Scott Walker: Wisconsin on track for $154 million budget surplus by 2013

Coming less than four weeks before Walker’s June 5 recall election, the projections take the state from a previously estimated $143 million budget deficit in its main account through June 2013 to the surplus.

A large chunk of the surplus is realized by delaying payments that will ultimately cost taxpayers more in interest.

The budget numbers released Thursday do not account for a sizable shortfall in the state’s health programs for the poor that Walker’s administration says it will deal with through increased efficiencies and spending cuts.

“This is a great example of how honest budgeting pays off,” said Rep. Robin Vos (R-Rochester), co-chairman of the Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee.