Democrats Hit Walker With Over 1 Million Recall Signatures
Democrats file more than 1 million signatures to recall Gov. Scott Walker, but no candidate or election date have been announced.
Photos
After two months of flexing their volunteers' political muscles on the streets, Wisconsin Democrats delivered a powerful first punch in the recall rumble against Gov. Scott Walker today when they filed more than 1 million signatures to recall the first-term Republican governor.
Hundreds of recall supporters cheered in the street when Julie Wells, a coordinator of the recall effort in rural Jefferson County, threw up the cargo door of a U-Haul truck containing boxes of the signatures and congratulated the crowd for their two months of work gathering signatures all across the state.
“Despite the millions of dollars Walker has raised and spent, we have overcome…We have proven that democracy is alive and kicking in the state of Wisconsin,” Wells said.
The boxes were ceremoniously delivered box by box into the state's Government Accountability Board, which will verify the accuracy of the signatures before ordering a recall election against Walker, Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch and four other Republican senators that were targeted in the effort. A total of 1.9 million signatures were filed against Republican legislators today, with 845,000 of those collected for Kleefisch.
The success of the recall effort is an indication of "how strong the appetite is to stop the damage and turmoil that Gov. Walker has caused in Wisconsin," said Ryan Lawler, the vice chairman of United Wisconsin, the group that led the recall effort.
“What we have accomplished is incredible," Lawler said. "This is one of the greatest exercises of democracy in American history.”
The recall coordinators only needed to collect 540,208 signatures to force the recall election. For the recall election to be denied, one of every three signatures would need to be invalid.
The number of signatures collected represents more than 46 percent of the voters that voted in the 2010 gubernatorial election – a number that tops the participation level of the only two other statewide recall efforts in the country's history. This is the first-ever statewide recall election in Wisconsin.
Many of the coordinators of the Walker recall effort said they were surprised to see a total of more than 1 million signatures collected, despite the success they were seeing locally.
"We've known all along that we are making history, but we didn't know how much this history means," said Sue Gootson, a volunteer coordinator in conservative Walworth County. "The country and the world are watching what we are doing today."
"It was an amazing coming together of people, many whom have never been involved in politics before," added Richard Schwalb, a coordinator in Milwaukee County.
No candidate yet
Although no Democratic candidates have formally announced their intentions to run, there is a long list of names being floated around in the media.
A new poll shows Walker's rival in the 2010 gubernatorial election, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, is leading in the polls. But at least one expert says the election will be decided based on Walker's popularity – not the candidate that runs against him.
"It doesn't really matter who you put up against Walker, because voters pretty much made up their mind a year ago," said Dennis Dresang, a political science professor at the University of Wisconsin's La Follette School of Public Affairs.
Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chairman Mike Tate said a primary seems likely, and he thinks it could be a positive thing for the party.
"You'll have candidates traveling across the state for six or plus weeks...I think it will be a positive campaign focused on Scott Walker's failures," he said.
Road to recall
Under state statute, the state's Government Accountability Board has 31 days to verify the signatures and order the recall election to be held six weeks later. Kevin Kennedy, the Director of the state's Government Accountability Board, already said he plans to file for an extension in court to give his staff more time to verify the 1.9 million signatures. He said he does not yet know how long of an extension he will request.
Kennedy said his staff will flag any obviously fictitious names for further inspection. The names will be inspected for duplication and published on the agency's website when they have been scanned. Walker will also have the opportunity to challenge the signatures.
Tate said the Democrats have made an effort to flag invalid signatures to the best of their ability, but he said he expects some invalid signatures will be found in the process. Just over 9 percent of the signatures submitted in last year's recall election against Republican state senators were invalidated, and he said he has no reason to believe that percentage would be higher in this recall election.
"We very clearly believe there is no challenge both legal or otherwise that will prevent things from going forward,” Tate said. “Scott Walker is going to be recalled. It’s just a matter of how long the Walker campaign and the Government Accountability Board want to drag out an election.”
Jeremy Levinson, an attorney representing the Democratic Party of Wisconsin in the recall effort, said the recall election should be triggered as soon as the number of signatures have been counted.
“The process is designed to decide whether the citizens of Wisconsin have gotten enough signatures to properly exercise their right to recall, and once that is determined, any further delay is a violation of the rights of those that signed the Walker petition and any of the other petitions,” Levinson said.
Republicans respond
In a statement, Republican Party of Wisconsin Chairman Brad Courtney called the recall effort "baseless" and "shameful," saying it will saddle Wisconsin taxpayers with more than $9 million in unbudgeted costs.
"Regardless of what the radical left may believe, Wisconsin families will continue to stand with Governor Walker, who has balanced a $3.6 billion budget deficit without raising taxes, and created thousands of new jobs,” he said.
Walker was fundraising in New York today, but in a statement, he said he expects to overcome the recall.
“Instead of going back to the days of billion dollar budget deficits, double digit tax increases and record job loss, I expect Wisconsin voters will stand with me and keep moving Wisconsin forward,” he said.
mainstreet
8:12 pm on Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Gee whiz. That would only be 50,000 people signing 20 times. C'mon union brothers, can't you do better than that?
