Joint Finance Committee Republicans Okay with Taxpayers footing the Bill for Governor Walker’s Presidential Campaign Travel. Republicans also appear to place his political ambitions above the needs of their own constituents.

MADISON - With the state facing a $2.2 billion deficit, Republicans on the Joint Finance Committee missed an important opportunity today to reign in taxpayer spending of Governor Walker’s globetrotting efforts to bolster his presidential campaign. Republicans on the Joint Finance Committee opposed a plan that could give the Legislature oversight of the Governor’s travel which has included an increasing number of taxpayer –funded trips overseas.

“While Wisconsinites continue to struggle in a failing and uncertain economy, our jet-setting Governor is using their hard-earned tax dollars to fund trips to Europe and elsewhere to bolster his foreign policy credentials in support of his presidential campaign,” said Sen. Dave Hansen (D - Green Bay) noting that Walker’s recent trip to London alone cost taxpayers $138,000.

Wisconsin has seen the biggest decline in its middle class of all 50 states, lags the nation in job creation, and has seen its poverty rate increase under Governor Walker thanks to an economy that is increasingly becoming dependent on low-wage jobs.

“It is time for Governor Walker to come home, stay here, and work with both parties to pass a pro-growth agenda that includes investing in our public schools and universities, passing student loan debt reform, providing economic security to seniors and people with disabilities, and improving wages for Wisconsin workers and their families,” said Hansen.

Concerns are mounting that Governor Walker’s continued presidential campaign in the face of Wisconsin’s struggling economy and budget crisis shows that he places a higher priority on his presidential ambitions than he does on keeping his promises to the people he was elected to serve here at home.

Green Bay's Senator Hansen concluded “By opposing these common-sense protections for state taxpayers Legislative Republicans also appear to place his political ambitions above the needs of their own constituents.”