Scott Walker's Record on
Local Government Issues
A Consistent Theme Throughout Gov. Scott walker’s Administration Has Been Power Grabs, Particularly From Local Government
A consistent theme throughout Gov. Scott Walker’s administration has been power grabs, particularly from local government. Walker has signed several bills preempting legislation at the local level, including a medical leave ordinance in Milwaukee and local living wage ordinances throughout the state.
His approach to budgeting and taxes have also restricted local governments, capping local government’s ability to raise revenue through property taxes, slashing the amount of state revenue shared with local governments to pay for things like police, fire, and snow plowing.
Some of these attacks have been politically motivated attacks directed solely the Milwaukee County board, which Walker tangled with during his tenure as Milwaukee County exec. A law signed by Walker forced the board from four year terms to two year terms, cut the board’s budget by two-thirds, and resulted in county board supervisors’ positions changing from full-time to part-time.
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Walker’s rejection of shipwreck sanctuary draws mixed responses in Mequon, Port WashingtonGov. Scott Walker’s decision to rescind the state’s application for a national marine sanctuary was a cause for celebration for many lakefront homeowners, but was also a devastating blow to some community leaders who had worked on the project for the past four years… After initially supporting the sanctuary, Walker surprised local leaders when he […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 03/14/2018]
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Scott Walker stands by David Clarke, even after 4 inmates died in Milwaukee jails in 6 monthsScott Walker, the Wisconsin governor, indicated on Wednesday that he will not take any action against Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke, the Chicago Tribune reported. Walker said that while he has the authority to remove Clarke, he did not believe it was just job to do so. “I’m not in a position to say,” Walker […] [Salon, 04/27/2017]
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Walker Says He Won’t Remove Clarke As Milwaukee County SheriffGov. Scott Walker said he won’t remove Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke from office despite reports of an inmate who died of dehydration after being deprived of water for seven days in the Milwaukee County Jail, which is run by the sheriff’s office. … “I’ve read some of the stories, but to me I don’t […] [WPR, 04/26/2017]
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Scott Walker Deals Another Blow to Big Labor in WisconsinWisconsin Republican Gov. Scott Walker signed legislation that prevents local governments from requiring contractors to hire union labor for publicly funded construction projects. Walker signed the legislation, which passed along party lines in February, at a local distributor of construction materials in De Pere, Wisconsin, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. The governor and Wisconsin […] [Daily Signal, 04/18/2017]
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Scott Walker says Sheriff Clarke fabricated a story about him in new bookYesterday, Governor Scott Walker, responding to an excerpt from the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s new book, agreed with his long-time aide R.J. Johnson that the sheriff made up a story about his interactions with the governor. [Wisconsin Gazette, 03/03/2017]
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Editorial: What the next sheriff should bring to the jobIf Clarke is about to leave, Gov. Scott Walker should get serious about who would replace him. For the sake of the county he once led, Walker needs to get this appointment right. The governor should avoid playing politics, and appoint a steady, thoughtful, professional leader — qualities sorely needed after years of neglect by […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 03/03/2017]
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Walker talks public safety with Milwaukee authoritiesGov. Scott Walker is meeting with Milwaukee authorities to discuss public safety issues. Walker spokesman Tom Evenson said the governor met with Milwaukee aldermen and the Milwaukee police and firefighter union presidents in the state Capitol on Friday. Milwaukee Police spokesman Tim Gauerke said police Chief Ed Flynn also attended. A neighborhood on the city’s […] [Channel 3000, 08/19/2016]
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Scott Walker: Hillary Clinton’s comments are ‘inflaming’ racial tension in MilwaukeeIn an interview on “Fox and Friends,” Walker accused both Clinton and Obama of making the situation in the city worse, though he did not specify how. “I think comments like that are just inflaming the situation,” the former GOP presidential candidate said of Clinton’s remarks. He continued: “I think people understand in that neighborhood, […] [Providence Journal, 08/16/2016]
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Walker signs bill letting libraries use collection agencies to recoup finesAnother bill signed into law permits libraries to report borrowers who owe late fees to collections agencies, or in some cases, to law enforcement. It allows a library to report delinquent accounts to a law enforcement agency if the delinquency is at least $50. Information that may be disclosed is the individual’s name, contact information […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 03/01/2016]
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Walker signs bill allowing towns in Dane County to opt out of zoning lawsWalker also signed a bill allowing towns in Dane County to opt out of county zoning laws. The bill, authored by Rep. Keith Ripp, R-Lodi, was introduced after the Dane County Towns Association pushed for a way for towns to gain more autonomy over developments in rural areas, and to grow tax bases to pay […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 03/01/2016]
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Walker signs sex offender placement billGov. Scott Walker has signed a bill that creates uniform restrictions on where violent sex offenders can live.Municipalities currently use local ordinances to create zones where sex offenders can’t live.The bill creates statewide regulations barring violent sex offenders from living within 1,500 feet of any school, day care, youth center, church or public park. Sex […] [Associated Press, 02/29/2016]
