Doyle's agenda is a mixed bag
9:15 PM 1/21/04

If, like many Wisconsin residents, you skipped a chance to watch or listen to the governor's State of the State speech Wednesday, we're sorry to say you didn't miss a lot. <

That's not to deny Gov. Jim Doyle credit for his first year in office. He eased the state budget crisis without sales and income tax hikes, a pretty substantial accomplishment given the huge deficit the state faced last year. <

The Democratic governor's key new proposals are certainly welcome if not earthshattering: A stepped-up emphasis on early childhood education, parenting help and child health and nutrition will help reduce government costs over the long term by helping children learn better and give them the tools to succeed in school and work. <

Nevertheless, state government needs a fresh, strong dose of entrepreneurial spirit. Doyle offered little substance in health care cost reduction or job creation - top issues for state residents. Doyle also lacks strong commitment to innovation in other important areas such as: <

Education. Doyle remains an opponent of most brands of education reform, especially Milwaukee school choice expansion. Relieving state mandates imposed on local school districts and revamping the public financing of schools would be worthy goals, but Doyle offered no specifics. <

Taxes. Doyle seems oblivious to the growing fury over rising local taxes. Like it or not, if he fails to find a better alternative after his expected veto of the latest GOP "tax freeze" scheme, Democratic lawmakers will pay the price at the polls this fall. The state's sales tax structure is overdue for reexamination, too. <

Government efficiency. Doyle offered a welcome nod to the crying need to consolidate local government, but offered no new ideas. It's time to refocus government on its customers, relieve the bureaucracy that impedes improved service, encourage consolidation to encourage quality and efficiency in local government and increase competition to do the same in education. A privatization study is under way, but only action, not more talk, will yield savings and efficiency sought by taxpayers. <

To his credit, Doyle's agenda is well-attuned to Wisconsin economic development needs. Just this week, the state Senate, acting with Doyle's support, passed a sweeping bipartisan package of regulatory changes to speed up and clarify rules for business permits. Doyle rightly focused on promoting higher-wage manufacturing and technology jobs. And he understands that Wisconsin can't advance economically unless the state creates new investment incentives that provide start-up money for new businesses. <

Now he needs to completely sever the ties to old-line Democratic economics and shed a plan to raise Wisconsin's $5.15 per hour minimum wage, which will only reduce jobs and raise consumer prices. <

On balance, Doyle's State of the State speech mostly eschewed exciting new directions in favor of safer, tried-and-true policy themes. It looks like the Legislature will be the laboratory of fresh thinking and