In addition to dealing with the staggering $2.2 billion deficit he created, Scott Walker is facing another harsh fiscal reality as he campaigns for president as Wisconsin is projected to have a shortfall in its financial reserves — the only state without a positive balance in its general fund.
That’s according to a report released yesterday from the Pew Charitable Trusts which projected that Wisconsin would have less money in its financial reserve than any other state in the nation, only enough to sustain state government for approximately 12 days, or about half the national average.
The report came as Walker was set to address Republican party bosses and donors at the Republican National Committee’s winter meetings in California, just days after he delivered a State of the State address that was light on solutions for how to help Wisconsin’s middle class and heavy on self-promoting rhetoric for his presidential campaign. Documents obtained from the Walker administration indicate that the governor originally planned a statewide tour to discuss the State of the State this week; however, it was canceled as Walker traveled to California for at least two days worth of campaigning for president.
In addition to a speech for party insiders last night, news reports indicate that Walker is spending additional time in California meeting with big donors in advance of launching a political group of his own to fund his early presidential campaign efforts.
“Scott Walker said he was canceling his state fly-by to work on the budget, but now we know the truth — he wanted extra time to kiss the rings of Republican party kingmakers instead of fixing the fiscal problems he caused back in Wisconsin,” Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Mike Tate said Friday. “Unfortunately for Wisconsin families, Scott Walker has made clear that his presidential campaign is his top priority, not balancing the budget, creating jobs, increasing wages, or even keeping pace with most of the rest of the country.”
