APPLETON, Wis. (WFRV) Hours after delivering his budget address, Governor Walker made a stop in Appleton Thursday morning. During his visit, he took a few moments to highlight some initiatives he has planned for the next two years.
Governor Walker was asked about his plan to end residency requirements for municipal employees. He says the idea comes from struggles in the Milwaukee Public School system. Walker believes many qualified teachers are avoiding the district because they'd have to live within city limits.
Instead of only excluding Milwaukee from these requirements, Walker said the entire state will be impacted. In the budget, $475 million in new state funds will be given to schools.
While democrats argue Walker has already slashed school budgets more than any other governor in Wisconsin history, Walker believes his reforms will ultimately help our state.
"It's one of those things where, in the end, as much as we've done with changes in collective bargaining, where hiring and firing can be done based on merit and pay based on performance. This is another example of being hired, not just based on where they reside," he said.
While in Appleton, the Governor toured the Miller Electric Manufacturing Company. Since taking office, he says the business has added 250 new jobs.