Say What?
8:43 pm on Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Yeah, 2/7 of the eligible voters, nearly half of the people who voted last time. Cmon, can't you do better?
Craig
8:17 pm on Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Wonder how many signed with crayon?
LEFTY
6:03 pm on Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Only you Craig.
Craig
6:52 pm on Thursday, January 19, 2012
BOB4 if my name is on there it is a forgery. Most likely signed by a sharp shooter like you.
How many times did you sign? Is that what the 4 means?
country boy
8:17 am on Wednesday, January 18, 2012
SW, It appears that you know what you are talking about...perhaps you are an indulger? When the sheeple throw in the union backed chip and crash again, maybe you losers will give it up. Hey...don't go away mad..just go away.
Walker
8:20 am on Wednesday, January 18, 2012
& I'm sure country boy knows his sheep.
mainstreet
9:43 am on Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Let's see how many signatures get thrown out and then we can revisit the "there's no voter fraud argument".
Randy1949
10:07 am on Wednesday, January 18, 2012
The thing is, who would want to sign a fake name that would ultimately fall to a challenge? Only those who want the recall effort to fail. And in that case, who's guilty of 'fraud'?
Walker
10:32 am on Wednesday, January 18, 2012
The only voter fraud would be the rethugs falsifying signatures to try to make the illusion of voter fraud. You know, the ones going around tearing up & scribbling on recall sheets? Or the ones passing around sheets then not turning them in. Typical rethug tactics.
Bob McBride
10:37 am on Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Well regardless of who signed them (assuming they are in there) at this point they're being counted as part of the claimed 1MM signatures.
Keep in mind, also, that at one point people were being advised (due to an overblown reaction to the goofball who claimed he was getting sigs and tearing them up) to sign more than once. I think it's safe to assume a number of people took that advisory to heart.
The sigs have to be checked, plain and simple. I know you guys operate under the assumption that it you want something your way, regardless of what they rest of the populace wants, you should have your way. But accountability demands that they be checked. Sorry about that.
shawn
12:00 pm on Wednesday, January 18, 2012
@bob mcbride-Great post Bob. But maybe a little too wordy. Remember, democrats rarely read more than one sentence and make their voting decisions based on 3-word bumper stickers and "hey-hey" chants.
Walker
12:09 pm on Wednesday, January 18, 2012
*sigh* it must be recess or lunch time, the children are on.
morninmist
2:54 pm on Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Signing a petition is different from an election where we go to the polls and people's vote is secret. Hence the notion of "there's no voter fraud argument" does not apply here.
Yes, it is a felony if one gets caught defacing a petition or riping it up but it is not "voter fraud" IMHO
............
mainstreet
9:43 am on Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Let's see how many signatures get thrown out and then we can revisit the "there's no voter fraud argument".
Drive To 24
9:08 pm on Wednesday, January 18, 2012
God's luck with that MAIN- you have no clue on the data collected with these petitions and the precautions taken to prevent duplicates. Sorry about that...
morninmist
3:16 pm on Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Whow. Walker Adm. says it did not balance the budget.
http://thewheelerreport.com/releases/January12/0118/0118richards.pdf
Walker
3:20 pm on Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Of course not. any one with a brain knew he was talking out of both sides of his mouth. Finally, some one paid attention & called him on the carpet. 1.9 million!
shawn
6:21 pm on Wednesday, January 18, 2012
sigh, the kool-aid drinkers finally woke up after their night of debauchery watching the parade of empty boxes march to the capitol.
morninmist
3:56 pm on Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Rep. Jon Richards say the reason he has to admit this to the Feds is so he can drop Medicaid people from the roles! Dam him!!
Drive To 24
4:26 pm on Wednesday, January 18, 2012
"Federal law requires that states seeking a waiver to reduce or eliminate access to public health care certify that they have, or project to have, a budget deficit. In seeking a waiver that would restrict or eliminate health care for thousands of Wisconsin families, Scott Walker’s administration certified in a December 29, 2011 letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that, “Wisconsin would have a budget deficit, based on generally accepted accounting principles, during state fiscal years 2012 and 2013…”The admission by Walker’s administration that Wisconsin carries a budget deficit contradicts Scott Walker’s perpetual campaign lie that his “reforms” are working for Wisconsin, and that he has eliminated “a $3.6 billion budget deficit without raising taxes.”
Drive To 24
5:31 pm on Wednesday, January 18, 2012
MADISON, WISCONSIN—Wisconsin’s embattled Governor, Scott Walker, vowed Tuesday night not to let the successful recall drive against him hinder his fight to “bring this great State of ours to the edge of fiscal and economic ruin.”
“Our reforms have managed to consistently place Wisconsin in the bottom of national statistics for new job creation and economic development,” Walker stated. “This is not the time to deviate from that course, now that our goal of total financial ruin is so close.”
Walker pointed to a number of policies enacted since he took office that he claims helped get Wisconsin to its current state of economic collapse, including refusing millions of dollars from the federal government for high speed rail, slashing education and local government budgets, and denying thousands access to health insurance.
