Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker Proposes Massive School Cuts

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker forged ahead with his cost-cutting budget Wednesday despite a campaign by liberal groups to recall Republican state senators. Walker’s budget cuts 8 percent of state aid to districts and also reduces the districts’ ability to make up the difference through property taxes. Walker said he had to strip unions of their right to collective bargaining because of the deep budget cuts. However, Walker was forced to remove the cuts to get the bill passed with Democratic senators refusing to return to the state to vote. Massive campaigns—both national and local—are being undertaken to recall 16 state senators. Eight Democrats and eight Republicans are under attack in the recall, which if enough signatures are gathered, could result in elections this summer. Under the state constitution, the governor cannot be recalled in his first year in office.