewable portfolio standards. These standards require a portion of our energy to be produced from renewable sources.

As a result, we’ve seen a rapid expansion in renewable energy production and real growth in clean energy jobs. We are one of the leading producers of ethanol in the country. And we have more than 300 companies and thousands of jobs in the wind industry.

Let’s quickly pass the Clean Energy Jobs Act to create new jobs in Wisconsin.”

Governor Doyle’s Global Warming package never did pass, thankfully, that would have resulted in so many stringent rules and regulations so as to stifle economic development, kill jobs, and raise taxes.

“We are the only state directing 100 percent of our state energy funds from the Recovery Act -- more than $55 million -- to help our biggest manufacturers bring down their costs through energy efficiency and renewable energy projects.”

Oh, really, Diamond Jim? The Associated Press reported the stimulus created ZERO jobs. So how many did it create in Wisconsin?

“BadgerCare Plus is proof of our success. Today we are covering every child in Wisconsin. And through our BadgerCare Core Plan, we are providing health care for adults who work in low-income jobs but don’t have children.

We knew our Core Plan was badly needed. We enrolled 64,000 people in the first few months. But the program had to be capped to stay within our budget.

So we are moving forward with BadgerCare Basic -- a new, entirely self funded plan for those on the Core waiting list. It will cost $130 a month -- paid for entirely by the people who enroll. It is a basic plan. But at least people can visit a doctor, get the medications they need, and go to the hospital if necessary. And it won’t cost taxpayers a dime.”

Wrong. The Doyle administration promised more than it could afford, resulting in too many applications for slots available.  More irresponsible spending that the new governor and legislature must now address...

“Today, Wisconsin’s state and local tax rankings are their lowest in nearly 50 years.”

You have got to be joking. I’m sure this came as a great consolation to the many taxpayers who saw their bills go up and up and up the past eight years under the Doyle regime.

“Tonight, we want to honor the sacrifice of these Wisconsin heroes ... and all those who have given their lives for our country. We owe them a debt of gratitude we can never repay. We also want to honor those who are still serving our country ... and those who have just come home.”

Awfully nice for the cameras. But Jim Doyle supported Barack Obama, the biggest and most vociferous opponent of our war efforts and our troops.

Oh, yes. What a difference a year makes. God bless Governor Walker and the state he now governs with a motto it real now truly live up to:

“FORWARD!”