County Executive Falk Statement: Governor Walker’s Budget

March 01, 2011
Joshua Wescott, Office of the County Executive (608) 267-8823 or cell (608) 669-5606
County Executive

Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk issued the following statement regarding the budget proposal introduced by Governor Walker this afternoon:

“While the full effect of the Governor’s proposed budget will take some time to analyze, it’s evident his proposal will result in the loss of millions of dollars to Dane County.  While the full extent of those cuts remains to be seen, it’s reasonable to expect that basic services that citizens depend upon will be adversely affected.

Over 70% of the dollars in our county budget pay for public safety and human services that protect our most vulnerable - - our kids, families, seniors, and the disabled.  Many of these services are mandated by the state that the county has to provide including running a jail, protecting abused children, plowing highways, and programs for seniors.  Less state support for these services will no doubt harm the quality of life of all of our citizens.

Under my tenure as County Executive, we’ve held the line on property taxes  - - the average increase over those 14 years is roughly $12.87 per year. 

While the state experiences budget challenges year after year, in county government we’ve done the hard work to protect the basic services citizens expect while never forgetting that property taxes hit people hard.

Unlike our Governor, in Dane County we’ve worked with, not against employees to achieve savings for property taxpayers while treating our 911 dispatchers, snow plow operators, nurses, and other public employees fairly.  We’ve pursued new efficiencies and created innovative, new non-tax revenue sources to support vital services.

Because we’ve done it differently in Dane County, our county continues to be the fastest growing in Wisconsin and a great place to live, work, and raise a family.”