“But there’s a lot left to do,” Walker added. “We still have critical state-level issues we need to address, like outlawing contraception, building even more puppy mills, and instituting the second prong of my conceal-and-carry legislation, the 'shoot-to-kill' exception for The Gays, before we can declare victory in the battle against the middle class.”
morninmist
5:44 pm on Wednesday, January 18, 2012
For almost a year we have heard from Walker fans-the lie that Walker balanced the budget. NOW Walker admits to the truth so he can take folks off health care.
You can not get any lower than that. I am ashamed he is our Governor!
@babaoreilymike Mike Truthseeker
@Govwalker did you lie to feds& fix deficit? Or lie to public to on your "reforms working? #recallwalker #wirecall politiscoop.com/us-politics/wi…
http://www.politiscoop.com/us-politics/wisconsin-politics/676-busted-scott-walkers-continued-problem-with-the-truth.html
BUSTED: Scott Walker’s Continued Problem With the Truth
18 Jan 2012
BUSTED: Scott Walker’s Continued Problem With the Truth
MADISON –
The admission by Walker’s administration that Wisconsin carries a budget deficit contradicts Scott Walker’s perpetual campaign lie that his “reforms” are working for Wisconsin, and that he has eliminated “a $3.6 billion budget deficit without raising taxes.”
“The jig is up,” Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Mike Tate said Wednesday. “Scott Walker is either lying to preserve his own political career, or he is lying to kick tens of thousands of Wisconsinites off of health care to pay for his $2 billion tax giveaway to wealthy special interests. One million strong Wisconsinites have already forced Scott Walker’s recall, but as news continues to emerge about the dishonest lengths Scott Walker will go to to finance his rent-to-own government, their ranks will surely grow.”
LEFTY
5:51 pm on Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Walker has now shifted the state’s position, stating that Wisconsin would suspend planning for implementing the new competitive health marketplaces under the Affordable Care Act until the U.S. Supreme Court decides legal challenges this summer. The problem is that Wisconsin’s full implementation plan is due by the end of 2012, and the Legislature will already be out of session before the case is decided, leaving Wisconsin unprepared to meet the deadline. This position is inconsistent, as Walker continues to vigorously implement a number of his own initiatives which are under legal challenge, such as his elimination of most collective bargaining rights and voter ID.Part of Walker’s motivation for this shift seems to be that he and his top officials actually believe that skyrocketing health insurance costs and access to affordable coverage are not major problems in Wisconsin. Last fall, Walker’s insurance commissioner vehemently defended the health insurance industry, asserting that Wisconsin’s health insurance market is working well and that costs are “manageable.” Walker’s health services secretary claimed that all of the nearly 65,000 people he wants to force off BadgerCare will still have access to affordable coverage, reflecting a completely unrealistic view of what health consumers actually face when they seek to obtain coverage
LEFTY
5:53 pm on Wednesday, January 18, 2012
The Walker position on health care reform is vehemently articulated in the Legislature by arch-conservative Sen. Frank Lasee, R-De Pere, who in a recent column claimed fundamental reform is unnecessary because the health insurance market is working just fine. The senator asserts that all anyone who needs coverage has to do is Google “health insurance quote” to get excellent and affordable health insurance options. Of course, the senator fails to mention that anyone who tries to buy insurance will face discrimination if they have any pre-existing conditions or if the insurance industry considers them or any family member a bad risk.
LEFTY
6:05 pm on Wednesday, January 18, 2012
3 RECALL WALKER SIGNS WERE STOLEN FORM OUR BLOCK. SHAME ON THOSE WALKER THUGS!
LEFTY
7:39 pm on Wednesday, January 18, 2012
New competitive health insurance marketplaces (so called “health insurance exchanges”) are a centerpiece of the Affordable Care Act, the new national health care reform law. Wisconsin received a $38 million grant to be one of the leading states in designing this reform, and Walker officials have until now repeatedly stated that they will fulfill the terms of the grant. The goal is to establish greater competition in cost and quality among health insurance companies, consumer standards that outlaw the worst insurance abuses such as the denial of coverage based on pre-existing conditions, and to guarantee more consumer options for high-quality affordable health coverage.
Read more: http://host.madison.com/ct/news/opinion/column/robert-kraig-walker-s-delay-could-sabotage-health-reform/article_c95a4eaf-2815-5aab-a32d-26f53e538221.html#ixzz1jrdLp57S
LEFTY
7:43 pm on Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Hmm - Walker and Barbie said before the petition count came out that 720,000 would be the count. After the million + announcement Walker became a mumbling fool realizing his internal communications were way off.
clark
8:10 pm on Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Bob4-
So you're grand plan would be to let a democrat get in office and be controlled like a marionette by these union bosses? I actually saw a headline on jsonline that union leaders met with the democratic candidates!! That is thuggery at it's finest. All you're teaching the next leaders of our great state- our children- is to jump up and down and stomp your feet (or deface OUR capital) until you get what you want! Great role models!!!
LEFTY
8:57 pm on Wednesday, January 18, 2012
You actually saw a headline??? Hmmm was that the first time? Thuggery? Hmmm
Got news for you Clark- nothing wrong with vetting candidates. Defacing the capital? Really? Show me! Jumping up and down? Show me! Hmmm puppets? Clark- look up the history of unions. Your job as it is may depend on it.
