Governor Looks at Mending Fences Before Next Budget

Tuesday, Governor Scott Walker will start a statewide tour to gather ideas about what should be prioritized in the next two-year budget.

The governor admits it's an effort aimed at mending fences.

In a YouTube video released Tuesday by his administration, Governor Walker outlines his priorities for Wisconsin's next budget. They include job creation, workforce development, transforming education, government reform, and investing in infrastructure.

Now the governor says he's ready to listen, starting Tuesday when he meets with employees at ACE Marine in Green Bay.

"We'd like feedback from people where they're at in their workplace, letting us know what would best help us create more jobs, what would best help us continue to transform our education system, and make investments in infrastructure, and improve our workforce," the governor says.

Almost two years ago his budget and its contentious collective bargaining law sparked unprecedented political backlash -- large Capitol protests, Senate Democrats fleeing the state to block votes, the most recall elections against a legislative body in US history, and the only gubernatorial recall in Wisconsin history.

The governor insists he is committed to bringing a divided state together, and that's partly what his tour is about.

"Oh absolutely," he says. "We came in two years ago fresh off an election and we were ready to get to work, and we want to continue to move forward fixing things, but I think this is about talking and listening with people across the state."

"I think the more that we talk with folks, the more transparent the process is, the better off we'll be," he adds.

As president of a union representing more than 1,800 Green Bay teachers, Lori Cathy is frustrated.

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Governor Looks at Mending Fences Before Next Budget