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Walker won’t push for sanctuary city billGov. Scott Walker says he doesn’t expect the Wisconsin state Senate will pass a bill banning sanctuary cities, and he’s “just fine with that.” Walker said Wednesday that his focus is on bills that help improve the state’s economy. The Assembly last week passed the bill that says local governments can’t prohibit police from inquiring […] [Associated Press, 02/24/2016]
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Walker, GOP attack local controlSince Gov. Scott Walker took office in 2011, Republicans have passed nearly 100 unfunded mandates or measures that restrict the authority of local governments, according to a new memo. Over the last three legislative sessions, lawmakers have enacted 99 provisions that represent unfunded mandates or restrict the decision-making power of local governments, according to a […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 02/10/2016]
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Walker’s act 10 cited as concerns rise over teacher shortageIn the five years since Act 10 became law, Wisconsin school districts have experienced a dramatic decline in the number of applicants for each teacher vacancy. In 2015, there were an average of 3.2 candidates per vacancy, down from 6.6 candidates in 2012, according to Wisconsin Education Career Access Network data provided by Means. In […] [WITI-TV, 02/09/2016]
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Some Neenah teachers can opt out of evaluationsBefore Act 10, the law championed by Gov. Scott Walker to limit collective bargaining powers, public school districts in Wisconsin used step-and-lane models in which educators advanced on a salary schedule by accruing years of service and graduate school credits. Neenah, Appleton, Little Chute and a number of other school districts throughout the state have […] [Appleton Post-Crescent, 01/30/2016]
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The Agenda: Green Bay strip club scrutinizedGov. Scott Walker signed a bill on Nov. 30 rebating millions of dollars in excess Lambeau Field stadium tax revenue to Brown County communities. Green Bay’s finance committee will resume a discussion Monday on how to use its $5.4 million share of that money. [Green Bay Press-Gazette, 12/07/2015]
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Counties, assessors oppose Walker’s proposed shift to county assessingGov. Scott Walker’s proposal to shift property assessment duties from municipalities to counties is meeting resistance among assessors and county leaders. The Wisconsin Association of Assessing Officers voted this week to oppose the provision in its current form and the Wisconsin Counties Association issued a list of concerns about the plan. Both groups cited the […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 02/18/2015]
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Walker’s 2015 budget calls for more recycling cutsGov. Scott Walker is proposing cuts in his budget for recycling, a move that represents more than a 50% reduction in funding to communities over a five-year period. In the two-year budget he unveiled on Feb. 3, Walker proposed $15 million in state spending for local recycling programs. That’s a drop from $32.1 million in […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 02/11/2015]
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Barrett: Walker is abandoning Republican notion of local controlMayor Tom Barrett says Gov. Scott Walker’s proposal to end residency rules statewide for all units of local government means he is abandoning an ideal Republicans have long subscribed to: local control. “By abandoning the Republican mantra of local control, he is paying back supporters with a political favor,” Barrett said at a late-night news […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 02/21/2013]
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Walker Signed Bill Restricting Early Voting Hours and Limiting Local Clerks’ Control of Early Voting HoursSigned bill that limited clerk’s office hours and days available for early voting, eliminating weekend voting and severely restricting voting hours available outside the normal work day. The Assembly version of the bill (2013 AB 54) failed to pass, but a substantially similar bill (SB 324) was adopted. The Governor exercised a partial veto, striking […] [2013 SB 324, Senate Vote, 01/01/2013]
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How Far Does Walker Open Records Slowdown Go?MADISON, Wis. — A report that Gov. Walker’s gubernatorial campaign manager directed his Milwaukee County staff to “drag out” fulfilling requests under the state open records law for information related to a tragic incident involving the death of a young boy outside a county owned facility may not be an isolated incident, according to One […] [One Wisconsin Now, 11/20/2012]
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One Wisconsin Now Statements on Top Walker Aide Pleading Guilty to Felony Misconduct in OfficeMADISON, Wis. — One Wisconsin Now Executive Director Scot Ross released the following statements related to the announcement that Kelly Rindfleisch will plead guilty to one count of felony misconduct in public office for her actions as Deputy Chief of Staff to Scott Walker while he was Milwaukee County Executive: “You cannot understate the seriousness […] [One Wisconsin Now, 10/09/2012]
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Walker Budget Included Largest Cuts to Shared Revenue in a Decade in 2011-13 BudgetThe 2011-13 budget cut shared revenue aid to local governments by $76 million, a 9% reduction, the largest in at least a decade. Shared revenue helps to pay for local services like police, fire, and snow plowing. [Politifact, 05/24/2012]
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Walker attempt to privatize food stamps and take over Medical Assistance from counties blocked; counties form consortiums to meet demand while dealing with 16.8% budget cutHere’s the challenge: The state cut funding to operate economic support services by 16.8 percent, while at the same time requiring counties to contribute the same amount to services that they did in 2009. In his budget repair bill, Gov. Scott Walker proposed taking all of those duties away from counties. Medical Assistance, the Supplemental […] [Janesville Gazette, 12/31/2011]