Looks like you have been conned bro.
Drive To 24
9:03 pm on Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Clarke- who have you been talking to? Your parents?
Say What?
9:17 pm on Wednesday, January 18, 2012
You know you cant vet the candidates with unions, it has to be done with christians! Just look at the recent ELA Texas gathering. That is how it is done.
Drive To 24
9:05 pm on Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Who will you vote for? Newt or Mitt? LOL?
clark
9:20 pm on Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Defacing the capital- hmm what did that cost the state to clean up after all the stomping around and crying last year? How many windows had to be fixed when those nitwits went marching in at all hours of the night? At least they were at the capital unlike their elected defectors. Now a recall will cost OUR state $9,000,000 (or more since you have to have a primary because you don't have a viable candidate). Where do you propose this money comes from? Oh wait, I know the answer - taxes!!! Raise them up - it's always the answer isn't it?! Dopes!
Walker
7:32 am on Thursday, January 19, 2012
It would be a huge tax saver if Walker had to pay for the signature validation like every other politician that faced recall in history. But no, he's not about saving taxes he's about saving his arse! Change the rules; make the tax payer pick up the tab & complain about it.
morninmist
12:03 pm on Thursday, January 19, 2012
All you have left clark is crying. go at it.
clark
9:37 pm on Wednesday, January 18, 2012
'vetting a candidate' great spin there. Heeeeey KoolAid!!! Bob4 needs a refill!!
Say What?
10:33 pm on Wednesday, January 18, 2012
So are you against or for the christian community? Are you against or for the NRA? Are you against or for them choosing one candidate to get behind? Just curious, because it seems awfully right wing to "vet" a candidate right about now.
Walker
7:30 am on Thursday, January 19, 2012
KoolAid or a Koch head? Hmmm . . . .
Drive To 24
7:01 pm on Friday, January 20, 2012
Clark is going down low and pathetic in his comments.
Joe
10:11 pm on Saturday, January 21, 2012
CLARK KENT? - uh maybe a primary as vetting process?
clark
7:51 am on Thursday, January 19, 2012
There is always spin and rhetoric with your side. 'vetting candidates' - keep telling yourself that and soon you think it's the truth. Lets go back to huge deficits- sooner or later we'll be taxed for walking down the street or playing at the park with our kids!
morninmist
10:11 am on Thursday, January 19, 2012
Walker, who constantly talks about out of state protesters goes to NY and TX to beg for $$. What a hypocrite!
WorkingAmerica Working America
While organizers unloaded boxes of #wirecall sigs, Walker was in NYC raking in cash. bit.ly/ADVQj7 #wiunion
9 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply
SkinnyDude
11:12 am on Thursday, January 19, 2012
I can tell you in two words why the unions are fighting this fight with millions upon millions of dollars and paid staffers. No it has nothing to do with taxpayer rights, Fiscal sanity, or a reform agenda that works.. The two words are obvious to anyone with half a brain =
UNION DUES !
That is all this paid union effort is about. The public unions now are the biggest contributor to the Union Hierarchy . They have a big appetite for other peoples money at this point and it must be feed at all costs. So lefties keep fighting as hard as you can for this amazing CAUSE of UNION DUES! LOL
Walker
11:15 am on Thursday, January 19, 2012
In your own humble opinion of course?
Typical Koch Sucker; pretends to know everything.
Tonto
3:01 pm on Thursday, January 19, 2012
We never hear about greedy CEOs that run the unions do we? Unions will have to extort more cash from their slaves now :)
Drive To 24
8:12 pm on Thursday, January 19, 2012
The truth is Skinny: Walker is a political sociopath who has divided our state. His tunnel vision ideologue is not only destroying Wisconsin but will bring him down.
SkinnyDude
9:37 pm on Thursday, January 19, 2012
State is devided . But it is devided by common sense and idiots. Common sense will win out and Walker will remain. The Unions are looking at potential puppets to run against Walker . Talk about slim pickings. LOL I am sure the silent majority is willing to vote as many times as they have too for common sense and Walker's success. So you libs can support your cause of UNION DUES and I will support mine for fiscal sanity and taxpayer rights.
country boy
2:25 pm on Thursday, January 19, 2012
Walker = Potty mouth name calling lefty that didn't get his way. Walker will pull the votes in because the unions have been sucking the taxpayers dry for years, and the silent majority will once again see through the bull$hit from the unionistas again. GO WALKER!!!
morninmist
2:28 pm on Thursday, January 19, 2012
@country boy
The 'silent majority" is losing jobs once again. Not good.
TheKochtopus The Koch Brothers
Way to go there, Scottie. " #Wisconsin Lost 3,900 Private-Sector Jobs In December" jsonline.com/business/wisco… #gopfail #wirecall #wiunion #p2
Walker
2:30 pm on Thursday, January 19, 2012
bumpkin your sheep are lonely & missing you.
Randy1949
2:47 pm on Thursday, January 19, 2012
Walker will pull in votes because he has the financial backing of the likes of Bob 'Swiftboat' Perry and the former head of AIG. Enough money to convince you that the unions are your enemy rather than the ones who want to turn the US economy into either upper management or minimum wage service jobs.
