Walker Signs Controversial Bill to Balance Budget

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker signed a budget bill Wednesday that will leave the state operating without a deficit, even as the controversy continues to swirl around his attempts to rein in out-of-control public employee unions.

"What we're really talking about is a balanced budget act that allows state government to finish [this fiscal year[ with a balanced budget,” the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel quoted Walker as saying Thursday. “It's something we set out to do about a month and a half ago, and we're finally seeing the complete package.”

The law probably will allow the state to avoid layoffs of state employees that he had warned about in recent weeks, Scott said. He was able to balance the budget even though a separate budget-repair proposal that would repeal most collective bargaining for most public employees remains hung up in court. Walker signed that measure last month.

The latest budget bill signed Wednesday would leave the state with a projected balance of $46.3 million in its main account on June 30, which is what’s required by state law.