MADISON — Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker refused Wednesday to back down from his plan to take away nearly all collective bargaining rights from most public workers and force them to pay more for benefits, despite news that the state’s budget is in better shape than previously expected.

Walker pushed for the collective bargaining concessions as a way to help address the state’s projected $3.6 billion budget shortfall. But on Wednesday, a new economic forecast said the state will receive $636 million more in tax collections than expected when Walker unveiled his plan — almost double what would be saved through forcing workers to pay more for health and insurance benefits.

The Republican governor also refused to budge on his proposed cuts to schools and local governments, which total about $1 billion over the next two years.

The best way to use the new money this year would be to repay what is owed to the state of Minnesota under a tax reciprocity deal, start refunding the state’s patients’ compensation fund as a court has ordered, and pay off other debt, Walker and legislative leaders said.

“We need to pay off those bills right away and other bills that are on the horizon,” Walker said. “We’re going to focus on the next generation, not just the next election.”