Bob McBride
3:11 pm on Thursday, January 19, 2012
And just how are the unions going to prevent that from happening, Randy? They've got friends in high places now and have had them there in the past. What's the realistic plan to reverse that trend coming from the unions?
Markman
2:54 pm on Thursday, January 19, 2012
Not a whole lot of constructive thinking or debating going on here. Name calling and character assassination may be entertaining, but it is hardly a productive use of anyone's time and does absolutely nothing as regards solving the critical challenges our State is facing in both the prive and public sectors alike. Can someone please point me in the direction of the grownups?
Tonto
5:33 pm on Thursday, January 19, 2012
What do expect to see as the United States implodes?
Keith Schmitz
7:02 pm on Thursday, January 19, 2012
Congratulations to all of you in the north shore who came out to commit a flagrant act of democracy. Your efforts to get active and round up 22,000 signatures showed that this is the way to eventually break Citizen's United, based on your energy and your money.
You dispelled the notion that people aren't interested in politics or that we can be rolled by vulture corporate interests. You proved you can help bring back Wisconsin values.
Craig
7:26 pm on Thursday, January 19, 2012
Still got writer's cramp? Or is the limp wrist due to something else?
Drive To 24
8:02 pm on Thursday, January 19, 2012
Thanks Keith!
Drive To 24
8:35 pm on Friday, January 20, 2012
Aw Craig- you're so sensitive. I like you.
Joe
10:15 pm on Saturday, January 21, 2012
Craig- i think McBride has a crush on you.
Drive To 24
8:05 pm on Thursday, January 19, 2012
Craig- is that the best you can do buddie? Ya know what they say Craig....
Come back when you know how to come back with an intelligent retort.
Craig
8:49 pm on Thursday, January 19, 2012
I ain't your buddie. Maybe you and Keith can team up. Maybe your reaction means you two already have.
Drive To 24
7:05 pm on Friday, January 20, 2012
Craig old buddie- you way too sensitive bro. Let's be friends.
Craig
7:47 pm on Friday, January 20, 2012
Lesbe friends? Homo you don't. :-p
Zelda
10:35 pm on Thursday, January 19, 2012
Sorry trolls. Keep howling. In fact, howl as loud and as mean spirited as you can. If you think over 1,000,000 citizens of Wisconsin were all union thugs and communists, have at it. We know the truth. We know that this was a historic moment. The more the rich and powerful try and crush us, the more who join us. We know that Walker and his ilk are tools to push through as much radical legislation as possible before the Republican party goes up in flames. It was an all in poker move, all chips on the table and it's not going to work.
Drive To 24
7:06 pm on Friday, January 20, 2012
ZELDA- YOU SPEAK THE TRUTH!
morninmist
1:18 am on Friday, January 20, 2012
Here is a perfect example of TeaGOP ramming through bills at the expense of children!
Dam, Just when you think Repugs can no go lower into the sewer--then we see crap like this!!
http://uppitywis.org/blogarticle/walker-gop-move-ram-anti-victim-lead-poisoning-bill-through-quic
Walker, GOP move to ram anti-victim lead poisoning bill through quickly; Must be a lot of money at stake
01/18/2012 - 8:19pm
There must be a lot of anti-recall money at stake, because Gov. Scott Walker and his Republican cronies in the legislature are moving at breakneck speed to pass a bill to take away the rights of children poisoned by lead paint from collecting from the paint companies who manufactured the stuff, as we reported here.
On exactly 24 hours notice, the State Senate Judiciary Committee has scheduled a hearing for Thursday, Jan. 19, only on SB-373, the bill that would overturn a State Supreme Court decision allowing the victims to sue paint manufacturers.
The bill was just introduced on Jan. 10, the day after things went badly for the poison merchants in a federal appeals court hearing in Chicago. Within hours of the hearing, State Sen. Glenn Grothman ordered the bill jacketed and introduced it the next day.
What the bill would do would throw out cases filed by 173 victims trying to collect for injuries done to them by lead paint. Some have been pending for several years, but the bill would retroactively kill those lawsuits....
SkinnyDude
12:41 pm on Friday, January 20, 2012
Keep fighting Libs .....I am sure the majority of Wisconsin are not concerned about the Unions power to extort union dues from taxpayers. Is anyone ...just one of you liberals going to go back to the Public school districts forced to puy inflated insurance from WEA TRUST (a union created corperation charging 40 PERCENT higher premiums and than forcing school districts to buy from them ) Just one of you LOUD MOUTHS defend that? But you want to go back LMAO Its got nothing to do with kids or taxpayers....ITs all about Union dues and power.
Drive To 24
7:16 pm on Friday, January 20, 2012
Aw Skinny dude- you are so misinformed. The attorney's letter notes, "Insurance is a closely regulated industry, as you should know, and it would not even be possible for WEA Trust to conceal from the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance or the IRS any transfer of 'millions' to WEAC as you claim. Quite the contrary, WEA Trust's annual financial statements are audited and found to be in compliance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. Your false claims that WEA Trust routinely violates state and federal law by funneling money to WEAC are defamatory per se. ...There are no secret payments by the WEA Trust to WEAC in any amount."
