Monday, May 20, 2013
Did Gov. Scott Walker break a campaign promise when he vowed to keep pork out of the state budget?
Some campaign promises build in a bit of wiggle room. The one made by candidate for governor Scott Walker to “Strip policy and pork projects from the state budget” did not. This unequivocal pledge, posted on Walker’s campaign website, committed the candidate to eschewing both parties’ longstanding practice of using the budget to make policy changes and reward special interests. In April 2011, less than four months into Walker’s term, the truth-testers at PolitiFact Wisconsin branded this a broken promise. It noted that the nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau had identified dozens of non-fiscal items in the governor’s budget repair bills and first biennial budget. Walker’s latest executive budget, for 2013-15, included what the Fiscal …
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Controversies over the $648 million reserve fund and the $600,000 Palermo's Pizza deal are bedeviling University of Wisconsin leaders.
It’s hard not to feel a bit sorry for Rebecca Blank, incoming chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Sure, the acting U.S. commerce secretary, set to start in July, will make $500,000 a year — plus benefits and perks, including a university residence and car, money for travel and entertainment, and an unpaid academic appointment for her husband. But she’ll be stepping into a host of controversies, drawing flak from all directions. As one UW-Madison student quipped, “Blank is not starting off with a blank slate.” There’ll be ongoing fallout from some legislators’ volcanic eruptions over revelations that the UW System has a $648 million reserve fund. Though this is in line with other state systems, Wisconsin politicians are “…
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Speculation aside, Larry Sabato, a well-known political scientist lays out his argument for Gov. Scott Walker being a top-tier candidate for Republican nomination for president in 2016.
The signs that Gov. Scott Walker is laying the groundwork for a possible presidential run are clear, but still speculative. And that speculation may be intensifying as Larry Sabato, a well-known political scientist, has declared Walker a top-tier candidate for Republican nominee for president in 2016 — right up there with New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida. Walker is writing a book about his governorship, which may become a resume of sorts and is planning to address conservatives in Iowa at the invitation of Gov. Terry Branstad in May. He also was one of the key speakers at the Conservative Political Action Conference in March. And, according to Politico, “he wouldn’t commit to serving throughout a second four-…
Saturday, February 16, 2013
Gov. Scott Walker has proposed $3 million for grants to execute GPS tracking of certain people considered dangerous who have not yet violated a restraining order against them.
Gov. Scott Walker announced a plan to budget $3 million for grants to “allow GPS monitoring of certain dangerous individuals receiving first-time restraining orders.” Last April, Walker signed “Cindy’s Law,” which allows courts to institute GPS monitoring for restraining order violators. The new plan would allow people deemed especially dangerous to be tracked by GPS before violating the order. Relatives of a victim from last year’s Azana Spa Shooting in Brookfield have been pushing for tougher laws. Is it right that people who haven’t violated an order should have their whereabouts tracked electronically? And should the state provide grants to make it happen? Vote in our poll and discuss in the comments.
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Republican governor doubles down on goal to create 250,000 jobs by 2015 in his State of the State address, but Democrats remain skeptical.
Vowing to "put more money in the hands of the hard-working taxpayers," Gov. Scott Walker Tuesday night promised to push for middle-class tax cuts and double downed on his pledge to create 250,000 jobs by 2015. Addressing the state Legislature in his annual State of the State message, Walker acknowledged that Wisconsin is still a long way off meeting the jobs goal that he campaigned on in 2010. He noted that others have pointed out "plenty of reasons" why job creation in the state has been difficult, including the slow recovery at the national level and well as ongoing concerns about the impact of the Affordable Care Act. "But in Wisconsin, we don't make excuses... We get results," the governor said. To move in that direction, Walker urged …
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
In his weekly radio address, governor thanks Wisconsin's volunteers, especially those who helped out victims of Hurricane Sandy.
Here is a transcript of Gov. Scott Walker's weekly radio address, which aired on Wednesday. Hi, this is Scott Walker. This year, Tonette and I are glad to have our oldest son, Matt, home to join with our other son, Alex, and our parents as we enjoy the blessings of our family on Thanksgiving Day. We are so very thankful for our family and friends. It is also a time to again say thank you to the many people in our state who volunteer to help others in our schools, at senior and community centers, in places of worship and so many other locations across Wisconsin. And a special thanks to those who went east to help recover from Hurricane Sandy. Finally, we say thank you to all of our men and women who proudly serve in the military. To them, …
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
As as the only vice presidential debate nears, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker weighs in on what we can expect to see on Thursday.
As the nation anticipates Thursday’s vice presidential debate, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker says the best thing Paul Ryan can do is be Paul Ryan. Wisconsin’s native son Ryan will join the stage with Vice President Joe Biden Thursday in Danville, KY. It’s the second of four scheduled debates before the election, and is the only debate between the Republican congressman and Biden. "The only thing I would tell Paul Ryan is, 'to be yourself.' Those would be my simple words," Walker told Patch on Tuesday. "Paul Ryan is at his best when he is himself and in his element. He’s a man who can be aggressive but also respectful." Thursday's debate has taken on added importance after Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney emerged as the winner …
Monday, October 8, 2012
Former Walker staffer Kelly Rindfleisch is accused of using county time to complete campaign work for a Republican who lost the lieutenant governor race in 2010.
Gov. Scott Walker has been subpoenaed to testify in the trial of his former aide, Kelly Rindfleisch. WKOW-TV in Madison reports that a subpoena has been served on Walker’s attorney, Michael Steinle and was filed with Milwaukee County Judge David Hanscher. The document was submitted to the courts Friday. Rindfleisch is accused of using county time to complete campaign work for a Republican who lost the lieutenant governor race in 2010, according to the Wisconsin State Journal. Rindfleisch has pleaded not guilty to four felony counts of misconduct in office. Authorities say Rindfleisch committed misconduct while working her government job as deputy chief of staff for Walker, who was then Milwaukee County executive, WKOW-TV reports. …
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
The League of Wisconsin Municipalities sent a letter to Gov. Scott Walker Tuesday requesting a portion of the projected state budget surplus be returned to provide property tax relief.
Now that the state’s finances are projected to be back in the black under Gov. Scott Walker, organizations are lining up to receive their cut after sharing the sacrifice. The League of Wisconsin Municipalities sent a letter to the governor Tuesday requesting a portion of the projected surplus be returned to provide property tax relief. Municipalities took a $100 million hit in the current state budget to alleviate the state’s fiscal problems. However, the state announced that tax revenues are projected to come in $126.6 million higher than anticipated. The League of Municipalities contends the state’s recovery wouldn’t have occurred without investment in economic development and infrastructure at the local level. “(Gov. Walker) recently …
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
To avoid confusion on whether or not Act 10 is in effect, J.B. Van Hollen is asking the court for a stay while the case is being appealed.
As expected, Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen Tuesday filed a motion to stay the latest decision about Act 10, the collective bargaining law. Last Friday, Dane County Circuit Court Judge Juan Colas ruled that parts of Act 10 are unconstitutional because the law violates the guarantee of freedom of speech and citizens' freedom of association. Colas also determined that Act 10 does not offer equal protection under the law because it creates a separate class of state workers. In his motion to the Dane County Circuit Court, Van Hollen outlines his belief that the decision will be overturned on appeal. Until the appellate court rules, Van Hollen believes a stay is appropriate to avoid any confusion for municipalities and school districts that …
Dnaiel J. Phillips
6:42 am on Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Mark, The Repubs didnt want you and yours to feel left out, seeing that your boy Doyle"s budgets were loaded with non fiscal items. more ›