MADISON, Wis. -- Republican gubernatorial candidate Mark Green said Monday Wisconsin is in dire financial shape. The congressman criticized incumbent Gov. Jim Doyle for what Green called budget "tricks and gimmicks."

A spokesman for the governor said the criticism was nothing but "cheap talk," adding Doyle has a "record of results." Green said, if elected, he'll cap state tax revenues at the prior year's level. The extra money would be returned to taxpayers or used to deal with future deficits.

"Spending is up. Borrowing is up. Bonding is up. Deficit's up and it's hard to make this state great again unless you get your books in order," said Green at his first campaign bus tour stop. The tour will make 100 stops in 100 days leading up to Election Day.

An aide to the governor, Matt Cantor, said Doyle inherited a $3.2 billion deficit from previous administrations and previous legislators, including Green. Green served in the Assembly from 1993 to 1999. Budget deficit projections leave the state roughly $1.5 billion in the hole when the next state budget is crafted after the election.

Cantor said Doyle made budget progress by not raising taxes and "forcing government to do more with less." Wisconsin has about 4,000 fewer state employees compared to when Doyle took office. In 2002, then-candidate Doyle pledged to cut 10,000 jobs in 8 years.

The Green Bay area congressman also criticized Doyle for using his veto pen to shift roughly $400 million from the transportation fund to provide more money for schools and give out property tax relief.

"I wouldn't use my veto pen to increase spending -- first time that's ever happened in history. I wouldn't use my veto to increase taxing -- first time in history," said Green.

Cantor responded by saying it was "absolutely appropriate" for Doyle to move money from road projects to school funding and tax relief. Cantor challenged Green to explain how he would protect those priorities.

To get enough money, Doyle borrowed it from future road projects. Green said that idea was wrong.

Cantor pointed out the budget still included a 16 percent increase for the transportation fund and that all current projects have been funded. But, Green points out more money is now being used to pay down debt, instead of being used to build roads.