Read more: http://host.madison.com/news/local/education/blog/article_4aa6e0cc-e332-11e0-b365-001cc4c002e0.html#ixzz1k3E03tCt
Drive To 24
7:26 pm on Friday, January 20, 2012
Skinny Dude-
Madison-based WEA Trust, created by the Wisconsin Education Association Council, disputes the claim. The insurer says it provides lower-cost choices, and districts can already join the state health plan.
"It's been an option for them for some time," said WEA Trust spokesman Steve Lyons.
About 65 percent of the state's school districts contract with WEA Trust, covering about 35 percent of school employees. Several large districts, including Green Bay, Madison and Milwaukee, don't offer the plan.
Read more: http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/education/local_schools/article_78dbd12c-3fa5-11e0-9aed-001cc4c002e0.html#ixzz1k3Fi9FSY
Drive To 24
7:39 pm on Friday, January 20, 2012
The recent $800 million cut to education has forced school districts to search for modified health insurance plans to fit their current budget needs. Many school districts in Wisconsin are choosing to stay with or switch to the WEA Trust as the provider for employees in their district. These decisions were made as a result of a competitive bidding process resulting in WEA Trust proving to be the best value. Several of the many examples include:
School District of Omro
Working both with an insurance broker and the WEA Trust directly, the Omro School District crafted a solution that meets their needs and will stay with the WEA Trust for their employees’ insurance.
Mukwonago Area School District
After bidding out health insurance, the Mukwonago School Board decided to stay with WEA Trust as a health insurance provider for teachers in the district.
Germantown School District
Germantown went to several major carriers to receive quotes, but only two companies bid: Humana and the WEA Trust, which was the district's current carrier. The School Board voted to stay with the WEA Trust.
Drive To 24
7:42 pm on Friday, January 20, 2012
Here are the facts: The WEA Trust is not owned or operated by WEAC and we are definitely not headquartered in the same building. We are a separate, not-for-profit, Wisconsin-based insurance company that employs more than 400 Wisconsinites.
We are regulated by the Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance (verify at http://oci.wi.gov). Further, it would be against state and federal law for funds to be intermingled between the WEA Trust and WEAC.
WEA Trust also does not contribute, as an organization, to any political parties — Republican or Democratic. This can be verified via the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign's online database: http://wisdc.org.
School districts were never "forced" to have the WEA Trust. The school district market in Wisconsin is very competitive. Districts have always had the option to choose between us, our competitors and several other state plan options.
A key component in their decision-making is price. Every day we compete to gain new business — sometimes we win, and sometimes we lose — but again, that is the nature of competition in Wisconsin.
SkinnyDude
12:41 pm on Saturday, January 21, 2012
WEAC INSURANCE .......MANY DISTRICTS LEFT AFTER WALKER REFORMS WERE IMPLEMENTED.......AND SAVE THE STATE CHOOL DISTRICTS MILLIONS. So clearly they were a Bad deal . But the contracts bargained that they be the insurer. It was obviously a union shell game .WE ALL KNOW IT .
Drive To 24
2:04 pm on Saturday, January 21, 2012
Strange that Belling has shut his mouth after WEA TRUST threatened to sue his sorry .....
SkinnyDude
12:48 pm on Saturday, January 21, 2012
http://www.publicschoolspending.com/daily-updates/weacs-wea-trust-scam-at-stake-in-collective-bargaining-reform/
Drive To 24
1:52 pm on Saturday, January 21, 2012
School boards had the right to collective bargain benefits and carriers. The Trust only provides health insurance benefits to approximately 35% of public school employees in Wisconsin. Some of the largest school districts in Wisconsin such as Milwaukee, Madison, and Green Bay are self-insured or purchase from companies other than the Trust.
Wisconsin’s health insurance industry is highly competitive and districts already solicit bids. The Trust wins and loses districts all the time. A recent example of this is the Kenosha Unified School District, which left the Trust and has returned, much due to our competitive pricing. For example:
o Trust rate increases have been BELOW national averages for the past three years. For the fourth year in a row the Trust has delivered a mid single-digit base rate increase
Drive To 24
1:53 pm on Saturday, January 21, 2012
The WEA Trust was chosen by the Wisconsin Group Insurance Board in 2010 to be in the State Group Health Insurance Program in 24 counties.
Further, the Trust was selected as a Tier One option, the lowest cost tier in the state plan. In order to be placed in Tier One, the Trust must be extremely competitive. Our pricing is not an artificial price but comparable to what the Trust charges school districts.
