Politics

Gov. Scott Walker is a masterful career politician, willing to do or say anything to get elected. He carefully cultivates relationships with key players and donors.

Scott Walker is also willing to push the boundaries of ethics and law, which has ensnared him two John Doe investigations into activities of his campaign. In addition, he was able to take advantage of a recall fundraising loophole to raise unlimited campaign cash and solidify a nationwide network of mega-donors.

His political philosophy can be summed up in three easy steps we call the Walker Doctrine: (1) Reward my donors, (2) Increase my power, and (3) Punish my enemies.

Content
Ex-Gov. Scott Walker secures enough fellow travelers to launch Hawaiian cruise this winter Scott Walker couldn't get enough people to pay to cruise Alaska with him when he actually had power and influence. [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 06/12/2019]
Trump Circus Comes to Town Politicians like Scott Walker, desperately seeking a ride to relevance in the Donald Trump clown car, are complicit in failure. [One Wisconsin Now, 04/26/2019]
Walker to charge at least $15,000 on speaking circuit Liberal grop One Wisconsin Now tweeted that Walker should speak on “How I Crashed and Burned a Presidential Campaign in 71 Days.” [Associated Press, 02/07/2019]
Scott Walker refusing to ride quietly into the sunset He is clearly happy those laws will be challenged by the likes of the ACLU, One Wisconsin Institute and other respected groups that have announced such plans. [People's World, 01/07/2019]
Devil’s Advocates Radio: December 14, 2018 Will there be a lawsuit? Yeah, probably. Scott Walker signed the three #LameDuckCoup bills into law today and Scot Ross may sue as part of One Wisconsin Now. [WRRD-AM, 12/14/2018]
Scott Walker’s Legacy: Giving Taxpayer Funds to Corporations and Destroying Democracy Scott Walker’s going to have to tell the people of Wisconsin how restricting their right to vote is creating more transparency. [the Progressive, 12/14/2018]
UNSPUN: December 12, 2018 Tensions are running high in state politics as Governor Scott Walker considers a package of bills passed in a special legislative session. [WMTV-TV, 12/12/2018]
GOP Blames Voters Voting for Electoral Defeats, Proposes Plan to Limit Participation in 2020 State High Court Race Republicans appear to have settled on an explanation for why they lost every statewide race on the ballot in the November 6 elections: Too many voters voted. [One Wisconsin Now, 11/16/2018]
Scott Walker, lawmakers consider helping conservative justice before Tony Evers becomes governor Analiese Eicher noted Republicans fought plans to hold special elections this year and complained about the cost of past recall elections. [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 11/15/2018]
Mamma Mia! Those Are Some Big Contributions In September 2018 Scott Walker charged Wisconsin taxpayers over $6,500 to fly from Madison to Milwaukee to Omaha, Nebraska and back to Madison. [One Wisconsin Now, 11/05/2018]
Report Finds Scott Walker Tops Nation in Out-of-State Fundraising for Gubernatorial Candidates A report found Scott Walker’s haul of $11.5 million from donors not living in Wisconsin through early October led the nation for out-of-state contributions. [One Wisconsin Now, 10/30/2018]
Eric Trump Can Expect Smooth Landing in Wisconsin Rapids Eric Trump will be flying in to Wisconsin today as Republicans experience electoral turbulence across the country and here in state. [One Wisconsin Now, 10/30/2018]
Donald Trump turns focus to Wisconsin’s races for Senate, governor Trump's visit "just reinforces Walker's racist, sexist, xenophobic record," said Analiese Eicher, program director for the liberal group One Wisconsin Now. [Associated Press, 10/25/2018]
NRA Campaign Ad Mispronounces Name of Walker Opponent Evers The liberal group One Wisconsin Now obtained a copy of the ad Friday. It says the buy is $740,000 in Green Bay, Wausau and La Crosse. [Associated Press, 10/12/2018]
Republicans Pick Republican Walker In an amazing piece of poll magic, Scott Walker managed to improve his numbers by exactly the same numbers pollster Franklin flipped his sample. [One Wisconsin Now, 10/10/2018]
Five Things to Remember When Scott Walker Whines About Campaign Fundraising Trailing in the polls and desperate to continue his quarter century political career, Scott Walker is “getting back to basics.” [One Wisconsin Now, 09/19/2018]
The Wisconsin Race For Governor Scot Ross joined Joy Reid to discuss Wisconsin's 2018 gubernatorial race where public education advocate Tony Evers faces Scott Walker. [MSNBC, 09/09/2018]
Will Frequent Flyer Scott Walker Get Bumped from Trip with Veep on Air Force 2 When VP Mike Pence jets to Wisconsin today on Air Force 2 to raise campaign cash, he’ll be greeted at the airport by frequent flyer Gov. Scott Walker. [One Wisconsin Now, 08/30/2018]
One Wisconsin Now Statements on That Poll Over There "Charles Franklin has proven if you poll Scott Walker supporters, Scott Walker will do okay." [One Wisconsin Now, 08/22/2018]
Tight Wisconsin races come amid signs of more GOP excitement "If you poll Scott Walker supporters, Scott Walker will do OK," liberal activist Scot Ross, head of the group One Wisconsin Now, said in a statement. [Associated Press, 08/22/2018]
State Lobby for Big Corporate Special Interests Starts Spending to Try to Save Scott Walker The Same Gang That Tried to Win Election With Ad Outing Child Victim of Sex Assault Now Misleads on Record of Tony Evers. [One Wisconsin Now, 08/16/2018]
Scott Walker touts tax breaks as he and Tony Evers joust over road funding Scot Ross said Walker was responding to polls that show voters aren't happy with Walker's performance in some areas. [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 08/15/2018]
Desperate Scott Walker Running on What He Didn’t Do Scott Walker admitted he's losing so instead of running on his record, he's running on what he didn't do. [One Wisconsin Now, 08/15/2018]
Scott Walker and GOP Senate candidates say they oppose a Harley boycott after avoiding the issue Every time Scott Walker tries to thread the needle with Donald Trump, he looks like a career politician who's willing to be on all sides of an issue. [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 08/13/2018]
Democrats argue the case against a third Scott Walker term Gov. Scott Walker has a list of reasons he says he should be re-elected to a third term. And over the past year he has traveled the state and spent millions on campaign ads to drive that message home. But the eight Democrats running against him have their own list of reasons he shouldn’t be […] [La Crosse Tribune, 08/05/2018]
NRB approves land swap with major Scott Walker donor The Natural Resources Board approved a land swap with a major donor to Republican Gov. Scott Walker on Wednesday after balking last fall at the outright sale of publicly owned lakefront property. The state will give up 1.75 acres with waterfront access next to an 11-unit condominium owned by Elizabeth Uihlein on Rest Lake near […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 08/03/2018]
In Trump’s shadow, Scott Walker seeks 3rd term as Wisconsin governor As incumbent Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker seeks reelection to a third term, he may be in for a rough road ahead that reflects the GOP’s struggle to hold onto its identity in the age of President Donald Trump.In fact, a new NBC News/Marist poll shows Tony Evers, the state superintendent of schools who’s poised to […] [ABC News, 08/02/2018]
Desperate Scott Walker Goes Negative Weeks Before Democratic Primary to Pick His General Election Opponent With sagging poll numbers, career politician Scott Walker dispatchesRepublican Party to run negative ads. [One Wisconsin Now, 08/01/2018]
Latest polls suggest Scott Walker faces tougher re-election path than Tammy Baldwin Walker led state school Superintendent Tony Evers, his best known Democratic challenger, by 4 points in a June poll by the Marquette University Law School. But he trailed Evers by 13 points in a July survey by Marist/NBC and by 7 points in a survey released Monday by Emerson College in Boston. The Marquette poll […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 08/01/2018]
Walker donors nailing down more Foxconn contracts One Wisconsin Now reports that more Foxconn contracts are being awarded to Walker campaign donors. [the Political Environment, 07/31/2018]
Scott Walker’s troubles highlight deeper GOP issues in governors’ races Poll of the week: A Marist College poll gives Democrat Tony Evers a 54% to 41% lead over Republican Gov. Scott Walker in the Wisconsin gubernatorial election. This poll is more optimistic for Evers, the most likely Democratic nominee, than the only previous nonpartisan poll of the race. Walker led Evers by a 48% to […] [CNN, 07/28/2018]
Poll shows Walker trailing Democrat by double-digits in Wisconsin A new poll from NBC News and Marist College shows Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker trailing a Democratic challenger by double-digits, part of a raft of rough results for Republicans across three Midwestern states. The poll showed Wisconsin state education superintendent Tony Evers, the Democratic primary front-runner, taking 54 percent to Walker’s 41 percent in a […] [Politico, 07/26/2018]
Poll finds Scott Walker job approval still among 10 worst in country The poll comes as Walker’s campaign has spent more than $2 million and Americans for Prosperity spent almost $1 million on ads across the state touting the governor’s record, according to research by liberal advocacy group One Wisconsin Now, which tracks campaign ad spending. [Wisconsin State Journal, 07/26/2018]
In re-election bid, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker trails Democrat by 13 points, poll says State schools Superintendent Tony Evers holds a strong lead over Republican Gov. Scott Walker in a hypothetical fall match-up, according to an NBC News/Marist College Poll released Thursday. Evers leads Walker, 54 percent to 41 percent, the poll showed. Just 34 percent of registered Wisconsin voters say Walker deserves re-election, while 61 percent said someone […] [USA Today, 07/26/2018]
Walker overshadows Dem guv field in ad spending The liberal One Wisconsin Now, which tracks media buys, says Walker’s TV buys running May 1-Aug. 19 are up to $2.3 million between broadcast and cable. The group said Milwaukee was Walker’s biggest market at $817,000, followed by Green Bay at $626,000. [WisPolitics, 07/25/2018]
More Donors to Gov. Scott Walker’s Campaign Get Foxconn Contracts ‘Those Who Give Keep Getting’ As Total of Donations to Scott Walker From Businesses Snagging Contracts Surpasses $582,000 [One Wisconsin Now, 07/24/2018]
Walker appears with Trump for worker event at White House Gov. Scott Walker has attended a White House ceremony with President Donald Trump and members of his Cabinet focused on bolstering American workers including at the planned Foxconn Technology Group project in Wisconsin. Walker was among many other elected officials, business leaders and others who were at the event Thursday. Trump signed an executive order […] [WBAY-TV, 07/19/2018]
8 remaining Democratic gubernatorial candidates go after Scott Walker in first debate The eight remaining Democrats running for governor mostly avoided taking shots at each other in their first televised debate Thursday night and instead trained much of their fire on Gov. Scott Walker. … Walker, speaking to supporters at a nearby event before the debate, said Democrats are focused on what they are against, and he […] [Chippewa Herald, 07/13/2018]
Scott Walker: Wisconsin’s $100 Million Man No other Wisconsin politician has crossed the threshold Scott Walker is expected to when he discloses his most recent round of campaign fundraising. [One Wisconsin Now, 07/12/2018]
Gov. Walker addresses supporters ahead of democratic gubernatorial debate He stressed that even though he’s running for a fourth time, it won’t be an easy race. He said he thinks the Democratic side is angry and he wants to counter that with optimism and organization. … “I think things are good in this state,” said Walker. “More people are working, property taxes are down, […] [WTMJ-TV, 07/12/2018]
Gubernatorial candidates Walker and Roys stop in Northeast Wisconsin Incumbent, Republican Scott Walker, meanwhile, made a stop at an LED manufacturer in Manitowoc. He said he’s confident, saying the technique he’s had in past campaigns will work again. “I think the people in this state want leaders who tell them what they’re for, not who they’re against, and I think that’s the biggest differential […] [WBAY-TV, 07/09/2018]
GOP Senate candidate joins Gov. Walker in conga line Gov. Scott Walker hasn’t officially endorsed anyone in the Republican U.S. Senate primary, but there are numerous signals that his preferred candidate is state Sen. Leah Vukmir. The latest? A smiling Vukmir joined Walker in a conga line at a Fourth of July party Saturday night at the governor’s mansion and blasted a photo of […] [Merced Sun-Star, 07/09/2018]
Twenty-Five Years of Scott Walker It’s officially Scott Walker’s 25th anniversary in his self-described “government hammock.” [Scot Ross, 06/28/2018]
Scott Walker’s former corrections secretary endorses Tony Evers in governor race Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker’s former corrections secretary, Ed Wall, is endorsing Democratic candidate Tony Evers in the race for governor. Wall, appointed by Walker in 2012, resigned from his post shortly after it was reported that the Federal Bureau of Investigation had taken over an investigation into abuse at the state’s youth prison in 2016… […] [Capital Times, 06/21/2018]
Scott Walker Makes Taxpayers Finance His Campaign Operation, Again Republican Gov. Scott Walker is using taxpayer resources to stage a “major” announcement this morning at a business run by a major GOP donor. [One Wisconsin Now, 06/12/2018]
Dems, Gov. Walker criticize Wisconsin Broadcasters decision We asked Gov. Walker what he thinks, and he agreed with the Democrats. “I thought they should do all 10, and if anything I would’ve proposed adding an hour so that you get enough time, even if they did five and five to divvy it up. I still think for the voters it’s important for […] [WBAY-TV, 06/08/2018]
Scott Walker: Don’t read too much into June 12 special election results, no matter who wins No matter who wins two special legislative elections on June 12, Gov. Scott Walker is cautioning against reading too much into the results. Walker hasn’t endorsed a candidate in either race and told reporters Wednesday he’ll “look at the race between now and the 12th.”… Walker has referred to the two elections as a “wake-up […] [Capital Times, 06/06/2018]
As Democrats Line Up Against Him, Walker Takes Upbeat Approach When Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker stopped at a Shopko department store in the Waukesha County village of Sussex recently to promote his new $100-per-child tax credit, the mood was relaxed, and so was Walker… Walker said the child tax credit was another way to give back to taxpayers. He said Democrats who call the checks […] [WPR, 06/01/2018]
Foxconn’s lead developer has close ties to Walker Foxconn Technology Group has selected a company led by a Republican megadonor with close ties to Gov. Scott Walker to develop the master plan for its massive campus in Wisconsin. Foxconn announced Monday that it chose Hammes Company to be the lead developer on the project that will house a display-screen factory on a campus […] [WISN-TV, 05/14/2018]
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker is sending 671,000 families an election-year check. Democrats call it bribery. Starting May 15, parents in Wisconsin can log on to a state-run website, answer a few questions and sign up to get checks worth $100 per child. To Gov. Scott Walker (R), who drove the one-time tax payout into law, it’s a chance to turn a state budget surplus into a bonus for parents who […] [Washington Post, 05/03/2018]
Gov. Scott Walker says he would campaign with Donald Trump if he comes to Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker said Monday that he would campaign with President Donald Trump if he comes to Wisconsin, despite recently saying he was unlikely to appear with national Republicans for the rest of the year. The Republican governor pushed back against reports that he was trying to distance himself from the president as he campaigns […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 04/30/2018]
Increasingly Desperate Gov. Scott Walker to Start Re-Election TV Ads May 1 The increasingly desperate campaign of Scott Walker has upped the ante from issuing wake up calls to hitting the panic button. [One Wisconsin Now, 04/26/2018]
