Last night Gov. Walker delivered his 4th State of the State address, the final one of his first term. He used the opportunity to highlight his view of an ever improving economic situation in Wisconsin pointing to a number of statistics that show job creation, an increase in personal wealth, decreasing unemployment, more homes being built, and the newly announced $1 billion surplus.
The Governor detailed his plans for the surplus which included a $400 million property tax cut, an income tax cut, a state tax withholding freeze, and $35 million for workforce training.
Today, Gov. Walker will call for a special session to move his plan forward, but the path to passage is far from clear as Sen. Majority Leader Fitzgerald has already remarked that his caucus can not pass the governor's plan due to structural deficit concerns.
The speech was delivered under a spotlight that now includes a growing prospect at a run for president, as well as in what could be a competitive election year with a well financed Mary Burke having entered the race for Governor. Reactions to the speech are still coming in, but Gov. Walker's message was clear: Wisconsin has prospered under his policies, and will only continue to improve.
Click here to read the full text of the speech.