New Runways for Corporate Jets, Massive Subsidies for Foreign Corporations, Bupkis for Wisconsin Student Loan Borrowers

MADISON, Wis. — Today, Gov. Scott Walker, on the two year anniversary of the suspension of his 71-day run for President, signed the 76-day late 2017 state budget into law.

The following are the statements of One Wisconsin Now Executive Director Scot Ross:

“In the budget Gov. Walker signed today one rich guy, who donated to Walker’s failed Presidential campaign and the state GOP, will benefit from a law change that sends $4 million in state tax dollars to upgrade an airport’s runways so corporate jets can more smoothly ferry golfers to his exclusive resort.

“And Gov. Walker also signed away up to $3 billion in our state tax dollars as part of the largest ever state subsidy to a foreign corporation this week.

“Meanwhile student loan borrowers in Wisconsin, who worked hard to get their education and took on the personal responsibility to pay for it, get bupkis.

“With their actions this week Gov. Walker and his Republican legislative enablers have put on a stunning display of their misplaced priorities and failed policies.”

Among the provisions included in the state spending plan covering the next two years is $4 million to upgrade the runways at a small central Wisconsin airport to accommodate corporate jet traffic bringing golfers to an exclusive resort developed by a major donor to Gov. Walker and the state GOP.

Among the provisions not included in the bill is any state help refinancing the student loans of nearly one million Wisconsin borrowers with over $19 billion in debt, a policy proposal broadly supported by registered voters in a recent poll.

Walker this week also signed legislation to move forward with the largest ever state subsidy for a foreign corporation, putting Wisconsin taxpayers on the hook for $3 billion for Taiwanese electronics manufacturer Foxconn.