Subject: Governor Walker Releases Reforms & Results Website

The county-by-county map on the right side is most helpful. - j

* Must Read * Article - Illinois skips paying bills for months at a time -
http://news.yahoo.com/deadbeat-state-ill-owes-billions-unpaid-bills-164646417.html


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From: GOV Press [mailto:GOVPress@wisconsin.gov]
Sent: Monday, October 24, 2011 9:20 AM
To: GOV Press
Subject: Governor Walker Releases Reforms & Results Website
October 21, 2011
For Immediate Release
Contact: Cullen Werwie, 608-267-7303

Governor Walker Releases Reforms & Results Website
Reforms.wi.gov will show the results from the Administration’s reforms

MADISON – Governor Scott Walker’s office today released a new website, www.reforms.wi.gov that will help inform Wisconsinites about the results from the Administration’s reforms.

“Since our reforms passed a lot of people have wondered what kind of results we’re getting and why the reforms were necessary,” said Governor Walker. “Reforms.wi.gov shows the results from our reforms and how they’re working.”

So far local governments have saved over $450 million because of the reforms. That total is only the beginning of the potential savings. The savings are based on media reports and the Legislative Fiscal Bureau’s estimate on pension savings. For hundreds of governments there is no official estimate of savings from health contributions, but it is likely millions of dollars more.

Governments have seen savings not only from employee pension and health care contributions, but also by having the ability to do design plan changes and shop the market for better rates. So far governments have saved over $73 million through health plan savings.

Reforms.wi.gov goes beyond just the savings from pension and health care contributions to share how the reforms have improved government.

For example, in Baraboo School District is considering using the savings to rebuild the running track and athletic field at the high school, a project that had been on the backburner for years.

In Kaukauna, they turned a $400,000 deficit into a $1.5 million surplus. With the savings from the health care and pension contribution, they were able to hire additional staff to lower class sizes. The district is also now working on a merit pay proposal for teachers.


The website will be updated as more data becomes available and more results become public.


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