Vice President Mike Pence on Scott Walker: ‘I think he’s the best governor in America’ It’s pretty clear that Vice President Mike Pence stands with Gov. Scott Walker, who faces a potentially tough re-election fight in the fall. “I think he’s the best governor in America, which I can say with much greater confidence now that I don’t have my old job back,” said Pence, a former Indiana governor, during […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 04/26/2018]
Vice President Mike Pence touts tax cuts, raises cash for Scott Walker in Milwaukee With the midterm elections just over six months away, Vice President Mike Pence came to Milwaukee on Wednesday to rally conservatives, bolster public support for the Republican tax overhaul and raise campaign cash for Gov. Scott Walker… Woo, who received a standing ovation from the audience, talked about the pro-business policies of the Trump administration […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 04/25/2018]
Wary of GOP complacency, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker braces for a possible ‘blue wave’ This is Scott Walker’s 15th campaign in 28 years, and he can see which way the wind is blowing. “The wind’s not at our back. It’s not at our side. It is firmly in our face,” the governor said at a Lincoln Day Republican dinner last Saturday… “My number-one concern for almost a year has […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 04/19/2018]
Ex-Walker campaign manager joins Trump’s team The former campaign manager to Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker’s presidential bid has joined Donald Trump’s White House campaign. Rick Wiley, a GOP strategist with deep ties to the Republican Party, is joining the campaign as its national political director, deepening its bench of veteran GOP operatives with national political experience. [CNN, 04/13/2018]
Ex-Walker campaign manager joins Trump’s team The former campaign manager to Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker’s presidential bid has joined Donald Trump’s White House campaign. Rick Wiley, a GOP strategist with deep ties to the Republican Party, is joining the campaign as its national political director, deepening its bench of veteran GOP operatives with national political experience. [CNN, 04/13/2018]
Democratic governors launch ‘Where’s Walker?’ effort as Republican group plans ad blitz The Democratic Governors Association on Thursday launched a “Where’s Walker?” website dedicated to highlighting Gov. Scott Walker’s travels throughout the country during his second term, as he seeks re-election for a third. The push comes as Walker is set to headline a fundraising dinner Thursday evening for Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner, who is seeking a […] [Capital Times, 04/12/2018]
WTMJ Exclusive: Walker comments on Speaker Ryan reportedly not seeking re-election “I talked to him before a while back when it was kind of the start of the rumblings this might be the case. At that point, he made it clear he had made a decision,” said Gov. Walker. “I prayed with him quite a bit when he was being considered for Speaker,” said Walker. “Paul […] [WTMJ-TV, 04/11/2018]
Republican Governors Association books $5M for Scott Walker ads The Republican Governors Association said Monday it has booked $5.1 million in television ad buys for the fall in Wisconsin as Gov. Scott Walker warned on conservative talk radio that winning re-election will be more difficult than when he overcame a recall effort in 2012… Walker, who is up for a third term in November, […] [Associated Press, 04/09/2018]
Governor Walker sees ‘blue wave’ in Northeast Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker visited Door County for a Lincoln Day Dinner event Saturday, sharing the state’s accomplishments to his supporters. On his way to the event in Sturgeon Bay, Governor Walker was greeted by ‘blue wave’ protesters. This after Governor Walker tweeted Tuesday that the state is at risk of a ‘blue wave’ and the […] [WBAY-TV, 04/07/2018]
Whose Campaign is Wisconsin Next PAC Working For? Gov. Scott Walker’s former team ganged up to form a super-PAC, ostensibly for the benefit of Republican U.S. Senate candidate Leah Vukmir. [One Wisconsin Now, 04/06/2018]
Walker warns GOP ‘at risk of a #BlueWave’ after Democratic win in Wisconsin court race On the heels of a major swing in Democrats’ favor in a state Senate race in Wisconsin earlier this year, it’s the latest indication that the political ground has shifted since President Donald Trump and Republican Sen. Ron Johnson won there in 2016. Walker, who is up for re-election to a third term next fall, […] [CNN, 04/04/2018]
Political advisor with ties to Walker, Ryan accused of keeping sex slave The ex-fiancée of a political operative with ties to Gov. Scott Walker and House Speaker Paul Ryan alleges he battered her and had her sign a five-page contract stating that she would be his “slave and property” shortly after they met… Sparks served as a Wisconsin spokesman during Ryan’s 2012 vice presidential run with former […] [WISN-TV, 04/04/2018]
Scott Walker Is Quietly Keeping His National Profile Alive Those close to Walker insist his first priority is reelection in Wisconsin. But they also acknowledge that Walker is methodical and strategic about his endorsements, and that a governor whose political identity is rooted in a clash with organized labor and public employee unions puts a priority on helping candidates who embrace conservative principles consistent […] [BuzzFeed News, 04/02/2018]
Oops! Scott Walker didn’t endorse Leah Vukmir but for a short time it sure looked that way Gov. Scott Walker has vowed to remain neutral in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate. But for a short time Friday it looked as if Walker had endorsed state Sen. Leah Vukmir over Delafield businessman Kevin Nicholson. It was a mistake… Walker campaign spokesman Brian Reisinger said: “The governor is remaining neutral in the U.S. […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 03/30/2018]
Scott Walker Was Elected in Special Election Scott Walker’s been in office for so long he seems to have forgotten it was a special election that got him into the government hammock 25 years ago. [One Wisconsin Now, 03/28/2018]
Sen. Tammy Baldwin’s fight to win back Wisconsin for Democrats, explained First thing Walker does in the morning is check the polls, stick his finger in the air, and then figure out how to spend our tax dollars based on the first two. [Vox, 03/15/2018]
Wisconsin sales tax holiday bill appears dead and entire tax cut bill at risk of impasse A Wisconsin sales tax holiday appears all but dead in the state Senate and an impasse between GOP lawmakers is putting the entire tax cut bill at risk… GOP Gov. Scott Walker has pushed hard for that child tax rebate, making it the centerpiece of his re-election agenda as he heads into a difficult fall […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 02/26/2018]
Paul Ryan, Ron Johnson to return money from group associated with accused billionaire Steve Wynn One Wisconsin Now called on Walker and the Republican Governors Association "do the right thing" and give back all of the money. [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 01/29/2018]
Wisconsin Republicans Returning Money Received From Wynn The liberal group One Wisconsin Now called for two other Republican groups to return donations it received from Wynn. [Associated Press, 01/29/2018]
Scott Walker Took $255,000 from Serial Sexual Misconduct Perpetrator Steve Wynn Two political funds Gov. Scott Walker is associated with took $255,000 in contributions from Steve Wynn, the ousted Republican National Committee finance chair. [One Wisconsin Now, 01/29/2018]
Walker helps local GOP open state’s ninth Republican field office Eleven days after a special election turned Wisconsin’s 10th Senate District blue, the mood was scrappy as La Crosse County Republicans — with help from Gov. Scott Walker — opened the state’s ninth GOP field office for the upcoming election cycle… With nine field offices already open, Wisconsin Republicans are far ahead of their pace […] [Winona Daily News, 01/27/2018]
Third of Walker Donations Came From Out-Of-State The analysis found Walker’s campaign collected nearly $7.2 million in donations in 2017, with nearly $6.6 million coming from individual contributors. About $4.2 million, or 64 percent, came from Wisconsin donors. Nearly $2.4 million, or 36 percent, came from out-of-staters. [Associated Press, 01/26/2018]
Scott Walker’s presidential campaign has reimbursed state $135,000 for security costs Gov. Scott Walker’s presidential campaign has reimbursed the state $135,000 for the governor’s taxpayer-funded security detail during his presidential run last year, the Department of Administration said Monday. That brings the total recovered by the state for his political travel-related security last year to nearly $260,000, which Walker and his administration say represents the total […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 01/26/2018]
It’s Come to This: With 2018 Election Year Gimmick Gov. Scott Walker is Literally Seeking to Buy Votes Instead of real, lasting reforms to help families we get an election year gimmick from the governor. It’s classic Scott Walker. [One Wisconsin Now, 01/25/2018]
Walker Travels Wisconsin To Sell New Child Tax Credit Plan The liberal group One Wisconsin Now said the governor is literally seeking to buy votes, handing out money months before the November election. [Wisconsin Public Radio, 01/25/2018]
Desperate and Scared Gov. Scott Walker Delivers Annual State of the State Speech Gov. Scott Walker’s speech was chock full of the campaign slogans and election year promises the $50,000 poll his campaign just paid for told him to make. [One Wisconsin Now, 01/24/2018]
Scott Walker’s Election Year State of State Promise Primer Career politician Scott Walker is in full election mode, ensuring today’s State of the State speech will be loaded with slogans and election year promises. [One Wisconsin Now, 01/24/2018]
Team Michael Screnock = Team Scott Walker Michael Screnock worked to defend Gov. Scott Walker’s agenda in court, now Team Walker campaigns for Screnock’s Supreme Court race. [One Wisconsin Now, 01/19/2018]
Scott Walker has nearly four times more cash than the Democratic field Mike Browne, deputy director of One Wisconsin Now, said the Democratic fundraising total shows “a fair amount of enthusiasm” on the Democratic side. [Wisconsin State Journal, 01/17/2018]
Scott Walker calls Dem victory in GOP-leaning Wisconsin Senate seat ‘a wake-up call’ A Democrat’s victory in a special election to fill a vacant seat in the Wisconsin state Legislature is “a wake-up call for Republicans in Wisconsin,” Gov. Scott Walker wrote on Twitter on Tuesday night. The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reported that Patty Schachtner, a Democrat, was victorious in Tuesday’s special election for Wisconsin’s 10th Senate District, a […] [Politico, 01/17/2018]
Scott Walker has nearly four times more cash than the Democratic field Gov. Scott Walker’s campaign began the year with nearly four times as much money as the sprawling Democratic field after out-fundraising his potential rivals by more than two-and-a-half times last year. Walker raised $7.2 million last year compared with the $2.6 million cumulative haul of the eight Democratic candidates who filed campaign reports with the […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 01/17/2018]
Republican Rep. Andre Jacque Announces State Senate Bid Jacque is the first candidate to announce plans to run since Lasee resigned last week to take a job in Gov. Scott Walker’s administration. Walker said he won’t appoint anyone to fill the seat this year, leaving it open until the November election. [WPR, 01/02/2018]
Pedophile Patron Also Props Up Gov. Scott Walker’s Political Machine Richard Uihlein – an enormous backer of Republican U.S. Senate candidate Roy Moore – has donated millions to Scot Walker’s political operation. [One Wisconsin Now, 11/29/2017]
One Wisconsin Now Calls on Gov. Scott Walker and Fellow Conservative Politicians to Give Back Donations from Roy Moore’s $100,000 Supporter Richard Uihlein Gov. Scott Walker and the other politicians and groups that have taken money from Moore supporter Richard Uihlein should give his money back.” [One Wisconsin Now, 11/28/2017]
How often does Gov. Scott Walker, seeking re-election in 2018, hold events open to the public? Since 2015, Scott Walker has not done a public event where you don't have to pay admission or be on an approved list. I mean, it is disgraceful. [Politifact, 11/15/2017]
Report: Rigged Bid Delivers State Contract for Gov. Scott Walker’s Campaign Treasurer A consulting firm owned by Gov. Scott Walker’s campaign treasurer Kate Lind received a state contract for services, after being the only one to bid on it. [One Wisconsin Now, 11/09/2017]
Scott Walker’s campaign treasurer’s firm gets Capitol contract after being the only bidder This rigged deal to give a state contract to Governor Walker's campaign treasurer's business is as sleazy as it gets. [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 11/08/2017]
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker downplays Foxconn because deal not a sure campaign winner Scot Ross, head of the liberal group One Wisconsin Now, noted Walker regularly gets polls of his own. [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 11/06/2017]
Wisconsin’s Gov. Scott Walker Launches Bid for Third Term "You're not going to beat Scott Walker by promising he'll make Wisconsin worse," said Scot Ross. [Associated Press, 11/06/2017]
Walker calls for ‘army of grassroots volunteers’ “You’re not going to beat Scott Walker by promising he’ll make Wisconsin worse,” said Scot Ross. [Associated Press, 11/05/2017]
Ten Things to Know About Scott Walker, 2017 Edition Scott Walker, who’s been running for political office for nearly his entire adult life, since 1992, is running for office again. [One Wisconsin Now, 11/03/2017]
At Least 925,000 Reasons Why Right-Wing Florida Group Produces Campaign-Style Video Promoting Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker Scott Walker's 2018 Election Bid Kicks Off With Bradley Foundation Once Again Writing Checks to Support His Ambitions. [One Wisconsin Now, 10/20/2017]
Right-Wing Florida Group Produces Campaign-Style Video Promoting Scott Walker Scott Walker has launched a campaign video, eerily at the same time as a 4 minute video featuring Walker is released by a group from Florida. [WRRD-AM, 10/20/2017]
Devil’s Advocates Radio: September 19, 2017 Apparently, the Republican Governors Association, led by Scott Walker is spreading Russia-style fake news. The Devil’s talk to Scot Ross about it. [WRRD-AM, 09/19/2017]
Bipartisan Critics Assail Scott Walker-Led Republican Governors Association’s Dishonest, Russian Style Foray Into Fake News The Gov. Scott Walker-led Republican Governors Association (RGA) has launched a propaganda website masquerading as a legitimate news outlet. [One Wisconsin Now, 09/19/2017]
Foxconn Creates A Job … for Top Scott Walker Campaign Consultant Scott Walker’s longtime campaign manager working with the firm lobbying for the state subsidy for Foxconn epitomizes how Scott Walker operates. [One Wisconsin Now, 08/29/2017]
UNSPUN: July 19, 2017 Bill McCoshen and Scot Ross join NBC15's Leigh Mills to help Unspin Tammy Baldwin and Scott Walker Fundraising Reports. [WMTV-TV, 07/19/2017]
Scott Walker, Worst Governor in Nation on Student Loan Debt, to Host Donald Trump, Owner of Scam For Profit ‘University’ Scott Walker and Donald Trump may be a perfect match, but over 43 million Americans with student debt deserve better than the policies of this duo. [One Wisconsin Now, 06/13/2017]
Scott Walker says people outside Washington like Donald Trump “Scott Walker is all in for Trump because he wants every dime he can raise from Trump,” said Scot Ross, director of the liberal group One Wisconsin Now. [Associated Press, 06/13/2017]
Scott Walker Still Welcoming Donald Trump to Wisconsin to Raise Campaign Cash Donald Trump has been announced as the special guest at a Scott Walker fundraising event in Southeastern Wisconsin on the evening of June 13. [One Wisconsin Now, 06/09/2017]
Greitens signs bill scrapping union requirements with Wisconsin governor looking on Gov. Eric Greitens on Tuesday signed legislation banning local governments from giving preferential treatment to union contractors on public construction projects. And sharing the stage with him when he signed it was Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker. Walker, who was in St. Louis for a fundraiser as chairman of the Republican Governors Association, rose to national […] [Kansas City Star, 05/30/2017]