Drive To 24
2:01 pm on Saturday, January 21, 2012
The Republican Party of Wisconsin recently published an article by Katie McCallum entitled, “School Districts Escape the Grasp of WEAC with the Help of Collective Bargaining Reforms.” The article claims, “School districts around Wisconsin are realizing serious cost savings now that they may search for health insurance providers outside the WEA Trust.” However, the article made several erroneous claims and omitted key information.The most glaring of these is that the article claims the School District of Marshfield will save approximately $850,000 by leaving the WEA Trust, when in fact Marshfield expects to see that savings because they recently decided to choose the WEA Trust over other insurance carriers. According to the Appleton Post Crescent article from June 30, 2011, Marshfield expects to save $850,000 by switching to the WEA Trust. Ms. MacCallum’s error in the article directly contradicts their claim that schools are saving money by leaving the WEA Trust. “The School District of Marshfield chose the WEA Trust’s group health insurance coverage because of the Trust’s competitive pricing, business model, and our unparalleled products and services,” said Kathryne McGowan, Vice President of Marketing and Product Development.Furthermore, the article made no mention of Kenosha Unified School District, which recently chose the WEA Trust as their group health insurance provider. Kenosha expects to save approximately $3 million by choosing The WEA Trust. DUDE
Drive To 24
2:13 pm on Saturday, January 21, 2012
But what’s disconcerting about this is the assumption by “conservatives” that insurance companies such as ours could have reduced rates all along if only we had more competition. The reality is that we have always been in a highly competitive market in school district health insurance — losing customers and gaining them every year.As a not-for-profit, we return 93 cents out of every dollar in health care services - compared to less than 80 cents from some of our competitors. We invest in service to our members, annually ranking among the top three in the nation.We were formed by the state’s largest teachers union in cooperation with school districts 40 years ago to help small districts “pool” to obtain better insurance at more reasonable prices — just as small business groups are trying to do today.We’re competitive because we’re good at what we do. We’re successful around the state because of our market principles. Our first loyalty has always been to the school districts and members we serve, not investors or Wall Street. Because of our reputation and competitiveness, school districts from La Crosse to Kenosha and Marinette to Turtle Lake have renewed with WEA Trust. Others have joined for the first time — most recently the Marshfield School District.
Drive To 24
2:17 pm on Saturday, January 21, 2012
DUDE: She claims that WEA Trust had a monopoly. That is also not true. In most of the contracts with which I am familiar, school boards are able to change the insurance carriers if they can find equal or better coverage at a lower cost from another carrier. In spite of many attempts to find such equivalent coverage, school districts seldom do.
What Mrs. Schroeder has not done is explain why WEA Trust was able to underbid private insurance companies while it provided a superior product. The competition for WEA Trust came from privately owned companies whose goal is to make the highest profit possible. Private health insurance companies make profits by keeping their costs below their income. Private health insurance companies lose money when they pay our medical claims...and that lowers their profits.Because WEA Trust is not a privately owned company, making a profit is not their primary goal. WEA Trust was established by the school workers of Wisconsin to provide quality health care, not to make money. The school workers, the school workers' unions, and the employees of the union did not profit from WEA Trust, and I challenge Ms. Schroeder to produce proof of that unsubstantiated claim. Because WEA Trust has such low administrative costs, the people of those Wisconsin districts which carried WEA Trust for their workers got the full value of the premiums that they paid; the funds were spent to provide health care, not on the profits of the insurance company. HAD ENOUGH DUDE?
Joe
10:16 pm on Saturday, January 21, 2012
Sllence Craig? What's a matter- getting used to the Newt?
Zelda
10:37 am on Sunday, January 22, 2012
Funny comment, Joe. The Republican presidential clown show keeps getting better and better. Thank you South Carolina! It's too bad Stephen Colbert/Herman Cain didn't win. That is the best you have people? The choices are (drum roll please) a wish washy Mormon who the evangelicals will never accept and a tax problem the independents loath, a northerner who would bring women's reproduction rights to the dark ages (bye-bye birth control pill) and a Newt who the Republicans waxed with a $300,000 ethics fine and threw him out of Congress let alone the tiffany and womanizer reputation.
Zelda
10:37 am on Sunday, January 22, 2012
In the meantime, we're getting good economic news with unemployment figures dropping, better housing starts, auto companies doing fantastic and retail numbers increasing and a strong president who took Osama Bin Laden out. Then we have the radical governors in Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio and Indiana who draw crowds wherever they go, crowds of dissent. Speaking of Mitch Daniels - they chose him to rebut the State of the Union? Really? He was Bush's budget director who claimed that the Iraq war would cost $318 million, created a budget (as Republican Joe Scarborough said this morning on Meet the Press) that turned a surplus from the Clinton era into a deficit and the "lunch bag" Republicans viscerate him for breaking collective bargaining. Now I'm watching TV and the reporter asks Amy Koch (who was caught screwing her staffer) "What was the hardest part." OMG. It can't get any better than this.
Zelda
11:29 am on Sunday, January 22, 2012
Actually, it can get better...as soon as Scooter is recalled out of office as well as Kleefisch and three more senators. Don't let the door hit you on the way out.
