Changes

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.

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"/><ref>[http://www.maciverinstitute.com/2016/02/act-10-saves-wisconsin-taxpayers-more-than-5-billion-over-5-years-maciver-analysis-finds/ Act 10 Saves Wisconsin Taxpayers More Than $5 Billion Over 5 Years, MacIver Analysis Finds]. ''MacIver Institute''. February 25, 2016. Retrieved July 4, 2018.</ref> 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>

Walker has been a strong advocate for the [[unborn]]. In 2011, he signed the Wisconsin state budget into law, which defunded [[Planned Parenthood]], making Wisconsin the fourth state to defund the illegal program.<ref>Zagorski, Sarah (August 24, 2015). [http://www.lifenews.com/2015/08/24/scott-walker-pushes-bill-to-de-fund-planned-parenthood-after-it-sells-aborted-baby-parts/ Scott Walker Pushes Bill to De-Fund Planned Parenthood After It Sells Aborted Baby Parts]. ''LifeNews.com''. Retrieved October 21, 2016.</ref> In addition, Walker has signed other [[pro-life]] bills into law,<ref>[http://archive.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/scott-walker-outlines-abortion-gay-marriage-positions-in-letter-b99375704z1-279975922.html Scott Walker outlines abortion, gay marriage positions in letter]. ''Milwaukee Journal Sentinel'' (from ''AP''). October 22, 2014. Retrieved October 21, 2016.</ref> including one to ban abortion after the 20th week of pregnancy.<ref>Stein, Jason (July 20, 2015). [http://archive.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/scott-walker-signs-bill-banning-abortions-after-20-weeks-b99540949z1-317539131.html Scott Walker signs 20-week abortion ban, trooper pay raise]. ''Milwaukee Journal Sentinel''. Retrieved October 21, 2016.</ref> He has criticized the notion that abortion is necessary to save the life of the mother in certain cases, calling it a "false choice."<ref>Spicuzza, Mary (August 8, 2015). [http://archive.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/scott-walker-calls-abortion-to-save-a-womans-life-a-false-choice-b99553080z1-321141741.html Scott Walker calls abortion to save a woman's life a 'false choice']. ''Milwaukee Journal Sentinel''. Retrieved November 19, 2016.</ref> On April 3, 2018, Walker signed a bill into law that excluded abortion coverage from state health insurance plans.<ref>Freiburger, Calvin (April 3, 2018). [https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/wisconsin-governor-signs-bill-banning-abortion-insurance-coverage-for-state Wisconsin governor signs bill banning abortion insurance coverage for state employees]. ''LifeSiteNews''. Retrieved April 4, 2018.</ref>

Walker has been a strong advocate for the [[unborn]]. In 2011, he signed the Wisconsin state budget into law, which defunded [[Planned Parenthood]], making Wisconsin the fourth state to defund the illegal program.<ref>Zagorski, Sarah (August 24, 2015). [http://www.lifenews.com/2015/08/24/scott-walker-pushes-bill-to-de-fund-planned-parenthood-after-it-sells-aborted-baby-parts/ Scott Walker Pushes Bill to De-Fund Planned Parenthood After It Sells Aborted Baby Parts]. ''LifeNews.com''. Retrieved October 21, 2016.</ref> In addition, Walker has signed other [[pro-life]] bills into law,<ref>[http://archive.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/scott-walker-outlines-abortion-gay-marriage-positions-in-letter-b99375704z1-279975922.html Scott Walker outlines abortion, gay marriage positions in letter]. ''Milwaukee Journal Sentinel'' (from ''AP''). October 22, 2014. Retrieved October 21, 2016.</ref> including one to ban abortion after the 20th week of pregnancy.<ref>Stein, Jason (July 20, 2015). [http://archive.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/scott-walker-signs-bill-banning-abortions-after-20-weeks-b99540949z1-317539131.html Scott Walker signs 20-week abortion ban, trooper pay raise]. ''Milwaukee Journal Sentinel''. Retrieved October 21, 2016.</ref> He has criticized the notion that abortion is necessary to save the life of the mother in certain cases, calling it a "false choice."<ref>Spicuzza, Mary (August 8, 2015). [http://archive.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/scott-walker-calls-abortion-to-save-a-womans-life-a-false-choice-b99553080z1-321141741.html Scott Walker calls abortion to save a woman's life a 'false choice']. ''Milwaukee Journal Sentinel''. Retrieved November 19, 2016.</ref> On April 3, 2018, Walker signed a bill into law that excluded abortion coverage from state health insurance plans.<ref>Freiburger, Calvin (April 3, 2018). [https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/wisconsin-governor-signs-bill-banning-abortion-insurance-coverage-for-state Wisconsin governor signs bill banning abortion insurance coverage for state employees]. ''LifeSiteNews''. Retrieved April 4, 2018.</ref>