MillerCoors Loves Scott Walker Republican Gov. Scott Walker recently celebrated expansion plans with a couple of companies whose employees contributed more than $100,000 to his campaign. Last Friday, Walker was in Milwaukee where MillerCoors broke ground to expand its 10th Street Brewery. MillerCoors employees contributed about $72,000 between January 2010 and December 2016 to Walker’s three campaigns for governor. […] [Urban Milwaukee, 05/24/2017]
Walker’s commission bankrolled by Bradley Foundation When Gov. Scott Walker laid out a plan in his state budget address urging people to take steps to avoid welfare, it mirrored a platform of the Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation, which has pushed for greater personal responsibility and more stringent welfare requirements. Documents hacked from the Bradley Foundation’s computer server show the connection […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 05/17/2017]
St. Norbert survey reveals Wisconsin’s view of Trump, Walker, issues A new survey from St. Norbert College shows how the state feels about President Donald Trump, Gov. Scott Walker, and topics like climate change and the Steven Avery case. The Wisconsin Survey was conducted April 24-May 8, with 303 Wisconsin adult residents sampled via landline and cell phone. [WBAY-TV, 05/10/2017]
Why Aren’t Prominent Democrats Stepping Up To Challenge Walker For Governor? There’s been continued speculation on who might challenge Gov. Scott Walker in 2018. Walker has indicated that if he will run for a third term, he’ll announce this summer. Since the beginning of the year, a number of well-known Wisconsin Democrats decided not to run for governor in 2018 – dramatically thinning the field. They […] [WUWM-FM, 05/05/2017]
Campaigning with Jean Stothert in Omaha, Scott Walker stirs up union opposition Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker drew a few hundred people to a Monday rally with Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert — and a few hundred union members to protest outside the event. Walker, whose moves to restrict labor unions have made him a polarizing figure nationally, said there’s a clear distinction between Stothert and challenger Heath Mello. […] [Omaha World Herald, 04/26/2017]
Vinehout Still Mulling 2018 Run For Governor State Sen. Kathleen Vinehout, D-Alma, says she is still considering a bid to challenge Gov. Scott Walker in 2018. Vinehout responded to speculation Monday that Wisconsin Democrats aren’t running a candidate against Walker because they don’t think they can win against likely incumbent Walker. “I think that’s a lot of hype,” Vinehout told WPR. “I […] [WPR, 04/24/2017]
Democrats afraid to run against ‘bulletproof’ Scott Walker? This week, local political talk shows had to ask: Are Democrats afraid to run because they don’t think Walker can be beat? After all, Wisconsin is enjoying low unemployment, Gov. Scott Walker is beloved by state Republicans and he should have no trouble collecting millions in campaign funds, guests on “UpFront with Mike Gousha” and […] [Capital Times, 04/23/2017]
Top Democrats aren’t stepping forward to challenge Gov. Walker in 2018 Scot Ross, executive director of One Wisconsin Now, believes there is more than enough time for Democratic candidates to establish their political identities. [WQOW-TV, 04/21/2017]
Scott Walker coming to Omaha to rally voters for Jean Stothert Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker will appear in Omaha next week to support Mayor Jean Stothert. Walker is expected to appear Monday at a number of events, including a rally, said Dave Boomer, communications director of the Stothert campaign. The time and place have yet to be determined; Boomer said the campaign was working on those […] [Omaha World Herald, 04/19/2017]
Gov. Scott Walker: ‘Why wouldn’t I run’ for third term In front of a live audience at Country Springs Hotel in Pewaukee Wednesday night for Insight 2017, Gov. Scott Walker was asked whether he would run for a third term as governor. “Why wouldn’t I run?” he said after explaining how pleased he was with the state of Wisconsin’s economy and number of people employed […] [WTMJ-TV, 04/19/2017]
Security concerns prompt cancellation of governor’s annual Easter egg hunt An Easter egg hunt held each spring at the Governor’s Mansion has been canceled because of threats to the security of Gov. Scott Walker and the public, according to an email sent Thursday afternoon from first lady Tonette Walker. The hunt was scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday at the Walkers’ Maple Bluff home but was […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 04/13/2017]
Scott Walker Is a Top Target for Democrats. So Why Can’t They Find Someone to Run Against Him? Scott Walker presents a big, ripe political target for Democrats. So why haven’t they been able to come up with a serious challenger to run against him? Wisconsin’s Republican governor has angered Democrats and many independents with his conservative stances on issues such as abortion, voting rights and, most of all, union-busting. Walker’s approval ratings […] [Governing, 04/12/2017]
Norman gets endorsement from Scott Walker in Congress race Congressional candidate Ralph Norman has won the endorsement of former presidential candidate and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker. “Ralph Norman knows how important it is to stand with taxpayers against the big government special interests, and his record in both the private sector and the state legislature prove it,” Walker said in a statement. [The Buzz, 04/10/2017]
Election prospects brighten for incumbents Scott Walker and Tammy Baldwin There will be two big names on the Wisconsin ballot next year, and a few months ago both looked exceedingly vulnerable. The state’s GOP governor, Scott Walker, was dogged by poor approval ratings throughout 2015 and 2016. [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 04/09/2017]
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker to donors on re-election bid: ‘I’m ready.’ In the call with several dozen top donors and fundraisers — the first in a series — the GOP governor stopped short of committing to running for a third term, according to sources who were on the line. But Walker gave his strongest signal yet that he wants to run and wants to have the […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 03/30/2017]
Scott Walker’s re-election prospects in 2018 may have just improved A potential Democratic challenger Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker in 2018 has dropped out of contention. Former Wisconsin state Sen. Tim Cullen told reporters in Madison, Wis., on Wednesday that he doesn’t believe he can keep pace with Walker’s fundraising effort. Walker raised $35 million in 2014 and Cullen said he expects the incumbent to get […] [Washington Examiner, 03/29/2017]
Ahead of likely 2018 re-election bid, Scott Walker’s approval rating at 45 percent The governor’s approval rating is now 45 percent, according to a Marquette University Law School poll released Wednesday. That’s up slightly from the last poll, released in October 2016, when 42 percent of voters said they approved of Walker’s job performance. Since September, Walker’s approval rating has hovered in the low 40s. The new numbers […] [Capital Times, 03/22/2017]
Candidate Scott Walker: The Neverending Story The November 2018 election is more than 600 days away, but for Scott Walker political campaigning is a never-ending story. [One Wisconsin Now, 03/15/2017]
Wisconsin rural voters will be key again in 2018 when Scott Walker, Tammy Baldwin run If there’s one brutal lesson for Democrats in their mounting Wisconsin losses, it’s that a shrinking geographic base invites disaster. It’s a pattern the party can’t afford to repeat in 2018, when GOP Gov. Scott Walker and U.S. Senate Democrat Tammy Baldwin are both up for re-election. “The key politically to winning back governor is […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 03/02/2017]
Scott Walker: Trump has work to do to keep the Wisconsin voters who helped him to the White House “We need to earn those votes every single time. I don’t think any vote, particularly those votes are in no way a given,” Walker, a Republican, told CNBC’s “Power Lunch” on Wednesday. “They were looking for somebody to shake things up. We did it in Wisconsin. To keep earning their vote, Donald Trump as president […] [CNBC, 03/01/2017]
Walker’s Christian cruise cancelled You may have to settle for the Dells this year. That’s because Gov. Scott Walker’s Christian cruise to Alaska won’t be setting sail this summer, after all. Officials confirmed they have canceled the “inspirational” cruise that Walker and first lady Tonette Walker were planning to lead on Aug. 12-19. The Walkers were to be accompanied […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 02/22/2017]
Gov. Walker’s campaign lobbies for Gov. Walker’s budget Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker’s campaign launched an effort on Monday to encourage voters to contact their lawmakers in support of his budget proposal. Walker continues to signal his plans to seek re-election in 2018, but has said he will not make an official announcement until after the budget process is complete. The digital push includes […] [Capital Times, 02/21/2017]
Gov. Walker using budget to advance re-election strategy Gov. Scott Walker’s latest budget proposal has left little doubt that he plans to run for re-election in 2018 and may telegraph his strategy for winning a third term. Walker has said he won’t announce a decision until after the budget wraps up this summer. But after his approval rating tanked during a short-lived presidential […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 02/12/2017]
Walker says he wouldn’t run for re-election had Clinton won Walker made his comment in an interview Friday on MSNBC. Walker has not said whether he will run for a third term in 2018, but he’s raising money and taking steps as if he is going to do it. Walker says in the interview “If Hillary Clinton was president of the United States right now, […] [Washington Times, 01/30/2017]
Scott Walker huddles with GOP donors at NFC game Walker, his wife, Tonette, and their sons, Matt and Alex, all traveled to the game and drew notice from liberal critics such as the group One Wisconsin Now. [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 01/24/2017]
Walker sold donor list to pay debt In clearing more than $1 million in campaign debt over the past year, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker got the majority of the money by selling his donor list to other candidates… In 2016, Walker brought in more than $823,000 by selling his donor list to other GOP candidates such as U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz of […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 01/17/2017]
Scott Walker pays off presidential campaign debt, clearing path for likely re-election bid Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker has paid off the last of his presidential campaign debt, clearing the way for a likely re-election bid next year. Walker ended his campaign in September 2015 about $1.2 million in the red. He steadily chipped away at it to reach his goal of paying down the debt by the end […] [Capital Times, 01/13/2017]
Scott Walker sees bright future ahead after difficult 2 years At a recent state economic summit, Gov. Scott Walker slipped on a pair of sunglasses and quoted the 1980s tune “The Future’s So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades”… Walker points to the state’s 4.1 percent unemployment rate — the lowest since January 2001 — and record-high employment levels as positive signs. He has shifted gears […] [Racine Journal Times, 01/02/2017]
Scott Walker ties himself to the Federalist Society “The conservatives have one goal: Attaining power in the courts to actively rewrite the laws to fit their corporate and radical social agendas.” [Wisconsin State Journal, 12/18/2016]
Career Politician Scott Walker, Addressing State Big Biz Lobby Before Holding Fundraiser for Himself, Reports ‘Interest’ in Re-Election Bid The least surprising news of 2017 is Scott Walker – who has spent nearly all of his adult life running for office – will be running for political office, again. [One Wisconsin Now, 12/15/2016]
Scott Walker Celebrates Season of Giving … With Fundraiser for Himself There’s no more appropriate way for a career politician like Scott Walker to celebrate the ‘season of giving’ than holding a fundraiser for himself. [One Wisconsin Now, 12/15/2016]
Wisconsin Comrades Set to Welcome Donald Trump, Whitewash Russian Attempts to Influence Elections Top Wisconsin Republicans have announced they will be standing with Donald Trump on stage this evening as he visits Wisconsin. [One Wisconsin Now, 12/13/2016]
Scott Walker: Hillary Clinton’s comments are ‘inflaming’ racial tension in Milwaukee In 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]
Wisconsin Republicans Stay Silent as Trump Touts Violence Donald Trump has set a new low with his outrageously irresponsible and dangerous comments inciting violence. [One Wisconsin Now, 08/10/2016]
Trump Visit Has WISGOP Crying Crocodile Tears for Sacred Cow Paul Ryan ‘Given GOP Record In WI Against Women, Minorities, LGBTQ, Poor People, It’s Not What Trump Has Said, It’s What He Won’t Say That Has WISGOP in Arms’ [One Wisconsin Now, 08/05/2016]
Trump faces divided party in Midwestern battlegrounds Donald Trump faced an all-too-clear sign of GOP divisions Friday in Midwestern battlegrounds, embraced by party leaders in one state but ignored in another. He unleashed a scathing attack on Hillary Clinton’s character as he tried to overcome deepening concerns about his presidential candidacy… House Speaker Paul Ryan cited a scheduling conflict, while Wisconsin Gov. […] [Chicago Tribune, 08/05/2016]
Walker, Ryan and Johnson all skipping Trump campaign stop Wisconsin’s three highest-ranking Republicans won’t be joining their party’s presidential nominee, Donald Trump, when he campaigns in the state Friday. Gov. Scott Walker on Wednesday joined with House Speaker Paul Ryan and U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson in announcing he would be skipping the Trump rally in Green Bay… Walker will be touring northern Wisconsin on […] [WMTV-TV, 08/04/2016]
Donald Trump to hold rally in Green Bay on Friday A rising chorus of Republican lawmakers and veterans groups hastened to disavow Donald Trump’s repeated criticism of a bereaved military family Monday, but the GOP presidential nominee refused to back down. He complained anew that he had been “viciously attacked” by the parents of a Muslim U.S. Army captain who was killed in Iraq. Coming […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 08/01/2016]
Scott Walker defers question on plagiarism in Melania Trump speech Gov. Scott Walker deferred to the Trump campaign a question Tuesday about evidence of plagiarism in Melania Trump’s Republican National Convention speech — an issue that surfaced with his 2014 opponent’s campaign. “She’s not the candidate, so I’ll give her deference and let them explain staff or otherwise,” Walker said. “Donald Trump is the candidate, […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 07/20/2016]
#Thanks, Obama! Failed Republican presidential candidate and current Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker has refused to condemn documented plagiarism by the Donald Trump campaign. [One Wisconsin Now, 07/19/2016]
Walker won’t run for president again as sitting governor Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker said Monday that he won’t run for president again as a sitting governor and that he intends to use his prime-time speech at the Republican National Convention this week to argue that “America deserves better” than Hillary Clinton. “The fears and concerns that people have about Hillary Clinton, I think, are […] [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 07/18/2016]
As Scott Walker reaches 50 listening sessions, critics continue to question invite-only policy Gov. Scott Walker’s office has asked legislators, lobbyists, state agency heads and local economic development agencies to help select attendees for the governor’s invite-only listening sessions throughout the state, records show. The records provided to the Cap Times offer insight into the selection process for participants in the governor’s marquee effort to reacquaint himself with […] [Capital Times, 07/15/2016]
