You Know What They Say About Assuming...

Today's Journal Sentinel Headlines say it all about Scott Walker's sham budget. "$30 million hole..." and "Walker plan is built on assumed revenue". Here is a partial listing of the many assumptions that Scott Walker made in this year's budget:

As he did last year, Scott Walker assumes worker concessions that he has not even negotiated much less won.($17 million)

Scott Walker assumes an unrealistic amount of revenue from possible land sales. ($7 million)

Scott Walker assumes that Milwaukee County suddenly wont have to pay money to the state that is due. ($7 million)

Scott Walker assumes an unsupported amount of revenue from TV screen advertising on buses. ($2 million)

Scott Walker assumes that voters wont notice his budgetary game playing.

As I commented on Twitter, I would like to try doing my own budget like Scott Walker does it for Milwaukee County. The only thing that I need to know is exactly where do I list my assumed revenue from a big lottery win? On second thought, maybe I shouldn't do that...you know what they say about assuming.

Walker's Election Year Conversion on Mental Health...and everything else

I could have just as easily named this "Walker's election year conversion on....everything".

Although he has consistently and drastically cut staff in the Behavioral Health Division, suddenly he wants to add staff.

In 7 of his last 8 budgets he has consistently proposed a higher tax levy. Now he wants a reduction.

Walker has proposed increasing spending 35% in his previous 8 budgets. Now he suddenly wants to reduce his normal spending habits.

In his first 6 years Walker raised bus fares 50%, simultaneously making it one of the most expensive systems as well as one with historic losses in ridership. Now he suddenly wants to change that pattern by not raising fares.

Every year Walker trots out all of his same risky privatization schemes, but suddenly this year he has not proposed them.

For several years running, Walker has proposed defacing our lakefront by putting parking meters there. Suddenly he has changed course.

In the middle of the worst recession since the great depression, Walker eliminated the economic development division. Then in 2010 created a new entity but didn't hire a director for it until a few weeks ago.

The list goes on and on but the bottom line is this: Scott Walker will say and do anything to win an election, no matter how shameless. The perfect example is the election year conversions that are clearly demonstrated in his proposed 2011 budget.