Changes

===Progress===

===Progress===

When Scott Walker took office, Wisconsin had a budget deficit of $3.6 billion.<ref name="Helped">Szafir, CJ (April 22, 2016). [http://www.nationalreview.com/article/434401/ Walker’s Union Reforms Have Helped, Not Hurt, Wisconsinites]. ''National Review''. Retrieved October 21, 2016.</ref> Instead of raising taxes, the governor has set out on a mission to reduce costs across the board, make Wisconsin a business-friendly state, and give local governments the ability to make their own spending decisions.<ref name="Helped"/> The state's [[labor union]]s were in an uproar and protested Walker's decision to end union [[collective bargaining]] and force employees to fund part of their pensions, as well as to contribute to their own health and life insurance.

When Scott Walker took office, Wisconsin had a budget deficit of $3.6 billion.<ref name="Helped">Szafir, CJ (April 22, 2016). [http://www.nationalreview.com/article/434401/ Walker’s Union Reforms Have Helped, Not Hurt, Wisconsinites]. ''National Review''. Retrieved October 21, 2016.</ref> Instead of raising taxes, the governor has set out on a mission to reduce costs across the board, make Wisconsin a business-friendly state, and give local governments the ability to make their own spending decisions.<ref name="Helped"/> The state's [[labor union]]s were in an uproar and protested Walker's decision to end union [[collective bargaining]] and weaken the tight grip they had on the state and its people.

Due to Walker's reforms, Wisconsin taxpayers have saved over $5.24 billion as of 2016, or $2,291 per household.<ref name="Helped"/> In addition, the state has saved over $3.36 billion and has increased its revenue by $404.8 million.<ref name="Helped"/> Despite leftist claims that Wisconsin's economy has stagnated under Walker, the evidence is overwhelming that the opposite is the case.<ref name="WSJ">Puzder, Andy (May 3, 2015). [http://www.wsj.com/articles/a-closer-look-at-scott-walkers-record-on-jobs-1430688558 A Closer Look at Scott Walker’s Record on Jobs]. ''The Wall Street Journal''. Retrieved October 21, 2016.</ref>

Due to Walker's reforms, Wisconsin taxpayers have saved over $5.24 billion as of 2016, or $2,291 per household.<ref name="Helped"/> In addition, the state has saved over $3.36 billion and has increased its revenue by $404.8 million.<ref name="Helped"/> Despite leftist claims that Wisconsin's economy has stagnated under Walker, the evidence is overwhelming that the opposite is the case.<ref name="WSJ">Puzder, Andy (May 3, 2015). [http://www.wsj.com/articles/a-closer-look-at-scott-walkers-record-on-jobs-1430688558 A Closer Look at Scott Walker’s Record on Jobs]. ''The Wall Street Journal''. Retrieved October 21, 2016.</ref>