Walker approval rating 38 percent in latest Marquette poll Gov. Scott Walker’s approval rating remains below 40 percent… The Marquette Law School Poll was conducted Thursday through Sunday, sampling 801 registered Wisconsin voters. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.1 points. [WEAU-TV, 07/13/2016]
Wisconsin Republicans to honor Walker at convention "It sure is 'Midwest nice' of Gov. Walker to give Republicans a place to drown their sorrows over Donald Trump being their presidential nominee." [Associated Press, 07/12/2016]
Walker says he’ll speak at Republican National Convention Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker says he’ll speak at the Republican National Convention… Walker acknowledged he’s now rejecting the idea that Donald Trump could be replaced as the nominee. Walker said two weeks ago that he believed delegates should be free to vote their consciences. But he told WKOW a vote for anyone other than Trump […] [WMTV-TV, 07/05/2016]
Leading WI GOPers split with Ryan, Walker over convention Two top Wisconsin Republicans with significant roles in this month’s GOP national convention are splitting with their state’s highest profile politicians, House Speaker Paul Ryan and Gov. Scott Walker, in an internal fight over how delegates should vote at the gathering… The Wisconsin GOP activists, Steve King and Mary Buestrin, wrote a letter Friday calling […] [Business Insider, 07/01/2016]
Would Trump University Have Gotten Less Scrutiny in Wisconsin Under Law Change Proposed by Gov. Walker After Taking $10,000 Trump Contribution? Donald Trump gives Scott Walker the maximum contribution for his re-election campaign, Scott Walker turns around and seeks to make oversight of the for-profit college racket more difficult. [One Wisconsin Now, 06/09/2016]
Scott Walker: Trump donation was not accompanied by any Trump U conversations The liberal group One Wisconsin Now raised questions about the timing of that proposal in relation to the ongoing Trump University investigation and Trump's donation to Walker. [Capital Times, 06/08/2016]
Scott Walker sought changes to Wisconsin Idea, emails show after judge orders release of records Records released Friday by Gov. Scott Walker’s office in response to a judge’s order make clear he sought controversial changes in 2015 to the University of Wisconsin System’s mission statement, known as the Wisconsin Idea. The office made public 82 pages of records late Friday after Dane County Judge Amy Smith said Walker’s office erroneously […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 05/28/2016]
Racial disparities seen in providing free IDs to vote, data show Among Wisconsinites who lack ID cards and other documents proving their identity, race is a key factor in who requests free IDs to vote and whose requests are approved, according to data cited Monday in a court trial of a challenge to the state’s voter ID requirement… On Monday, the plaintiffs highlighted DMV data showing […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 05/24/2016]
Wisconsin among 11 states suing over Obama administration’s mandate on gender identity Wisconsin is joining 10 other states in a federal lawsuit to challenge President Barack Obama’s mandate requiring all public K-12 and postsecondary schools to allow students to use locker rooms and restrooms based on their “gender identity.” Wisconsin Attorney General Brad Schimel, backed by Gov. Scott Walker, is leading the state’s entry into the lawsuit, […] [Milwaukee Business Journal, 05/23/2016]
DMV official testifies in voter ID trial Some voters might not have been able to cast ballots this fall if not for a new state rule put in place on the eve of a trial over Wisconsin’s voter ID law, the official responsible for issuing ID cards testified Monday. Her testimony came as the federal judge hearing the trial expressed serious concern […] [Appleton Post-Crescent, 05/23/2016]
Walker releases names of potential Prosser replacements More than half of the applicants vying to replace retiring Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice David Prosser already owe their jobs to Gov. Scott Walker – and now he could tap one of them for the state’s highest court… Walker expects to appoint a replacement by the time Prosser retires on July 31. It will be […] [WISN-TV, 05/20/2016]
Polluter penalties drop 78% Financial penalties for violations of Wisconsin environmental laws fell sharply in 2015 to their lowest level in at least a decade. Data released by a conservation organization show forfeitures paid by individuals and companies for violating state law totaled $306,834 last year. That’s down 78% from nearly $1.4 million paid out in 2014. It’s also […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 05/19/2016]
Wisconsin Supreme Court deals Walker loss on education case A divided Wisconsin Supreme Court dealt Gov. Scott Walker a defeat on Wednesday, upholding a ruling that preserves the independence of the state’s elected education secretary and denies the governor veto power he sought over the office… The state constitution “requires the Legislature to keep the supervision of public instruction in the hands of officers […] [Chicago Tribune, 05/18/2016]
Lawmaker Breaks GOP Silence On Trump At Wis. GOP Convention 10:35 a.m. Gov. Scott Walker says Republicans need to “focus like a laser beam” on helping Sen. Ron Johnson win re-election, but he isn’t making the same call to action for Donald Trump. Walker spoke for more than 30 minutes at the Wisconsin Republican Party convention Saturday and didn’t mention the presumptive presidential nominee Trump […] [WCCO-TV, 05/14/2016]
Scott Walker news suppressed by Facebook Gov. Scott Walker was one of several conservative names appearing in popular news stories that were kept from being promoted on Facebook by the social media website’s own employees tasked with telling users which news was trending, according to a Gizmodo article released this week citing unnamed sources. According to a former employee who worked […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 05/10/2016]
Walker approves rule implementing unemployment drug tests Gov. Scott Walker has approved a rule implementing drug screening requirements for unemployment benefits. The rule implements provisions in the state budget. Under the rule, those who fail an employer drug test or refuse to take one can be denied unemployment benefits. Those who fail would get taxpayer-funded treatment. Walker announced the new rule Wednesday, […] [WMTV-TV, 05/04/2016]
TPM’s Elected Official Trump Endorsement Scorecard Donald Trump is the last man standing to be the Republican presidential nominee after Tuesday’s Indiana primary, after beating out more than a dozen other contenders throughout the campaign. Here’s a roundup of where elected GOP officials stand on their party’s presumptive nominee… Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker had previously said he would support the nominee […] [Talking Points Memo, 05/04/2016]
Scott Walker’s HR agency slammed civil service changes in private memo The personnel agency in Gov. Scott Walker’s administration privately blasted changes to the state’s civil service days after they were proposed, telling his office the overhaul would slow hiring, turn away qualified job applicants and trigger more lawsuits against the state, public records show. Documents obtained under the state’s open records law by the Wisconsin […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 05/02/2016]
Run on a Ticket With Donald Trump? No, Thanks, Many Republicans Say “Scott Walker has a visceral negative reaction to Trump’s character,” said Ed Goeas, a longtime adviser to the Wisconsin governor. [New York Times, 04/30/2016]
Prosecutors: Walker campaign, group ‘one and the same’ Gov. Scott Walker’s campaign and a supposedly independent conservative group were “one and the same,” prosecutors told the U.S. Supreme Court in a filing this week seeking to reopen a probe of the governor’s campaign that state courts shut down. The Wisconsin Supreme Court last year halted the investigation in a ruling that concluded candidates […] [Appleton Post-Crescent, 04/29/2016]
Scott Walker signs wetlands bill Gov. Scott Walker signed wide-ranging legislation on Tuesday that makes changes in regulations of wetlands and navigable waters that supporters say will benefit waterfront property owners. Walker signed Senate Bill 459, which designates areas as specialized wetlands, allowing property owners to conduct more building activity in these areas. The law will also allow dredging in […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 04/26/2016]
Meet the new Scott Walker spokesman, same as the old spokesman Gov. Scott Walker named a familiar new spokesman for his office Monday. Tom Evenson, who has previously served as Walker’s official spokesman, his campaign spokesman and most recently as communications director at the Department of Financial Institutions, is returning to Walker’s office as deputy communications director and press secretary. Evenson was previously Walker’s official spokesman […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 04/18/2016]
Scott Walker won’t rule out Donald Trump’s talk of him as vice president Gov. Scott Walker was “shocked” that Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump was favorably discussing the possibility of Walker as his running mate.In an interview published Monday, USA Today asked Trump about possible vice presidential running mates… “I like Walker actually in a lot of ways,” Trump told the newspaper. “I hit him very hard. … […] [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 04/12/2016]
Court Strikes Down Scott Walker’s Right-To-Work Law As Unconstitutional Wisconsin’s right-to-work law, championed by Republican Gov. Scott Walker as he was mounting his run for president, was struck down Friday as violating the state constitution…“We are confident Wisconsin’s freedom-to-work law is constitutional and will ultimately be upheld,” Walker wrote on Twitter. Three unions filed the lawsuit last year shortly after Walker signed the bill […] [Associated Press, 04/06/2016]
Gov. Walker: Endorser of Ted Cruz, Recipient of Donald Trump Donations, Lends His List to John Kasich for Fundraising Effort Scott Walker has managed to be on all sides of a three-candidate race for the Republican presidential nomination. [One Wisconsin Now, 04/05/2016]
Cruz, Walker Embrace As Wisconsin Crowd Goes Silent for Palin Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, appearing with Cruz on stage for the first time since announcing his endorsement on Tuesday, embraced the Texas senator at the GOP’s Milwaukee County Fish Fry. Cruz now holds a double-digit lead over Trump in Wisconsin ahead of the state’s primary on Tuesday.“My reasons are all about who I’m for, not […] [NBC News, 04/02/2016]
One Wisconsin Now: Follow the money when it comes to Walker Walker failed to mention the most obvious reason for his support - Cruz is the only candidate still in the race who actively solicited money to help retire his massive campaign debt, says One Wisconsin Now. [Lakeland Times, 04/01/2016]
Follow the Money: Gov. Walker Endorses Ted Cruz in Republican Presidential Race Ted Cruz is the only candidate still in the race who actively solicited money to help retire his massive campaign debt. [One Wisconsin Now, 03/29/2016]
Scott Walker endorses Ted Cruz “After eight years of the failed Obama-Clinton Administration, Americans are looking for real leadership and a new direction. Ted Cruz is a principled constitutional conservative who understands that power belongs to the states — and to the people — and not bureaucrats in Washington,” Walker said in a statement released as he announced his decision […] [Politico, 03/29/2016]
($)10,000 Reasons Gov. Walker Isn’t Going After Trump Gov. Walker is the only state Republican to have received campaign contributions from Trump, a maximum $10,000 contribution, on June 23, 2014. [One Wisconsin Now, 03/28/2016]
Scott Walker #Unintimidated, Except With Trump When it comes to Donald Trump, you’ve got a better chance of seeing a wall along the Canadian border than Scott Walker criticizing Donald Trump by name. [One Wisconsin Now, 03/25/2016]
Scott Walker: Vice president talk ‘premature’ Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker said he’s not interested in a potential Cabinet post if a Republican is elected president, but he wouldn’t rule out a possible run for the vice presidency. Walker, in Green Bay on Tuesday, was quick to say no when asked if he’d be interested in a Cabinet post. But he was […] [Green Bay Press-Gazette, 03/22/2016]
Scott Walker talks endorsement — Cruz or Kasich Gov. Scott Walker said Tuesday he is considering endorsing Texas Sen. Ted Cruz or Ohio Gov. John Kasich next week, expressing “high admiration” for both. Walker said he would consider whether his endorsement would make a difference in the state’s April 5 presidential primary and won’t appear with any of the Republican candidates if he […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 03/22/2016]
Landscape shifts as Wisconsin primary nears "I think that's an interesting question, what does Walker today say about this?" said Scot Ross, executive director of the liberal group One Wisconsin Now. [Appleton Post-Crescent, 03/16/2016]
Special treatment or limited access: State policies spell out who can talk to the press While the policy has been in place since at least 2008, the agency’s monthly and quarterly employment data came under intense scrutiny after Gov. Scott Walker promised to add 250,000 private sector jobs during his first term, prompting the agency exert greater control over shaping the message around those numbers. [La Crosse Tribune, 03/15/2016]
Scott Walker calls for state agencies to track open records requests, speed up response times In advance of Sunshine Week, Gov. Scott Walker is ordering his administration to improve its handling of public records requests, speed up response times and provide mandatory records training for all state workers. The move comes months after he helped draft legislation, later withdrawn, to severely restrict the kind of information the public can use […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 03/12/2016]
Rebecca Bradley apologizes for student columns calling AIDS patients ‘degenerates’ and gays ‘queers’ A spokeswoman for Gov. Scott Walker, who appointed Bradley to three judgeships in as many years — including as Supreme Court justice last fall — said Monday that “neither the Governor nor our office was aware of the columns.” The spokeswoman did not immediately respond to whether Walker would have appointed Bradley had he known. […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 03/08/2016]
Walker, Ryan don’t join Mitt Romney in bashing Trump Gov. Scott Walker told a gathering at the Conservative Political Action Conference here Thursday that no matter how upset they may be about what is going on in the 2016 presidential race, they shouldn’t give up on politics, and should be “happy warriors.” That was about the closest Walker came Thursday to saying anything about […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 03/02/2016]
Walker signs bill allowing towns in Dane County to opt out of zoning laws Walker 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]
Walker signs bills rolling back protections for state water supply, waterways The governor signed a bill allowing farmers, food processors, frac sand mine operators and other operators of high-capacity wells to replace them without a state review of how the wells are affecting groundwater, lakes and streams. The law requires flow meters on wells and mandates study of certain areas affected by high-capacity wells. It waives […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 03/01/2016]
Wisconsin Republicans divided over how to respond to Donald Trump Meanwhile, Gov. Scott Walker made clear that he would prefer Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida or Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas over the New York real estate mogul and reality TV celebrity. But the former presidential candidate steered clear of joining the emerging “#nevertrump” movement fanned by conservative activists on social media. “I signed a […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 03/01/2016]
Wisconsin uses Affordable Care Act but rejects funding for it Wisconsin’s decision last week to challenge a fee imposed by the Affordable Care Act set up a comparison not lost on advocates who support the law.The fee has cost the state about $23 million so far. In contrast, Gov. Scott Walker and the Legislature’s opposition to the law is projected to cost $678.6 million in […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 02/28/2016]
