Ryan applauds Walker’s economic record

Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) is going to bat for Gov. Scott Walker (R-Wis.) who faces a tough reelection bid with less than a week before Election Day.

The chairman of the House Budget Committee applauded Walker’s economic record in an interview Tuesday on Fox News.

{mosads}“His reforms are working. He balanced the budget, he lowered taxes,” said Ryan. “He’s turning our economy around, reforming our schools. It’s actually working.” 

Ryan, the GOP’s 2014 vice presidential nominee and a possible 2016 presidential contender, is touring the state Wednesday with Walker.

Recent polls collected by RealClearPolitics indicate Walker and Democratic challenger Mary Burke are running neck and neck. It’s one of the top gubernatorial contests in the cycle, with Walker needing a win to keep any possible 2016 ambitions alive.

President Obama campaigned for Burke at a rally Tuesday night during a quick stop in Wisconsin.

Walker has made the economy one of his key issues. Ryan noted Tuesday that when Walker took office in 2011 he inherited a $3 billion deficit but now has a surplus.

Earlier this month, Walker’s administration said the Wisconsin state budget ended fiscal 2014 with a $517 million surplus.

The state’s Democratic Party argues the surplus won’t last very long.

When the budget expires in June, the state is projected to run a nearly $396 million shortfall. The state Legislature would have to take emergency action to balance the budget if the government doesn’t take in enough revenue to make up for the deficit.

Wisconsin is also projected to run a $1.8 billion shortfall in the next two-year budget, according to The Associated Press.