When Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker spoke at the annual Wisconsin Economic Forecast Luncheon he gave a rundown of the important factors influencing the creation of the new state budget. He said the focus is on job creation, preparing workers for skilled labor jobs, rewarding quality education, reforming government and making prudent investments in Wisconsin's infrastructure. Walker also stated that new budget will include a lower individual income tax.

Watch for a more detailed recap of the event in the upcoming February edition of Wisconsin Banker.

The luncheon's keynote address from James Bullard, Ph.D., president of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis provided a positive outlook for the U.S. economy over the next two years. Bullard projected declining unemployment numbers, though he said he doesn't think unemployment has fallen enough to entice those that have left the labor market to re-enter, yet.

President Bullard's full presentation and a press release provided by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis are available here.