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 Walker, fresh off a third general election victory in four years
in November, triggered speculation that he is considering a run at
the White House after he wrote a campaign-themed book and continues
to travel to key states for presidential hopefuls such as Iowa and
New Hampshire.
During his annual address in front the Republican-controlled state
legislature, Walker credited his fiscal policy and reforms with
shrinking state property taxes for what he called a typical home by
$141 and decreasing the unemployment rate from 9.2 to 5.2 percent.
"Over the past four years, we put the power back into their hands,"
he said, referring to state residents. "In turn, Wisconsin is more
free and prosperous".
 Walker also asked lawmakers to pass legislation that would make
available performance data on every school receiving public funds,
expand programs to help people with disabilities make the transition
into the workforce and that would combine several state agencies.
"I believe that government has grown too big and too intrusive in
our lives and must be reined in, but the government that is left
must work," he said.
Walker, 47, became a rising conservative star after his first
gubernatorial victory in 2010 when he pressed for laws that
restricted the powers of many public sector unions and required
workers to contribute to pensions and healthcare.
The unions tried to oust him from office, but he survived a recall
election in 2012. Walker rolled to victory over former Trek bicycle
executive Mary Burke in November, leading to speculation that he may
run for president.
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During the speech, Walker ventured into international affairs,
denouncing the attacks in Paris and declaring a need for a united
front against terrorism.
"Tonight, we must stand together, Democrat and Republican, and
denounce those who wish to threaten freedom anywhere in this world,"
he said.
Michael Tate, chairman of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, said
Walker should focus on the state's $2.2 billion deficit rather than
on his political future.
"There are real challenges facing our state, but we also have real
opportunities to help average working families – if the governor is
willing to spend his time doing the job he was elected to do, not
campaigning for the job he wants,” Tate said in a statement.
(Reporting by Brendan O'Brien in Milwaukee; Editing by Ken Wills)
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