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Walker slashed general transportation aids to local governments for road maintenanceWalker signed into law $27.5 million in cuts to transportation aid to local governments for maintenance of local roads. (2011-13 Executive Budget Comparative Summary, Department of Transportation, page 666; 2011 Assembly Bill 40, introduced 3/1/11; Senate Roll Call; Assembly Roll Call) [2011 WI Act 32, 06/26/2011]
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GOP bill takes away local control over landlords; allows landlords to discriminate against poor peopleMadison city officials and housing advocates are reeling from a punch delivered by new GOP legislation that threatens to erase several decades worth of renter protections enacted here. Senate Bill 107, introduced on May 26 with the backing of landlords and property owners, realty agents and the construction industry, is on a fast track and […] [Capital Times, 06/15/2011]
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Walker Prevented Local Governments From Having Their Own Paid Sick Leave LawsWalker signed into law a bill that prevented local government’s from passing paid sick leave or family medical leave laws that are more inclusive and powerful than the statewide law. The governor signed the bill into law on May 5, 2011. (2011 SB 23, introduced 2/23/11; Senate Roll Call; Assembly Roll Call) [2011 WI Act 16, 05/05/2011]
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Walker Privatized Courthouse Security, Resulting in a Convicted Sex Offender Working There Without County Knowledge“(Chad Wegener) works for Wackenhut Security Services, a big international firm, which took over security at the Courthouse last month. However, back in 2004, Wegener resigned as chief of police in Manawa, Wisconsin amid scandal — accused of making repeated unwanted sexual advances towards on-duty male officers after pressuring them to drink beer and watch […] [WMTJ-TV, 04/15/2010]
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Walker proposes ending county government“Walker, the county executive who is running for governor, renewed his call Monday to parcel out county functions to the state, municipalities and to governmental districts yet to be created. Walker has proposed having the state take over administration of public assistance programs, social services for seniors and people with disabilities, and the courts. Cities […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 07/22/2009]
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Walker Said Shared Revenue Cuts Made His Job as County Exec Harder“Doyle said Friday he is working with Democratic legislative leaders on the next round of cuts for all state programs but was not ready to announce what he will recommend. A 5% cut in state aid to local governments would give them about $48 million less for their 2010 budgets. In February, before the latest […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 05/16/2009]
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Walker Recorded Tax Ad for Club for Growth“The referendum also faced organized opposition from a local conservative political action group, Wisconsin Club for Growth, which ran radio ads critical of the sales tax increase over the past week. Walker recorded the ads for the group. In them, he raised the still-potent specter of the controversial 2001 county pension deal by saying, ‘The […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 11/05/2008]
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Walker’s Pledge to Freeze Property Tax and Refusal to Raise Any Taxes ‘Exacerbates the County’s Woes’“But Walker exacerbates the county’s woes by sticking to his pledge to freeze the county property tax. The sentiment is commendable, but his intransigence is anything but. …Walker’s pledge fits his belief in small government. But it also conveniently provides Walker, who ran for governor in 2006 and clearly has his sights on higher office, […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 03/30/2008]
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Plan Walker Supported Was Particularly Harsh On MilwaukeeGov. Jim Doyle said Tuesday he will veto a Republican plan for distributing the state aid local governments use to pay for services such as police and fire protection, saying it unfairly penalizes poorer cities such as Milwaukee. The Democratic governor said he also will use his veto authority to cap cuts in shared revenue […] [Associated Press, 07/09/2003]
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But Then Walker Supported Republican Plan for Shared Revenue Cuts & Property Tax Freeze“Assembly Republicans on Thursday proposed a two-year statewide property tax freeze as a way to shield taxpayers…State aid to cities, counties, villages and towns would be set at $931 million in 2004 — the level recommended by Doyle, and about a 7 percent cut from state aid in 2003. Doyle, speaking to about 200 municipal […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 05/23/2003]
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Walker Supported Plan to Eliminate State Aid to Municipalities, Raise Local Sales TaxesThe lawmakers’ proposal would eliminate the $ 819.5 million a year in operating subsidies that state government gives to cities, villages and towns.But it would continue state operating aid of $189 million to counties. The proposal would cut the 5 percent statewide sales tax by an amount equal to $ 819.5 million, which officials said […] [Associated Press, 02/26/1999]
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Walker Sponsored Bill Capping Public School SpendingThe bill proposed making permanent a previously adopted cap on public school funding. [1995 AB 6, 01/01/1995]
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Walker Proposed Capping State SpendingWalker claimed the new Republican Legislators pioneered the idea. “We felt it was important as new members to stress that we were looking for something dynamic and different.” [Capital Times, 12/09/1993]
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