Rep. Shankland: Response to Governor Walker’s State of the State Address

MADISON – Representative Katrina Shankland (D-Stevens Point) released the following statement today in response to Governor Walker’s 2017 State of the State address:

“Today, Governor Walker asked us all if we’re better off than we were six years ago. Republicans have had total control of state government for six years. In that time, Wisconsin has ranked worst in the nation for the middle class, third worst in the nation for roads, 34^th in the nation for jobs, and 49^th in broadband speed. The answer to the governor’s question is clear: no.

“Republicans should be working with Democrats to invest in the middle class and help working families get ahead. This is what I would have liked the governor to focus on today. I hear from people every day who work hard and wonder when state government will tackle the issues that matter most – from the rising cost of childcare, to stagnant wages, to their inability to retire with economic security.

“Over the past six years of one-party rule, Republicans could have led on workforce issues by investing in education at every level. Instead, our public schools lost about a billion dollars in state aid, our world-class university system lost over $750 million, and we rank third in the nation for percentages of graduates with student loan debt.

“Governor Walker should also prioritize investments in our infrastructure – from bridges to roads to rural broadband. With Wisconsin ranking third worst in the nation for roads, the governor has still not provided leadership on a long-term, sustainable funding solution, instead punting on funding again. And he turned down millions of federal dollars to expand broadband access, choosing instead to wait six years to spend state tax dollars on a long-delayed broadband expansion.

“Governor Walker should have focused his State of the State address on growing opportunity for the hard-working people of Wisconsin. Wisconsin faces a nearly $700 million projected budget shortfall. Many people are wondering when government will work for them, not special interests. The reality is that one-party rule is not working in Wisconsin, and we have a lot of work to do to improve our great state.”