Experts who expected Gov. Scott McCallum's Tuesday State of the State address to discuss his budget plan were not disappointed.
With a tone opponents described as softer and reconciliatory, the governor focused on initiatives he considered bipartisan successes in the past year.
\Last year, I introduced a fiscally sound, balanced and realistic budget for the state, which kept spending increases to the lowest level in more than 30 years. These principles paved the way for a bipartisan budget agreement in August,"" he said. ""There are no easy answers or quick fixes as we put our fiscal house in order.""
McCallum added he was appreciative of the support for a state wetland-protection bill.
""I was pleased to have been able to bring together key legislators, the business community, sportsmen, sportswomen and environmental groups to craft a consensus and pass a law to protect our wetlands and our environment,"" he said. ""It is the first of its kind in the nation.""
The governor also praised the achievement of a $109.3 million, eight-week extension of benefits for unemployed workers in the state, effective for employees who have lost or will lose their jobs between March 11, 2001 and December 28, 2002.
""Earlier this year, Wisconsin became the first state in the country to provide extended benefits to unemployed and displaced workers,"" he said.
In response, several prominent Democratic leaders said they were troubled by parts of the governor's speech.
Assembly Minority Leader Spencer Black, D-Madison, called the governor's budget shortfall proposal ""dramatic,"" and said that while the speech was nicer in tone, McCallum failed to compensate for the plan's poor statewide reception.
""The budget plan has not gained any support across the state,"" Black said. ""The elimination of shared revenue does not have any support.""
State Attorney General Jim Doyle, a likely gubernatorial opponent of McCallum in the 2002 race, criticized the governor's use of Wisconsin's share in a national class-action tobacco lawsuit to balance the state's budget.
""He also didn't mention one word, when he talked about the future, of the fact that he has essentially sold all of the tobacco money, ... cashing that all in to bail himself out of the fiscal mess we're in,"" Doyle said.
Black said he was disappointed and called the governor ""AWOL"" on campaign finance reform at the state level.
The governor doled out congratulations to the UW-Madison men's basketball team and Head Coach Bo Ryan for their Big Ten Championship season. McCallum also honored five Wisconsin military personnel who have been on active duty since Sept. 11.
""We saw Wisconsinites react to adversity with optimism and determination to overcome every challenge,"" he said.