Mohammed Muja Mackmolloid Alla Achbar Hussein
1:47 pm on Thursday, March 29, 2012
It's great to see ole scumbag scotty squirming in his seat! The sad thing is he will have to explain to his kids that he was a failure as Governor, what a shame!
obtw
4:43 pm on Thursday, March 29, 2012
Read the headline of the article. Today the GAB certified that Mike Tate is a liar.
morninmist
7:24 pm on Thursday, March 29, 2012
@obtw
The TEAGOP is a FRAUD for mouthing off for months about fake names. Only 5 fake names found!
http://www.news8000.com/news/Few-fake-names-among-30-115-Walker-recall-signatures-struck-by-GAB/-/326/9760234/-/127rr4jz/-/index.html
James R Hoffa
8:09 pm on Thursday, March 29, 2012
@morninmist -
Even if true, which 'Verify The Recall' would gladly debate the issue with you, it doesn't excuse your side's inability to accurately and effectively count, does it?
No wonder your side can't effectively manage a budget without running huge deficits, illegally raiding segregated funds, and going into debt - you can't even count to 1M without screwing it up by over 100k!
Close enough isn't good enough for the people of Wisconsin - that's why we Stand With Walker!
Try again!
obtw
7:43 pm on Thursday, March 29, 2012
Please re-read the headline. Were "over 1,000,000" signatures" submitted?
It's either yes or no. Did Mike Tate lie?
morninmist
8:03 pm on Thursday, March 29, 2012
GRAND day obtw!!
The recall election for Walker is a go-officially!!
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/03/29/1078952/-Wisconsin-GAB-certifies-900k-valid-signatures-to-recall-Walker#c72
morninmist
8:40 pm on Thursday, March 29, 2012
@Hoffa et al
Your numbers game is old. Let's play a new game.
http://rootriversiren.blogspot.com/2012/03/dress-me-up-scotty.html
Dress Me Up Scotty
James R Hoffa
10:54 pm on Thursday, March 29, 2012
@morninmist -
Cute - but let's get one thing clear, shall we? It's your side's numbers game, not mine. In fact, this board is all about how your boy Tate went screaming to the media about over 1M signatures being submitted to the GAB. Apparently, Tate really needs to take some remedial elementary math, and everyone on your side that drunk and perpetuated this kool-aide for months (including yourself) needs some remedial lessons in humility!
Next time, back a horse that at least knows how to count - you'll have more credibility!
morninmist
5:38 am on Friday, March 30, 2012
@James R Hoffa 10:54 pm on Thursday, March 29, 2012
As the article says--"the counting is done". You only have your boring yipping left.
Onto the recall election.
And a reminder that the WI TeaGOP has shot themselves in the foot!
"@DontWalkeronME: Wisconsin's War on Women won't help Gov Walker (R-Tool) fight the recall efforts http://freakoutnation.com/2012/03/28/wisconsins-war-on-women-wont-help-gov-walker-r-tool-fight-the-recall-efforts/ #wirecall"
http://freakoutnation.com/2012/03/28/wisconsins-war-on-women-wont-help-gov-walker-r-tool-fight-the-recall-efforts/
http://www.todaystmj4.com/news/local/145107795.html
GAB set to declare recall elections against Walker, Kleefisch, 3 GOP senators
CREATED 5:00 AM
.....The counting is done, and recall supporters turned in more than 900,000 valid signatures against Walker and more than 800,000 against Kleefisch.
Enough valid signatures were already counted to bring about recalls against Senators Scott Fitzgerald, Pam Galloway (who has since decided to vacate her office), Terry Moulton and Van Wanggaard.
The GAB plans to certify the elections in just a few hours.
.........."The message is that Scott Walker abused his power. He wasn't honest with the people."....
morninmist
6:08 am on Friday, March 30, 2012
BTW @Hoffa and obtw and other TeaGOPer's --You need to keep track of your own (in)credibility before you go yipping like a broken record. This tweet is just one reminder!
Spud Lovr @SpudLovr
RT @ejkirkstein As #wiright crybabies desperately attack #wirecall, don't let them forget this: http://www.theblaze.com/stories/letter-encourages-wis-voters-to-sign-recall-petitions-adolf-hitler/ #wiunion #recallwalker
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/letter-encourages-wis-voters-to-sign-recall-petitions-adolf-hitler/
Letter Encourages Wisconsin Voters to Sign Recall Petitions ‘Adolf Hitler’
Posted on December 22, 2011 at 6:21pm by.......
morninmist
6:45 am on Friday, March 30, 2012
And a special tweet to all on this grand day --The GAB will make the recalls official.
Renee @PurrpleCatMama
Good Morning Peaceful Warriors on this Finally Friday, Day 412 of the People's Movement!
Mohammed Muja Mackmolloid Alla Achbar Hussein
9:27 am on Friday, March 30, 2012
Wlaker is trash, he's yesterdays garbage and might as well start packing his bags. If you are dumb enough to drink Walkers kool-aid and think a 50,000 a year teacher broke the bank your just plain dumb!
morninmist
6:45 pm on Friday, March 30, 2012
The TeaGOP is a bunch of hypocrites including folks on this board who constantly cry about Dems wasting taxpayer money. But here you go again--more wasting of taxpayer money. You tried it last summer and LOST--not you try again at taxpayers expense!
Lisa Mux. @Muxywithmoxie
GOP to run placeholder Dem candidates in all recalls http://elections.wispolitics.com/2012/03/gop-to-run-placeholder-dem-candidates.html #wiunion #wirecall What a waste of taxpayer $.