Walker Act 10 reduces union membership, power Mr. Walker led a push five years ago to cut collective bargaining rights for most public sector workers, saying he needed to solve a state budget gap. Since then, union membership has dropped precipitously. Long a labor stronghold, the state has lost tens of thousands of union members, leaving Wisconsin with a smaller percentage of […] [New York Times, 02/27/2016]
Scott Walker was always the principal target’ of criminal probe Gov. Scott Walker “was always the principal target” of a now-halted criminal investigation into his recall campaign, the state’s top ethics administrator wrote in a June 2014 email released Friday. The email from Government Accountability Board Ethics Division Administrator Jonathan Becker was written within minutes of special prosecutor Francis Schmitz issuing a statement on June […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 02/26/2016]
Walker policies cited as factor in increase rise of EPA polluted water listings in Wisconsin The proposed EPA Impaired Waters List for 2016 in Wisconsin contains 1,694 listings, more than double the 761 approved for the list in 2004.The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has recommended an additional 209 waterways for the 2016 list … Critics of Gov. Scott Walker blame the increased pollution in many agricultural counties like […] [Green Bay Press-Gazette, 02/24/2016]
Voter ID law prevented WWII armed services vet from voting A state Supreme Court justice on Tuesday urged Gov. Scott Walker to allow people to use veterans ID cards to vote after her uncle who fought at Iwo Jima was unable to cast a ballot in last week’s primary election. “It makes no sense to me that this proud patriot with a veterans card displaying […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 02/23/2016]
Taxpayer tab for Walker presidential run security rises Taxpayers cut nine checks for five figures — including one for more than $93,000 — to members of Gov. Scott Walker’s security team last year after a federal agency found the state had wrongly withheld overtime pay from them. In all, taxpayers had to pay more than $577,000 to nine current and former members of […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 02/22/2016]
Walker picks campaign donor for University of Wisconsin Board of Regents A Milwaukee lawyer just named to the University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents by Gov. Scott Walker has been a frequent contributor to his campaign fund, donating $9,639.68 since 2010. Tracey Klein, a shareholder at Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren, made seven contributions to Walker totaling $7,439.68 in the months running up to his 2014 […] [Capital Times, 02/20/2016]
Walker halts state work on clean power plan Citing last week’s decision by the U.S. Supreme Court, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker on Monday ordered state agencies not to do any work to prepare for federal climate change regulations that would require Wisconsin utilities to cut carbon emissions from power plants. His executive order follows a decision last week by the Supreme Court to […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 02/15/2016]
Walker appointees at Department of Natural Resources considered disciplining employee for releasing public records Political appointees of the Department of Natural Resources discussed disciplining an employee after she provided public records to a Sheboygan County citizens group fighting plans by the Kohler Co. for a golf course on the shore of Lake Michigan, emails show. In the view of at least one top official then serving at the DNR, […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 02/13/2016]
Walker signs overhaul of state civil service law Gov. Scott Walker signed legislation Friday overhauling the state’s century-old system of merit hiring and firing, gaining the first legislative priority he set after calling off his presidential bid last year. Inking the legislation at the offices of ManpowerGroup, Walker said the rewrite of the state’s civil service law would help the state keep the […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 02/12/2016]
Walker was notified in 2012 of Lincoln Hills crisis A Racine County judge warned Gov. Scott Walker’s office in 2012 of severe safety issues at the state’s youth prison, and later the county stopped sending its juvenile offenders to the Irma facility that is now the subject of a criminal investigation. The letter, sent to Walker in February 2012, appears at odds with Walker’s […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 02/12/2016]
Walker denies prior knowledge of Lincoln Hill youth prison abuses as Corrections Secretary resigns amid investigation Wisconsin Department of Corrections Secretary Ed Wall has resigned amid an investigation into abuse allegations at the state’s youth prison, the governor’s office said Friday as news emerged that the FBI had taken over the inquiry. Gov. Scott Walker’s staff said Wall submitted his letter of resignation on Feb. 5. He will be replaced by […] [Associated Press, 02/12/2016]
5 years after Walker’s Act 10 union membership falls in Wisconsin In the five years since Act 10 was signed by Gov. Scott Walker, union membership in Wisconsin has plummeted. In 2015, the number of union members fell well below the national average for the first time since lawmakers passed measures that all but eliminated collective bargaining for public workers. The percentage of Wisconsin public and […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 02/11/2016]
Walker, GOP attack local control Since 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]
Walker signs bill legalizing concealed carry of knives at event sponsored by NRA affiliated group Gov. Scott Walker has signed a bill legalizing concealed switchblades and knives. The governor signed the measure Saturday at the annual National Rifle Association and Wisconsin FORCE convention in Weston. Wisconsin FORCE, or Firearm Owners, Ranges, Clubs and Educators, is an NRA-chartered association that advocates for the right to bear arms. [Chicago Tribune, 02/08/2016]
Major Walker donor seeks special treatment from state environmental protection agency Business executive Richard E. Uihlein has continued to press his case to move a massive floating bog away from his property on the Chippewa Flowage in a meeting involving state, federal and business officials to review the controversial proposal. At a Jan. 28 meeting in Hayward, representatives of Uihlein presented a new option designed to […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 02/05/2016]
Walker expects it will take all of 2016 to pay off debt from 71 day presidential run Gov. Scott Walker says he plans to pay off his presidential campaign debt by the end of the year. Federal reports show Walker’s campaign owed $1.2 million at the end of 2015. The governor told reporters following a speech to the Wisconsin Counties Association at a Madison hotel on Wednesday that he believes his campaign […] [Associated Press, 02/03/2016]
Walker’s presidential exit still felt ”One is Trump got into the race and he sucked the air out of Scott Walker, and two, his consultants convinced him they were the front-runner and they were going to overbuild his campaign.” While campaign missteps damaged Walker, Trump was the key external factor that drove him from the race. [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 01/31/2016]
On the Capitol: Conservative group makes 6 figure ad buy for Supreme Court race Walker formed a nonprofit political organization called Our American Revival that raised $6.21 million in the first half of the year. His political advisers also launched their own Super PAC, Unintimidated PAC, which raised $20 million in the second quarter of the year. [Wisconsin State Journal, 01/31/2016]
Scott Walker job approval level still at 38 percent 4 months after presidential run And only 36 percent say they would like Walker to run for a third term in 2018, one point higher than a poll in late September. [Racine Journal Times, 01/29/2016]
Scott Walker still owes $1 million for presidential campaign Walker’s political operations have reimbursed state taxpayers $260,000 to cover hotel stays, airfare and other travel expenses last year for his security team. But in the future, taxpayers will have to pay such costs when state troopers accompany Walker on political trips, said Jim Dick, a spokesman for the state Department of Administration. Walker decided […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 01/29/2016]
Union membership in Wisconsin tumbles below national average Since Walker and Republican lawmakers successfully passed measures in 2011 that rolled back the power of most public sector unions, the number of members has dropped sharply…As of February 2015, a WEAC official told the State Journal the union represented about 40,000 public school employees — down more than 50 percent from the union’s 98,000-member […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 01/29/2016]
Scott Walker’s Gubernatorial Campaign Spent Big Money While He Ran for President Did Reckless Spending Lead Him to Desperate Move to Tap State Campaign Funds to Pay Bills for Federal Political Ambitions? [One Wisconsin Now, 01/27/2016]
During presidential bid, Scott Walker also spent on state campaign "A career politician like Scott Walker knows better than this, you amass a war chest three years out from the campaign instead of draining it," he said. [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 01/26/2016]
Scott Walker touts state’s recovery as he seeks a political rebound Scott Walker on Tuesday touted Wisconsin’s comeback from the Great Recession even as the Republican governor seeks his own recovery from an unsuccessful presidential run last year. “There are more people working in Wisconsin than at nearly any other point in our history; state finances are stable; our school students are doing well overall; college […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 01/19/2016]
Walker signs split of state’s GAB \| Campaign finance measure also approved Gov. Scott Walker privately signed a measure Wednesday loosening the state’s campaign finance laws and eliminating the state elections and ethics agency that investigated his campaign for teaming up with conservative groups. [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 12/16/2015]
Worker used as an example of problems not a civil servant One of the state employees that Gov. Scott Walker and some lawmakers used to argue for broad changes to the state’s civil service system was never a civil servant, a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel review has found. In arguing for a proposed overhaul of the century-old system of merit hiring and firing, Walker and some GOP […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 12/14/2015]
How the GOP can bring down Trump Sound farfetched? Trump has now led in New Hampshire nearly twice as long as Scott Walker was a presidential candidate. A recent Fox News poll found him leading in South Carolina with 30 percent of the vote, double the share going to the runner-up. It also showed him climbing higher rather than sinking after his […] [Washington Examiner, 12/12/2015]
Questions, answers about text messages, visitor logs and other Wisconsin open records issues Gov. Scott Walker on Monday refuted reports that his administration is doing anything questionable when it comes to Wisconsin ‘s open records law. But those reports brought to light a change made this summer by the state’s Public Records Board that could shield communications like public officials’ text messages and Facebook messages from being made […] [Capital Times, 12/10/2015]
Morning briefing: Scott Walker among Republicans against Trump’s idea to ban Muslims Walker among Republicans against Trump’s idea to ban Muslims: The Associated Press reports: “Gov. Scott Walker joins a growing number of Republicans publicly opposing presidential candidate Donald Trump’s call to ban Muslims from entering the United States. Walker, who abandoned his own presidential campaign in September, was in Chippewa Falls Tuesday where he told WQOW-TV […] [Capital Times, 12/09/2015]
Scott Walker says he saves all of his state business-related text messages Gov. Scott Walker told reporters Monday he forwards all text messages related to state business to his state email account and that his administration complies with the law in handling records. “As you all know in the past four or five years I’ve been in office we’ve gotten tens of thousands of open records requests […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 12/08/2015]
Ex-DNR officials complain about enforcement under Walker The DNR has come under fire from Democrats and environmentalists under Gov. Scott Walker. Officials have said they are enforcing regulations but also trying to reduce unnecessary costs and red tape by an agency that is traditionally one of the most controversial in state government. The letters also raised questions over whether the DNR is […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 12/07/2015]
Paris climate debate reflected in Wisconsin divisions The conflicts now playing out on a world stage are also evident in Wisconsin, where the Republican-controlled state government is at odds with public sentiment on climate change. At the same time, industry leaders here are divided, as some businesses see opportunities in curbing carbon emissions while others fear costly new regulations… Gov. Scott Walker […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 12/05/2015]
State’s handling of workers caught in workplace sex doesn’t match Scott Walker’s account In making his case to Republican lawmakers this fall that the state’s civil service system needed to be overhauled, Gov. Scott Walker cited the case of two state workers who he said couldn’t be fired even though they had been caught having sex in their office. But records released Friday show no efforts were made […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 12/05/2015]
Wisconsin Supreme Court won’t restart John Doe probe of Scott Walker recall campaign The state Supreme Court has denied a special prosecutor’s request to reopen an investigation into Gov. Scott Walker’s recall campaign, a decision the prosecutor says he plans to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court if he has the money and personnel to do so. However, the state high court also ruled that special prosecutor Francis […] [WiscNews, 12/03/2015]
Falk pushes health care signups Nelson said engaging Wisconsinites at the local level to ensure they get health care before Jan. 31 is important because Wisconsin is one of 19 states that did not expand Medicaid. Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker rejected the expansion in 2013, instead implementing a plan to move 77,000 state residents off BadgerCare, the state’s Medicaid program, […] [Appleton Post-Crescent, 11/30/2015]
Calendar shows Scott Walker campaigned at length most days Gov. Walker was more concerned with campaigning for president than doing his job, and now 10,000 Wisconsin workers have already gotten layoff notices this year. [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 11/20/2015]
New poll: Scott Walker approval rating stays near low Gov. Scott Walker’s approval rating remains near its all-time low, with just 38 percent of respondents approving of his job performance in the new Marquette Law School Poll. Walker’s approval has fallen sharply since a year ago, when he was re-elected to a second term. April was the last time his approval rating was higher […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 11/20/2015]
Scott Walker, GOP lawmakers say Wisconsin won’t accept Syrian refugees Gov. Scott Walker pledged Monday that the state “will not accept new Syrian refugees” as he and Republican legislators joined a national chorus of mostly GOP leaders Monday calling on President Barack Obama to bar refugees from entering the United States. Immigration experts said governors can’t legally prohibit refugees from settling in their states but […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 11/17/2015]
Marco Rubio steps into Scott Walker’s presidential space in Wisconsin "It doesn't matter what generation Marco Rubio belongs to since his policies would be a disaster for critical Gen X and Millennial issues like student loan debt, higher wages and the rights of women to access health care," argued Scot Ross. [Capital Times, 11/12/2015]
Scott Walker supporters get a fundraising pitch — from Ben Carson Walker's campaign sent a fundraising solicitation for Carson's campaign via email, according to two separate email accounts maintained by the liberal group One Wisconsin Now. [Capital Times, 11/12/2015]
