• Ensures the solvency of the veterans trust fund over the next biennium by providing $5 million GPR in additional funding to support benefits to veterans.

• Strengthens the veterans tuition remission program by expanding it to include the University of Wisconsin-Madison Executive Masters in Business Administration program, distance education, on-line and 100 percent fee funded programs, and by increasing the number of credits or semesters eligible for state tuition remissions.

• Provides $1.8 million GPR and 5.0 FTE GPR positions to the Government Accountability Board and $10 million SEG and 55.0 FTE SEG positions to the Department of Transportation for the implementation of the voter identification legislation.

• Separates the core functions of promoting job growth from regulating job creators by funding the new public/private Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation focused solely on job creation and a new Department of Safety and Professional Services that can provide a one-stop shop for commercial regulation.

• Improves customer service by consolidating responsibilities for trademark and trade name registrations and notary public commissions with the corporate filing activities at the Department of Financial Institutions.

Building Program

• Helps ensure an adequate number of dentists in Wisconsin by providing $16 million in general fund supported borrowing and private funds for expansion of the Marquette Dental School.

• Helps improve homeland security and coordination of law enforcement and intelligence data by providing $6.8 million for a Fusion Center at the Department of Military Affairs.

• Provides funding for educational facilities including the Horicon Marsh International Education Center. The Horicon Marsh is recognized as a Wetland of International Importance. The center provides educational experiences for scientists and visitors who come from around the world.

• Encourages fiscal responsibility by reducing previously authorized bonding for projects that have not moved forward or were constructed under budget.

• Directs the Department of Administration to use the proceeds from the sale of buildings to reduce outstanding debt whenever possible.

I have made 50 vetoes to the budget. These vetoes remove unnecessary reports and requirements, clarify program implementation timelines, and improve the intended focus of certain programs. These vetoes reduce spending by $10,000 SEG.

There were three items in the budget that I did not veto but that require additional clarification:

• The budget authorizes the Attorney General to allocate penalty surcharge revenues in support of prosecutor positions. I respectfully request that the Attorney General allocate a portion of these revenues in support of an existing drug crimes prosecutor position in St. Croix County. St. Croix County is one of the fastest growing areas of the state and continues to combat methamphetamine abuse.

A417 • The budget expands the current law prohibition on the use of government funds to pay for the performance of abortions to specifically include the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics Authority. I feel strongly that taxpayer dollars should not support the performance of elective abortions. However, concerns have been raised about the potential for this provision to have the significant and unintended consequence of compromising the accreditation of the obstetrics and gynecology residency program operated by the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics. In-state training programs are a critical component of averting a physician shortage, particularly in the urban and rural areas of the state, and it is essential that we retain and grow physician residency opportunities in Wisconsin.

I have thoroughly reviewed this provision and do not believe it would prohibit the hospital from meeting the accreditation standards. I encourage the hospital to take the steps necessary to meet the intent of this provision by ensuring tax dollars are not directly funding the performance of abortions, while maintaining the accreditation of this very important physician training program.

• Several months ago, I provided the Unemployment Insurance Advisory Council with a proposal that would have increased the waiting period to receive benefits to one week and also would have revised Wisconsin law to allow the state to take advantage of extended unemployment benefits provided by the federal government. Unfortunately, the council did not act on either measure at that time. The Legislature acted on the first provision - requiring recipients of unemployment to wait one week before receiving their benefits. I applaud the Legislature for their decisive action on this issue. Recently, the Unemployment Insurance Advisory Council voted unanimously in support of utilizing additional federal unemployment funds, a measure I fully support. I am now calling on lawmakers to act on the council's recommendation and modify Wisconsin laws to allow the state to take advantage of these additional federal funds.

I commend the leadership of the Legislature in maintaining its focus through some of the most difficult political discussions this state has ever faced. They improved on my budget and accomplished something few ever thought attainable - a structural surplus. Together, we are paying our bills and staying focused on job creation.

The budget I sign today reflects a return to Wisconsin's values. From Superior to Kenosha and from Green Bay to Platteville, we are independent-minded, moderate, pragmatic and frugal. This budget embraces those values by giving our local officials the tools to truly focus spending on delivering efficient and effective government services. Together we move forward with a stable government that has put its fiscal house in order so that its people can engage in private enterprise and create jobs that fuel our economy.