Governor Walker is defending his education budget as a plan that lets schools avoid teacher layoffs even as Democrats are attacking it as an assault on Wisconsin values.
The Governor's budget cuts state aid to schools by more than $800-million. Walker does not dispute that, but says the recent collective bargaining law he signed will help schools make up the difference because they won't have to pay as much for teacher pensions and health care benefits.
"We're giving our schools the tools they need not only now, but in the years to come to make sure they can protect those jobs and keep people in the classroom."
Walker insists there won't be massive layoffs under his plan and says suggestions that a cut in state aid will devastate schools are only looking at part of the picture.
"If we did this in our own life it would be like saying you're getting five percent less revenue but ignoring the fact that your car payment just went away."
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But Assembly Democrat Sondy Pope-Roberts says Walker's cuts will force schools to fire their most senior, experienced teachers simply because they're paid more.
"I don't see that as a tool," says Pope-Roberts. "His tools are hatchets and hammers."
Roberts says other pieces of Walker's budget that expand private voucher schools in Milwaukee County will decimate public schools there.