Scott Walker unlikely to endorse in GOP presidential primary but doesn’t rule out VP Gov. Scott Walker suggested Tuesday he won’t endorse one of the Republican presidential candidates that congregated here for the fourth GOP debate because he plans to work closely with the party’s national fundraising arm. Walker also didn’t disqualify himself from the possibility of becoming the vice presidential pick of the eventual nominee, but he said […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 11/11/2015]
Top GOP lawmakers might rebrand troubled jobs agency GOP Gov. Scott Walker and Republicans in the Legislature created WEDC in 2011, soon after they were swept into power. The new agency replaced the state Department of Commerce and was aimed at making economic development efforts more nimble and swift. It has been beset with problems. Troubled businesses have gotten taxpayer-funded incentives, and top […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 11/10/2015]
Failure at the faucet: Safe, clean drinking water eludes many Wisconsinite In 2011, the EPA identified 75 failings in the DNR’s enforcement of the state’s wastewater pollution permit program. Last month, after the residents’ petition was filed, the state agency announced it is working on two rule packages that will address 21 of the issues… “Our state has historically been, and continues to be, a leader […] [Capital Times, 11/08/2015]
Walker asks for help paying off $1 million in Presidential campaign debt Liberal group One Wisconsin Now director Scot Ross said Friday that instead of “shaking down donors” to pay off campaign debt, Walker should be focusing on Wisconsin’s economic problems. [Associated Press, 11/07/2015]
GOP lawmakers reverse course, balk at campaign donor reporting GOP state senators reversed course early Saturday and voted to let people make political donations without disclosing their employers as part of a broad overhaul of campaign finance laws.Earlier this week, Republicans senators said they were considering parting with their colleagues in the Assembly and keeping the requirement that donors list their employers. But they […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 11/07/2015]
Scott Walker asks supporters for help in paying off campaign debt The liberal group One Wisconsin Now slammed Walker for doing fundraising rather than focusing on economic problems in the state, such as the announcement this week that the Oscar Mayer plant in Madison would be shuttering, resulting in the loss of 1,000 jobs. [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 11/06/2015]
Scott Walker looking for $1,000 donations to pay back presidential campaign debt "Wisconsin families are being thrown into chaos and losing their jobs because Scott Walker was more focused on chasing his own presidential ambitions than doing his job as governor," said One Wisconsin Now executive director Scot Ross. [Capital Times, 11/06/2015]
Scott Walker says state board failed for 16 elections to audit voter list to remove felons To rally support for a GOP bill to break apart Wisconsin’s agency that oversees elections and ethics matters, Gov. Scott Walker is casting the Government Accountability Board as incompetent. At one point, he stormed Twitter using the #ReformGAB hashtag. In one Oct. 13, 2015 tweet, he claimed the agency wanted to consider Mickey Mouse and […] [PolitiFact, 11/06/2015]
Scott Walker campaign failed to report thousands of donor employers Gov. Scott Walker’s campaign failed to submit required employer information for nearly 6,000 contributors last year — by far the most of any committee and 27 times more than his Democratic opponent, according to the Government Accountability Board. But the agency hasn’t penalized the campaign or any other committee that failed to report missing information […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 11/02/2015]
Walker: Presidential Campaign Staffers ‘Occasionally’ Worked From Governor’s Mansion The liberal group One Wisconsin Now has received some of the records it requested about visitors to the governor's mansion. The logs from earlier this year show that people working on Walker's presidential bid were among those dropping by. [Wisconsin Public Radio, 10/30/2015]
Lawmakers inch closer to overhauling civil service system On the civil service bill, both sides in the GOP dispute are holding firm, meaning that the proposal is unlikely to pass the Senate until early next year. The bill would overhaul a system begun in 1905 that is aimed at ensuring tax dollars go for competent state employees rather than political hacks… Republican Gov. […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 10/27/2015]
Scott Walker signs bill limiting Doe probes as records are released Gov. Scott Walker signed legislation Friday curtailing the ability of district attorneys to use the John Doe law to launch investigations like the probes they have conducted of his campaign and his aides and associates. The GOP governor signed the measure a day after documents related to the secret probe of his campaign were released […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 10/23/2015]
Poll finds new high-water mark for voter dissatisfaction with direction of state Voter dissatisfaction with the direction of the state has reached its highest level since Gov. Scott Walker took office — 57 percent, compared with 36 percent who say it’s headed in the right direction — according to a new poll. Walker’s disapproval rating also hit its highest mark (60 percent) in the latest biannual survey […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 10/22/2015]
Lapdogs’ and ‘la-la land’: Wisconsin Assembly debates campaign finance laws, GAB overhaul A spokeswoman for Gov. Scott Walker said he supports overall reform of the GAB, and he “looks forward to working with lawmakers on a replacement for the GAB that is fair, transparent, and accountable to Wisconsinites.” [Capital Times, 10/21/2015]
Lawmakers approve bill ending John Doe probes of political crimes The proposal, which would reshape how cases of bribery of public officials and other political crimes are often investigated, was largely prompted by a probe into the Republican governor’s campaign and conservative groups that supported him. The state Supreme Court this summer shut down the investigation, which Walker and other Republicans have described as a […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 10/20/2015]
Group asks EPA to step up oversight of state DNR In a teleconference, the group said that budget cutting, retirements and actions by the Legislature have effectively curbed the power of the DNR. The EPA said it is monitoring the efforts of the DNR. “WDNR must continue to report to EPA on progress to address the remaining issues,” said EPA spokesman Pete Cassell. In a […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 10/20/2015]
Scott Walker calls ‘life of the mother’ abortion debate a ‘false choice.’ Is it? Walker maintains that he has consistently opposed abortion in all cases, even though he signed a 20-week abortion ban in July that includes an exception for the life of a mother. He had already changed his mind once on that exception. In the 1990s as a state legislator, he told anti-abortion group Pro-Life Wisconsin that […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 10/19/2015]
Spurning Wisconsin offer, Ashley Furniture Industries takes jobs and safety issues to N.C. “Pay-to-play certainly comes to my mind and I know I’m not alone,” said Scot Ross, executive director of the progressive group One Wisconsin Now. [Wisconsin Gazette, 10/17/2015]
Scott Walker faces tough task in repaying presidential campaign debts In addition, Walker cannot simply go to a handful of donors to write the six- and seven-figure checks that helped fuel his super PAC Unintimidated. His debt is in his official presidential campaign committee, which is limited to maximum donations of $2,700 per contributor under federal law. That means Walker could need thousands of contributors […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 10/16/2015]
Walker Won’t Juggle Governorship And White House Bid Again Scot Ross, head of the liberal group One Wisconsin Now, says Walker is late in admitting that the demands of the presidential campaign trail caused difficulties in the Badger State. [WSAU-FM, 10/15/2015]
Scott Walker wouldn’t serve as governor and run for president again Scot Ross, executive director of the liberal group One Wisconsin Now, said Walker was late in acknowledging what "Wisconsin knows all too well" — that the demands of the campaign had created difficulties for the state. [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 10/14/2015]
Scott Walker dismisses political concerns, appoints Rebecca Bradley to Supreme Court Gov. Scott Walker announced the appointment of state Appeals Court Judge Rebecca Bradley to the Wisconsin Supreme Court on Friday, bolstering the court’s conservative majority. It’s the third judicial appointment Walker has given Bradley in as many years… Democrats have criticized Walker’s decision to appoint an announced candidate so close to the election, but Walker […] [Capital Times, 10/09/2015]
Gov. Scott Walker Previews More Partisanship on State High Court With Plot to Appoint Political Crony to Open Judicial Seat Gov. Scott Walker appears set to add to his record of cronyism, corruption and incompetence with the appointment of his political crony, Rebecca Bradley, to yet another judicial post, time a seat on the state’s high court. [One Wisconsin Now, 10/05/2015]
Scott Walker, Legislature altering Wisconsin’s way of protecting natural resources “Governor Walker believes it’s possible to protect our clean air, clean land, and clean water while enacting policies that improve our business climate and spur economic growth,” Walker spokeswoman Laurel Patrick said in a statement. But critics say Wisconsin’s natural resources are increasingly at risk as government moves away from a conservation tradition dating back […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 10/04/2015]
Scott Walker’s presidential race exit might propel conservative agenda The collapse of Gov. Scott Walker’s presidential campaign could actually propel conservative legislation in Wisconsin over the next several months. From ending all public money to Planned Parenthood to allowing state retailers to sell goods at cost or at a loss, lawmakers are considering proposals that conservatives have sought to pass in Wisconsin for years. […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 10/02/2015]
UNSPUN: September 23, 2015 One Wisconsin Now's Scot Ross and Republican politico Bill McCoshen discuss the hows and whys of Gov. Scott Walker's failed bid for president. [WMTV-TV, 09/23/2015]
Walker commits to finishing term, passing on cabinet post "Isn't Walker claiming he plans to serve his full term now eerily similar to his earlier claim?" asked Mike Browne of the liberal group One Wisconsin. [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 09/23/2015]
What now? Scott Walker returns to Wisconsin after failing on the national stage It's not the first time Walker's left a primary early that he couldn't win. He'll be back. Campaign politics is all he knows. [Capital Times, 09/22/2015]
Report: Scott Walker to announce he’ll drop out of presidential race Monday in Madison When faced with a real choice, Republicans voters choose, literally, anyone but Scott Walker. [Capital Times, 09/21/2015]
Walker Drops Presidential Bid , Should Apologize A terrific start to Scott Walker’s post-presidential candidate schedule would be an apology to the people of Wisconsin for the harm he’s done to our state. [WKOW-TV, 09/21/2015]
Gov. Walker to Drop Presidential Bid A terrific start to Scott Walker’s post-presidential candidate schedule would be an apology to the people of Wisconsin for the harm he’s done to our state. [One Wisconsin Now, 09/21/2015]
Gov. Walker to Double Down With Attacks on Working People in Las Vegas Speech The career politician's desperate bid to remain competitive on the backs of the middle class and working people will be unveiled in Las Vegas Nevada, hometown of anti-union, Walker mega-donor Sheldon Adelson. [One Wisconsin Now, 09/11/2015]
What Happened the Last Time Gov. Scott Walker ‘Wreaked Havoc’? In the latest rebranding of Gov. Scott Walker’s flailing campaign for the 2016 Republican Presidential nomination the career politician is promising he will be “wreaking havoc” in Washington, D.C. [One Wisconsin Now, 09/09/2015]
UNSPUN: September 09, 2015 One Wisconsin Now Executive Director Scot Ross made his regular appearance on UNSPUN for a discussion about Governor Walker's poll numbers and Hillary Clinton coming to Wisconsin. [WMTV-TV, 09/09/2015]
Scott Walker, in elected office since age 25, says he’s not a career politician Gov. Scott Walker denies he’s a career politician — even though he has been in elected office since he was 25 years old and first ran for office when he was 22. [Associated Press, 09/02/2015]
Scott Walker says he’s a ‘public servant,’ denies being a career politician Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, who has been in elected office for about 22 years, denies being a career politician -- instead saying he's a "public servant." [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 09/01/2015]
Five ‘Legitimate Ideas’ Gov. Scott Walker Ought to Consider On His Next Trip Home to Wisconsin The increasingly desperate and embarrassing campaign of Scott Walker hit a new low as he opined building a fence along the 5,525 mile long United States - Canada border is a legitimate idea. [One Wisconsin Now, 08/31/2015]
G.O.P. Candidates Take Aim at China as U.S. Markets Tumble He’s paying so little attention to Wisconsin he probably doesn’t know about it, so it would be fun to hear his response. [New York Times, 08/25/2015]
Ten Things That Do Not Intimidate ‘Unintimidated’ Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker With the poll numbers for his campaign for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination in free fall, former front-runner Gov. Scott Walker is desperately searching for a way to continue his 22 year career as a politician. [One Wisconsin Now, 08/21/2015]
Questions remain about Scott Walker’s ‘Unintimidated’ book deal "Scott Walker hid the details of his book deal for two years and now we know why." [Capital Times, 08/08/2015]
Walker scores big with Koch brothers, other wealthy donors in informal poll Liberal advocacy group One Wisconsin Now, which opposes school vouchers, described the makeup of the task force as being “packed” with voucher supporters, executive director Scot Ross said in a statement. The group pointed to $20,000 in campaign contributions that went to the GOP members of the committee from pro-voucher groups. [Wisconsin State Journal, 08/08/2015]
Scott Walker saves his punches for Hillary Clinton in first GOP debate Scott Walker's always been willing to say anything to get elected, but tonight, he was willing to say nothing to get elected. [Capital Times, 08/07/2015]
Will Scott Walker set himself apart in the GOP debate? He might not have to The liberal group One Wisconsin Now also took issue with Walker’s “fresh face” pitch, arguing that he has, in fact, held elected office much longer than Clinton did. [Capital Times, 08/05/2015]
‘He’s on his way out’: Panelists discuss effect of Scott Walker’s presidential bid on Wisconsin “It goes all the way back to his very first budget,” said Jenni Dye, research director at One Wisconsin Now, a liberal advocacy group. “Because one of his favorite things to talk about now is that he defunded Planned Parenthood.” [Capital Times, 07/29/2015]
Walker campaign raised $5.9 million; Our American Revival $6.2; Unintimidated PAC $20 million Gov. Scott Walker and a pair of groups supporting his presidential run have reported raising about $32 million so far this year. [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 07/21/2015]
Top adviser says Walker running as a ‘uniter’ “If you look at the polls, the longer Walker runs for president, the more Wisconsin seems united against it,” said Scot Ross, director of the liberal group One Wisconsin Now. [Associated Press, 07/21/2015]
Walker’s Odd Line in Sand with Trump Gov. Scott Walker’s recent tame rebuke of Donald Trump’s reprehensible comments about John McCain’s military service comes after Walker took nearly $500,000 from the architect of the notorious “Swift Boat” campaign. [One Wisconsin Now, 07/21/2015]
As Scott Walker’s presidential campaign hits the road, Las Vegas is the first stop Shortly before the 2014 election, Adelson gave $650,000 to the Republican Party of Wisconsin... Progressive groups such as One Wisconsin Now want to highlight those ties. [Wisconsin State Journal, 07/15/2015]
