Barrett says he can't promise tax cuts

MIDDLETON, Wis. (AP) - Democratic candidate for governor Tom Barrett told a group of biotech leaders Wednesday that he could not promise to cut taxes if elected.

Barrett says doing that would be irresponsible given that the state faces a $2.7 billion budget shortfall that the next governor will inherit.

Republican candidates Scott Walker and Mark Neumann have promised to roll back $1.8 billion in tax increases passed by the Legislature recently, including ones that targeted large multistate corporations and couples earning over $300,000 a year.

Barrett says state services, education and public safety need to be protected first before cutting taxes and adding to the state's budget woes.

Both Walker and Neumann have said they can cut government spending to help balance the budget.