Scott Walker Says He May "Tweak" The Voucher School Enrollment Cap Loophole

Governor Scott Walker is suggesting he may use his veto power on a budget amendment that critics say could make a cap on voucher school enrollment meaningless.

State education officials are concerned that an amendment passed as part of the state budget could allow voucher schools in Milwaukee and Racine to set up “satellite campuses” around the state. This would make proposed enrollment caps in the program meaningless because the schools in those cities have no limits on how many students can attend. Walker says he likes the idea of lifting the enrollment caps but not like this.

Walker: “I believe the compromise that I worked out with members of the Assembly and the Senate was pretty clear and I want to make sure that the language I ultimately sign into law reflects the reasonable compromise we had.”

Walker says he would rather see voucher enrollment caps changed through separate legislation in a couple years. On other policy items added to his budget by the legislature Walker was vaguer about whether he’d use his powerful line-item veto.

Walker: “There are a number of items that have been raised that raise some concerns to me that many of which we’ll probably veto out.”

Walker did say that he and his staff will look closely at all items added to his original budget proposal by lawmakers. He says policy items that have no fiscal impact on the state should not be included in the budget.

Overall, Walker says he’s pleased with the budget, which he says includes nearly a billion dollars in tax relief, more money for workforce development and caps tuition increases at UW System schools. He says he’ll sign it into law before July 1.