Is Governor Scott Walker Betting on Support From Right-Wing Casino Magnate With Latest Las Vegas Jaunt? What better way for him to kick off his latest campaign than a trip to ‘Sin City’ and the home of GOP mega-donor Sheldon Adelson? [One Wisconsin Now, 07/14/2015]
Least Surprising Announcement of the Day: Career Politician Governor Scott Walker Running for Office That Gov. Walker is announcing today he is running for another political office is little surprise. He’s politics incarnate - having spent almost his entire adult life doing or saying whatever he needed to win an election. [One Wisconsin Now, 07/13/2015]
Scott Walker’s war with unions a likely boon for fundraising in GOP race “He will do or say anything to win an election. 2014 is in his rearview mirror. He’s looking at the presidency, and he’s making a different calculation now,” One Wisconsin Now told Al Jazeera in February. [Al Jazeera, 07/10/2015]
Scott Walker Heads Into 2016 Race With Wins on Gun Sales, Union Dues “I don’t know what that says about him, other than he can’t be trusted,” said Mike Browne, deputy executive director of One Wisconsin Now, a group that typically opposes Walker’s policies. [Bloomberg, 07/06/2015]
Will Scott Walker Choose to Be a King? After cowering behind closed doors, Republicans emerged to unleash the greatest assault on open records in our state’s history. [Scot Ross, 07/02/2015]
Bradley Foundation plays key role in setting stage for Scott Walker presidential run "The Bradley Foundation millions have bought Scott Walker an insurance policy from criticism by the intellectual right," said Scot Ross of One Wisconsin Now. [Associated Press, 06/13/2015]
Before Walker run, a conservative foundation set the stage The Bradley Foundation millions have bought Scott Walker an insurance policy from criticism by the intellectual right. [Associated Press, 06/12/2015]
Rep. Chris Taylor says Gov. Scott Walker’s budget filled with mistakes Democrats (and a few Republicans) have complained about a variety of matters in the budget, and said the package was poorly prepared. Such complaints were raised in a news release issued the day before work on the budget began in the Joint Finance Committee. The Democrats on the committee complained that lawmakers were given a […] [Politifact, 06/01/2015]
Scott Walker’s Iowa moment continues with fundraisers He has always operated in a system by which he looks for the next highest office. It’s unfortunate, because Scott Walker puts his political future ahead of the people of Wisconsin every time. [Capital Times, 05/17/2015]
Democrats offer counter messages to GOP candidates in Iowa this weekend Ross accused Walker of being “all about the next election” and quickly shifting to a presidential campaign soon after he won reelection to a second term as Wisconsin’s governor this past November. [Radio Iowa, 05/16/2015]
The Foundations of Scott Walker’s Agenda: Bradley and Koch On issues like public education and the environment the foundations of Scott Walker’s agenda are not us. Instead he’s is shilling for right-wing billionaires and their foundations to advance his own political ambitions. [One Wisconsin Now, 05/15/2015]
Scott Walker pushes candidate boundaries, from 2012 recall to 2016 presidential election It's also another example of how the Walker GOP machine has been willing to twist and bend the real purposes of our laws in whatever way benefits him politically. [Capital Times, 05/15/2015]
Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker Owes Sears Up to $50,000: Report Both Walker's household and the deficit-laden state of Wisconsin under his purview are spending far more than they bring in. Seems Scott Walker might want to change his slogan to 'Do as I say, not as I do.' [People, 04/29/2015]
Twenty-Five Years of School Privatization, Twenty-Five Years of Failure On its silver anniversary, the Wisconsin school privatization experiment is the gold standard for failure and lack of accountability. But that won’t stop its champions like the Bradley-funded propaganda machine. [One Wisconsin Now, 04/28/2015]
Koch Brothers Support Koch Loyalist Scott Walker in Race for 2016 GOP Presidential Nomination In what may be one of the least surprising endorsements thus far in the race for the 2016 Republican Presidential nomination, billionaire brothers David and Charles Koch have said they favor Walker. [One Wisconsin Now, 04/21/2015]
Wisconsin Walker’s shopping tale doesn’t mention taxpayer millions “If you look at the Walker record, it has been cuts to infrastructure like public education to fund a trickle-down economic agenda that hasn’t worked,” said Mike Browne, deputy executive director of One Wisconsin Now. [Bloomberg News, 04/21/2015]
Inside Scott Walker’s Secret Brain Trust "The MacIver Institute is a propaganda factory for the failed Walker policies that have put Wisconsin near the bottom of the Midwest in job creation.” [Daily Beast, 04/16/2015]
Diving Into The Dark Money Of Scott Walker’s Bradley Foundation Donors The Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty is not simply a conservative, public interest law firm. It is a virtual extension of the political apparatus surrounding Gov. Scott Walker. [Crooks & Liars, 04/15/2015]
Scot Ross of One Wisconsin Now featured on Capitol City Sunday One Wisconsin Now Executive Director Scot Ross was featured on WKOW's Capitol City Sunday to talk wiith Greg Neumann about Gov. Scott Walker and Attorney General Brad Schimel. [WKOW-TV, 04/12/2015]
Walker says it’s not “unreasonable” to prohibit state employee from working on climate change While Walker did not directly vote on the matter, his office issued a statement indicating the policy was not “unreasonable.” “A small Wisconsin agency that manages thousands of acres of state land has banned its 10 employees from working on climate change issues while on the job. The measure was passed by a 2-to-1 vote […] [New York Times, 04/09/2015]
Fighting the Affordable Care Act is a priority for Walker On his first day as governor of Wisconsin, Walker authorized a state lawsuit challenging Obama’s signature health care law and, in part because of the success of states’ legal challenges to the federal Affordable Care Act, later opted not to use federal money under that law to expand state health programs. [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 04/07/2015]
Walker Proposed Stripping Natural Resources Board of Its Authority The move met broad opposition, including from all living former DNR Secretaries. “In an unprecedented letter of unity, all six former living Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources secretaries have endorsed that the Natural Resources Board should retain its current authority over the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.The former secretaries’ careers span 36 years of leadership […] [Agri-View, 04/06/2015]
Walker has said he will “push back” on any pressure for governors to fix Obamacare should the Supreme Court rule against subsidies for states that have not set up their own exchange In an interview last week with radio host Charlie Sykes, this exchange happened: SYKES: You may have a major decision coming up in a few months. If the Supreme Court rules in this King v. Burwell case that nobody in Wisconsin can continue to receive federal Obamacare subsidies, there is going to be tremendous pressure […] [Washington Post, 04/06/2015]
Scott Walker has spent most of life planted firmly in middle class One Wisconsin Now said for the past two decades Walker has gotten a public salary, some $1.75 million in all, not counting the generous pension and health benefits. [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 04/04/2015]
Audio Reveals Walker’s ‘April Fool’ on Campaign Finance Laws Audio from an Iowa event in March reveals Gov. Scott Walker joking with the crowd about his effort to evade campaign finance laws. [One Wisconsin Now, 04/01/2015]
GOP Trying to Cover Their Tracks, Limit Disclosure on Sources of Big Campaign Donations State legislative Republicans are circulating a proposal to hide even more information on the sources of their campaign cash. [One Wisconsin Now, 03/27/2015]
Walker allowed state to contest & appeal marriage ruling, resulting in state ultimately owing $1.1 million to the ACLU in legal fees The State of Wisconsin’s unsuccessful court battle to prevent gay marriage will cost taxpayers more than $1 million, under an agreement released Friday. State Attorney General Brad Schimel, a Republican, and attorneys for eight gay and lesbian couples reached the agreement after the couples successfully sued to overturn the state’s 2006 constitutional ban on same-sex […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 03/27/2015]
Scott Walker hits the campaign trail armed with what works (for him) Prior to November’s Election Day, Walker was “utterly and completely dishonest about his intentions,” said One Wisconsin Now executive director Scot Ross. [Wisconsin State Journal, 03/26/2015]
Walker Continues Campaign Against Obamacare, Despite Facts “Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, in the lead-up to an expected presidential bid, is continuing a push to align himself with the most conservative elements of the Republican Party, writing in an email to supporters on Monday that the United States should move forward with “bold conservative reforms to improve health care,” in place of the […] [RH Reality Check, 03/24/2015]
Not-So-Sweet Sixteen Highlights the Lowlights of Gov. Scott Walker’s Deceit, Cronyism, Corruption and Incompetence We've unveiled our own “sweet sixteen”, highlighting the not so sweet deceit, cronyism and corruption and incompetence of Gov. Scott Walker’s tenure. [One Wisconsin Now, 03/20/2015]
Will Senate GOP Rubber-Stamp Appointment of Gov. Walker Political Crony? The treasurer of the political group formed by Walker to employ his presidential campaign staff in waiting is before the Wisconsin State Senate today for a confirmation vote. [One Wisconsin Now, 03/17/2015]
One Wisconsin Now Issues Walker Warning for New Hampshire One Wisconsin Now is warning New Hampshire voters to beware this weekend when Walker visits to audition for the 2016 GOP Presidential nomination. [One Wisconsin Now, 03/15/2015]
One Wisconsin Now’s Walker Warning To America The progressive group One Wisconsin Now has collected more data on Scott Walker than any other organization and it has a warning to the people of New Hampshire. [Workers Independent News, 03/15/2015]
While Gov. Walker is Away, Legislators Will Play As Gov. Scott Walker criss-crosses the country auditioning for the 2016 GOP presidential nomination, fellow Republican legislators are running amok. [One Wisconsin Now, 03/13/2015]
Scott Walker hit from left, right for evolution on key issues In four mere months since his last election, Gov. Walker has reversed his public position... on immigration, abortion, workplace rights and ethanol in service of his personal political ambitions. [Capital Times, 03/12/2015]
Right-wing CPAC reels in presidential hopefuls “Gov. Walker has shown time and again that he will do and say anything to get elected,” said Scot Ross of One Wisconsin Now. [Wisconsin Gazette, 03/12/2015]
Column: Will Scott Walker flip-flop on ethanol at Iowa Ag Summit? Just because he has a long-standing position on renewable fuel standards won’t stop him from saying whatever he thinks he needs to say now try to win an election. [Capital Times, 03/09/2015]
Flip Flop Alert: Will Walker’s Views on Ethanol ‘Evolve’ for Trip to Iowa Ag Summit? Just because he has a longstanding position on renewable fuel standards won’t stop him from saying whatever he thinks he needs to say now try to win an election. [One Wisconsin Now, 03/06/2015]
GOP-Controlled Committee Puts Special Interests Funded by Gov. Scott Walker’s Campaign Co-Chair at Front of the Line While Shutting Out Wisconsin Families Groups receiving funding from the Bradley Foundation were at the head of the line at yesterday’s public hearing on a right-to-work law. [One Wisconsin Now, 02/25/2015]
One Wisconsin Now Statements on Senate Passage of ‘Wrong for Wisconsin’ Right-to-Work Bill Seventeen Republican Senators listened to powerful special interests like the Bradley Foundation run by Gov. Walker's campaign co-chair and voted against Wisconsin families. [One Wisconsin Now, 02/25/2015]
Unions, liberal groups suggest ALEC connection to Wis. right-to-work bill While union leaders focused their criticisms on ALEC, the liberal group One Wisconsin Now tied the right-to-work push to the conservative Milwaukee-based Bradley Foundation. [Capital Times, 02/24/2015]
Following the money behind ‘right-to-work’ The watchdog group One Wisconsin Now released research on the Milwaukee-based Bradley Foundation, headed by Gov. Scott Walker’s campaign co-chair. [Wisconsin Gazette, 02/24/2015]
One Wisconsin Now Research Reveals Gov. Walker Campaign Co-Chair as Major Financier of Propaganda Campaign Paving Way for Wrong For Wisconsin Right to Work Law Once again we see Michael Grebe and his Bradley Foundation paving the way for Gov. Walker’s right-wing, Tea Party agenda with a massive propaganda campaign. [One Wisconsin Now, 02/23/2015]
Gov. Walker’s Profile in Cowardice on the ‘Wrong for Wisconsin’ Right to Work Law Provides Preview for Nation Scott Walker is politics incarnate and he will say and do anything to get elected. He did it before and he’s doing it again. Far from being unintimidated, he is a profile in cowardice. [One Wisconsin Now, 02/20/2015]
Private School Voucher Industry Keeps Giving Big Campaign Cash, Keeps Getting Special Treatment from Gov. Walker and GOP Legislature According to the latest round of campaign finance filings, individuals associated with the private school voucher industry kept busy filling the campaign coffers of Gov. Walker and others, even after Election Day. [One Wisconsin Now, 02/19/2015]
Walker has repeatedly refused to accept federal Medicaid expansion in Wisconsin, hurting low-income workers and women “The state would stay the course and turn down federal money to expand Wisconsin’s health programs for the needy, under Gov. Scott Walker’s 2015 budget proposal….In 2013, the Republican governor rejected taking federal incentives to expand the state’s Medicaid programs, saying the deal risked entangling the state in exponentially growing future costs. Democrats say that […] [Governing.com, 02/19/2015]
Refusal to accept Medicaid expansion comes with a real cost to those pushed off Badgercare by Walker’s plan “As of last fall, BadgerCare had added about 97,500 adults without children who were below this cutoff of 100% of the federal poverty level, with state taxpayers covering a little more than 40% of the cost and federal money paying the rest. Meanwhile, the state has dropped about 57,000 adults from BadgerCare with incomes between […] [Governing.com, 02/19/2015]
Behold the Group Dogging Scott Walker’s Every Move Between the state capitol and the University... a half dozen people work long days to do everything they can to make sure Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker is never elected president. [Bloomberg, 02/11/2015]
Scott Walker, the Wisconsin Idea and the race for 2016 "GOP primary voters don't reject the notion that public education is a public good that creates jobs and opportunity," said Scot Ross, executive director of the liberal group One Wisconsin Now. [Capital Times, 02/06/2015]
Scott Walker’s Budget Deficit Keeps Getting Worse as He Campaigns in Iowa and California. The highly respected and nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau (LFB) released new projections showing that Wisconsin is ending its current budget with a $283 million deficit, more than twice what Walker’s aides said it would be just a few months ago. And Wisconsin is heading into a $2.2 billion deficit in its next budget cycle if […] [Express Milwaukee, 01/27/2015]
Scott Walker makes his case to Iowa conservatives, says he’ll be back ‘many more times’ One Wisconsin Now noted that Walker had timed the announcement of his plan to drug test applicants for public aid and his decision to reject a proposed Kenosha casino both in the week before his Iowa appearance. [Capital Times, 01/25/2015]
“Scott Walker is politics incarnate” Scot Ross released this statement about the Governor's trip to Iowa: "Scott Walker is politics incarnate. He's been running for office his entire adult life, and has spent about 75% of it in elected office." [WTMJ-TV, 01/24/2015]
Liberal activists hurl insults at Iowa-bound Republicans Scot Ross of One Wisconsin Now zapped Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, pegging him as a career politician who's spent "75 percent of his adult life in office." [Des Moines Register, 01/23/2015]
