February 11, 2015
For Immediate Release
Contact: Nick Novak, 608-237-7290
nnovak@maciverinstitute.com
Thanks to Act 10, Wisconsin taxpayers have saved close to $3 billion. That is an average of nearly $1,200 in savings for every household in the state.
While those on the left claimed the sky would fall, their predictions simply have not come true. In fact, the opposite happened.
Counties and municipalities have saved millions thanks to the ability to shop around for health insurance. School districts were given the ability to hire and fire on merit, instead of seniority. And the state no longer needs to worry about employees calling in sick for one shift so they can get paid time-and-a-half to work the next.
In celebration of Act 10’s fourth anniversary, Brett Healy, President of The John K. MacIver Institute for Public Policy, released the following statement:
“Today marks a day of celebration for Wisconsin taxpayers. Four years ago, Gov. Scott Walker introduced the plan that would eventually become Act 10. Since then, Wisconsin has saved $3 billion.
“Act 10 has had a major impact all across the state. Starting salaries for teachers in Neenah are up 20 percent. The West Bend School District has put more money into the classroom and increased programming thanks to revamping its health plan. And Milwaukee Public Schools avoided laying off up to 1,000 teachers.
“School districts were not the only winners. The City of Milwaukee cut overtime by 30 percent the year after Act 10 was signed, while the state saw a similar drop of 22 percent.
“Under Act 10, the state, local governments and school districts can put taxpayers – not unions – first. It ensures that Wisconsinites will continue to see savings for years and decades to come.
“Act 10 has been an overwhelming and unquestioned success for Wisconsin taxpayers, and it deserves to be celebrated.”