Leaving His Job in Wisconsin Behind Gov. Walker Hits the Presidential Campaign Trail Before jetting off to California to meet with the right-wing billionaire Koch brothers he’s making a stop in Iowa to address Tea Party Republican Rep. Steve King’s Freedom Summit. [One Wisconsin Now, 01/23/2015]
Gov. Walker Jetting Off to California, Again. Gov. Scott Walker is off to California for the second time in as many weeks, this time seeking the support of the ultra-wealthy right-wing power broker Koch brothers in his quest for the GOP presidential nomination. [One Wisconsin Now, 01/23/2015]
Democrats slam Scott Walker’s presidential dreams after State of the State The governor had planned to travel Wisconsin on Wednesday in a State of the State tour, but an email obtained by the liberal group One Wisconsin Now showed that the trip was canceled. [Capital Times, 01/15/2015]
Testimony in Opposition to Assembly Joint Resolution 1 One Wisconsin Now Executive Director Scot Ross submitted the following testimony in opposition to Assembly Joint Resolution 1, being heard in the Assembly Judiciary Committee today. [Scot Ross, 01/08/2015]
During 2014 Campaign, Walker Promised to Serve Full Term as Governor His continued interest in exploring a 2016 presidential bid prompted a question at the Oct. 10, 2014 gubernatorial debate: Would he promise to serve a full term if re-elected? He said he was “committed” to the position and planned to be in the job for the full four years. Some media saw that as a […] [Politifact, 01/04/2015]
John Doe emails: ‘Dark side’ was code for Scott Walker campaign Scott Walker’s Milwaukee County staff had a code name for his gubernatorial campaign with which they secretly coordinated strategy and messaging nearly every day: “the dark side.” […] Most of the correspondence involves routine county business, but many of the messages were sent using private email accounts. County staff also used private emails to conduct […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 12/31/2014]
Fundraising component of Walker inauguration draws liberal criticism The liberal advocacy group One Wisconsin Now was critical of Walker’s decision to give proceeds to the state party rather than donate them to charity. It dubbed the event a “pay to pray” fundraiser, a nod to the $25 prayer breakfast. “Scott Walker has one foot out the door for a 2016 run for the […] [Capital Times, 12/18/2014]
The Best Defense Money Can Buy: Parties Involved in Criminal Investigation of Campaign Collusion Spent Millions to Help Elect Court Majority That Could Hear Cases The Supreme Court, with Justice Bradley abstaining, voted to hear several appeals related to the criminal investigation of collusion between the Walker's campaign and outside groups. [One Wisconsin Now, 12/17/2014]
The political pitfalls of cultural crossover: Scott Walker edition In an undated letter unearthed by the liberal group One Wisconsin Now during the August release of documents from the first of two John Doe investigations related to the governor, Walker responded to a letter from Milwaukee attorney and chairman of the Wisconsin Center District Franklyn Gimbel… The letter is signed, “Thank you again and Molotov.” [Capital Times, 12/11/2014]
Walker Administration Breaks New Fundraising Ground With “Pay to Pray” Inaugural Event To commemorate the gubernatorial inauguration Wisconsinites will have the chance to ice skate, party and pray with Gov. Walker – if they’re willing to donate to the Republican Party of Wisconsin. [One Wisconsin Now, 12/10/2014]
Scott Walker continues to court Sheldon Adelson’s support in Las Vegas But the courtship dance began months ago and Gov. Scott Walker is continuing his endeavors to woo casino mogul Sheldon Adelson — most recently with a dinner in Las Vegas. The mega-donor — who poured more than $92 million on behalf of Republicans into the run-up of the 2012 presidential election — is scheduled to […] [Capital Times, 12/10/2014]
‘Right-to-Work’ Backer Cites Bradley Foundation-Funded Junk Science to Justify Attack on Middle Class Wages and Workplace Safety Rep. Kapenga used statistics promoted by the Bradley-funded Mackinac Center to claim introducing the measure in Wisconsin would be good for the state economy. [One Wisconsin Now, 12/04/2014]
Conservative group will push to make Wisconsin a right-to-work state Walker says anything to get re-elected and now he and his Republican front groups are ready to launch a frontal assault on Wisconsin's middle class working women and men. [Capital Times, 12/01/2014]
Right-to-work group launches after governor, legislators say issue not a priority “It’s the same playbook from four years ago that tore Wisconsin apart,” Ross said in a statement. “Gov. Walker says anything to get elected and now he and his Republican front groups are ready to launch a frontal assault on Wisconsin’s middle class working women and men.” [Racine Journal Times, 12/01/2014]
2015 Wisconsin State Budget Preview: $70 Billion-Plus Scott Walker 2016 Campaign Ad Based on the comments and actions of the yet-to-be-inaugurated for a new term Wisconsin Governor, the two-year $70 billion plus taxing and spending plan will serve as a glorified 2016 campaign ad. [One Wisconsin Now, 11/21/2014]
Under Gov. Walker Those Who Give, Get: Hill Farms Edition In the weeks before the November 4 election, the Walker administration attempted to quietly solicit bids to redevelop the Hills Farms state office complex in Madison. [One Wisconsin Now, 11/18/2014]
State Government The Wisconsin GOP Way: Those Who Give, Get and Those That Don’t, Don’t Assembly GOP Speaker Robin Vos and Gov. Scott Walker called for a dramatically expanded private school voucher program in Wisconsin, financed with public tax dollars. [One Wisconsin Now, 11/17/2014]
Walker 2016: Well, That Didn’t Take Long One Wisconsin Now Executive Director Scot Ross noted that Walker’s weekend presidential posturing follows his election night speech in which he made mention of “Washington” as frequently as “Wisconsin.” [One Wisconsin Now, 11/10/2014]
Mentions of ‘Washington’ Equal ‘Wisconsin’ in Gov. Walker’s Election Night Speech Walker's eleven-minute speech mentioned Wisconsin ten times, Washington nine times and America twelve times. A stunning display that Wisconsin's Governor has already moved on to his next electoral objective. [One Wisconsin Now, 11/05/2014]
Campaign Finance Records Reveal Out-of-State Special Interests Funneling Support for Gov. Walker Through In-State Big Business Lobby According to campaign finance filings, the RGA appears to have been funneling their TV ads supporting Walker through the state big business lobby, WMC. [One Wisconsin Now, 11/03/2014]
The Anatomy of a Right-Wing Smear Campaign The wallet and fingerprints of Scott Walker’s campaign co-chair, Michael Grebe, are all over this last-second desperate smear against Mary Burke. [Cody Oliphant, 10/30/2014]
Gov. Scott Walker’s Campaign Co-Chair’s Fingerprints on Latest Political Hit Job to Try to Maintain Power for Gov. Walker A review of IRS records and Bradley Foundation reports reveals they have provided significant financial support for the media outlet that first reported on the smear. [One Wisconsin Now, 10/30/2014]
Wisconsin Minimum Wage, Maximum Student Debt Tour Counters Walker Bus Stops U.S. Army Veteran and UW student Saul Newton will counter Gov. Walker's bus tour today with his own “Wisconsin Minimum Wage, Maximum Student Debt Tour.” [One Wisconsin Now, 10/29/2014]
Scott Walker scores big PAC donations after limits lifted “Half of the $80 million Scott Walker’s raised comes from outside of Wisconsin, and we all remember when he when flew to Las Vegas, hat in hand, to beg Sheldon Adelson for his support,” said Scot Ross. [Capital Times, 10/27/2014]
The War for Wisconsin Heats Up Bill Clinton joins the fray in the tight race for governor in Wisconsin, as incumbent Scott Walker and contender Mary Burke face off. NBC’s Chris Todd and Executive Director of One Wisconsin Now Scot Ross explain why the stakes are high. [MSNBC, 10/24/2014]
In 2010, Scott Walker’s campaign sought to keep IBM ‘happy’ Liberal group One Wisconsin Now accused Walker of “hypocrisy” because he was copied on those emails while at the same time promising on the campaign trail to “restore Wisconsin’s reputation for clean and honest government through transparency in the state contracting process.” [Wisconsin State Journal, 10/24/2014]
Walker Ad Can’t Hide Failing Record on Higher Ed, Student Loan Debt In a deceptive new ad, the flailing campaign of Gov. Scott Walker is trying to whitewash his disastrous record on student loan debt and higher education. [One Wisconsin Now, 10/20/2014]
The Latest Scott Walker Bald-Faced, Hair-Raising Dissemble On issue after issue, Gov. Walker has made hair-raising excuses and offered bald-faced distortions. [One Wisconsin Now, 10/20/2014]
Gov. Walker’s Work Problem: Showing Up For It. A news report, based on our analysis of Walker’s campaign reimbursements for his use of state vehicles, reveals the chief executive has spent at least one full year on the campaign trail. [One Wisconsin Now, 10/20/2014]
Scott Walker puts miles on state vehicles for job — and campaigning The people of Wisconsin are paying Walker's salary to work for them, but for over a year of his time in office, he has been on the campaign trail working only for his own political ambitions. [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 10/19/2014]
College Republicans Not the Only Allies of Gov. Walker Saying “Yes to the Dress” A review of annual reports from the Bradley Foundation, run by Gov. Walker’s campaign co-chair, shows it doled out $80,000 to Ave Maria University in Florida. [One Wisconsin Now, 10/03/2014]
Lt. Gov. Kleefisch Hosts Schimel Fundraiser After DA Refused to Investigate Husband’s ‘Pay-to-Play’ Allegations Months after refusing to investigate Rep. Joel Kleefisch, Brad Schimel will benefit from a fundraiser hosted today by the Lieutenant Governor at the Tory Lake Club in Oconomowoc. [One Wisconsin Now, 10/02/2014]
5.5 Million Plus Reasons Why Scott Walker’s Ethics Reform Plan Was a Lie MADISON, Wis. — In an “Ethics Reform Plan” Scott Walker proposed while running for Governor, he promised he would not accept contributions from the date of his inauguration until the signing of the state budget. A review of Gov. Scott Walker’s campaign finance records by One Wisconsin Now shows that for each budget he introduced between […] [One Wisconsin Now, 09/26/2014]
#TBT Eight Million Reasons Four WI Supreme Court Justices Must Recuse in Walker-John Doe Case A reminder from April 14 of how four of seven Wisconsin Supreme Court Justices owe their current elected position to the millions of dollars in spending in their races by the Wisconsin Club for Growth and Wisconsin Manufactures and Commerce. Gov. Scott Walker has previously asked the appeal of the Peterson ruling go directly to […] [One Wisconsin Now, 09/25/2014]
NRA to Gov. Walker: ‘Thanks a Million’ MADISON, Wis. — The National Rifle Association is trying to revive the flailing campaign of Gov. Scott Walker by placing a $1 million television buy for the next month in several markets around Wisconsin. The $1 million buy covers markets in La Crosse, Green Bay and Wausau. “Gov. Walker has bent over backwards to serve […] [One Wisconsin Now, 09/16/2014]
Emails Show Walker Involved in 2010 Voter Intimidation Billboard Campaign Content This is the smoking gun that shows Scott Walker at the center of one of Wisconsin’s most notorious voter intimidation efforts. [One Wisconsin Now, 09/12/2014]
Lawsuit challenging teacher contracts politically motivated, says One WI Now A lawsuit accusing the Madison School Board of engaging in illegal collective bargaining to the detriment of children and taxpayers was filed by a Milwaukee-based conservative legal group that is a “front” for Gov. Scott Walker, says the director of a Madison progressive advocacy group. [Capital Times, 09/11/2014]
Executive behind voter fraud billboards sought Scott Walker advice A venture fund manager consulted with then-Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker about state and federal voting laws in 2010, just weeks before the businessman began posting controversial ads on billboards in Milwaukee that warned “Voter Fraud is a Felony.” “Scott, I need to know the rules for illegal voting in Wisconsin,” Stephen Einhorn wrote in […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 09/11/2014]
Court to hear arguments on secret Scott Walker investigation Gov. Walker has refused responsibility for his actions or to be held accountable for his bad decisions. [MSNBC, 09/09/2014]
A Guide to Gov. Walker’s Education Policy: Follow the Money While studies of the voucher program have failed to demonstrate higher achievement for students, pandering to the voucher industry has been lucrative for career politician Scott Walker’s campaign account. [One Wisconsin Now, 09/04/2014]
Bradley Foundation’s WILL: Counsel for Walker’s Defense A right-wing “public interest” law firm and a legal expert who have raked in at least $1.75 million from the Bradley Foundation are entering the fray to try to help Gov. Walker out of his most recent legal jam. [One Wisconsin Now, 09/03/2014]
Gov. Walker Reacts to Falling Poll Numbers By Accusing Media of ‘Bias,’ ‘Incompetence,’ ‘Being Lazy’ Gov. Walker’s whining about the state and national media is a sign of a desperate, flailing governor who refuses to take responsibility for the corruption, cronyism and incompetence Wisconsin has endured under his ‘leadership.’ [One Wisconsin Now, 09/02/2014]
Two Weeks After Gov. Walker’s WEDC Approves Ashley $6 Million Tax Break, Ashley Owners Gave Walker $20,000 The timing of $20,000 in contributions to Gov. Walker made on the same day just two weeks after a $6 million taxpayer-funded tax break was approved for the company by WEDC should raise serious questions. [One Wisconsin Now, 08/25/2014]
Gov. Walker Can’t Dispute Facts of One Wisconsin Now WEDC Report The increasingly desperate campaign of Gov. Scott Walker hastily convened a press conference yesterday to dispute the undeniable facts that his policies and administration have been an utter failure on job creation. [One Wisconsin Now, 08/22/2014]
They’re Back: Wealthy Private School Voucher Boosters Fill GOP Politicians’ Campaign Coffers Supporters of private school vouchers from across the country are dropping big donations on Wisconsin politicians in recent months, including over $113,000 to Gov. Scott Walker and Lt. Governor Rebecca Kleefisch. [One Wisconsin Now, 08/18/2014]
Corporate Special Interests, Gov. Walker Buy Supreme Court Victory Over Workers, Voters MADISON, Wis. — Today’s state Supreme Court decisions supporting Gov. Scott Walker’s attacks on workers and voters were spearheaded by a four-member majority bloc that was elected through $8 million in spending by two of Walker’s biggest special interest supporters – Wisconsin Club for Growth and Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce. “The corporate special interests like Club […] [One Wisconsin Now, 07/31/2014]
Latest Finance Report Shows Walker Took Another $167,000 from Businesses That Got WEDC Funds A review of Gov. Scott Walker’s most recent campaign finance report reveals he continues to reap a windfall of campaign donations, nearly $167,000 in just the last six months, from individuals associated with state businesses getting tax breaks, loans and grants through his WEDC. [One Wisconsin Now, 07/28/2014]
Outsourcing’s new frontier: Scott Walker’s campaign ads “Gov. Walker is so committed to outsourcing that’s he’s even outsourcing stock footage jobs overseas,” said Scot Ross, executive director of the liberal group One Wisconsin Now. [Capital Times, 07/24/2014]
Gov. Walker’s Cross Country Cash Grab Rolls On Walker reports an astounding 56 percent of his campaign’s cash grab comes from individuals and special interest groups from outside of Wisconsin — $4.5 million. [One Wisconsin Now, 07/21/2014]
Gov. Walker’s Campaign Launches Political Attack on a Successful International Corporation Based in Wisconsin that Provides 1,000 Jobs In his latest negative television ad, Gov. Scott Walker’s campaign attacks Trek Bicycles - an international company, headquartered in Wisconsin and employing 1,000 state residents. [One Wisconsin Now, 07/18/2014]
Where There’s a WILL, There’s a Way… to Promote Gov. Walker’s Best Interests For the years in which Federal IRS records are available for both the Bradley Foundation and WILL, 2011 and 2012, Bradley funds accounted for over 90 percent of the total money WILL reported raising. [One Wisconsin Now, 07/11/2014]
Walker Television Attack Ignores Corruption, Cronyism, Incompetence of His Privatized Commerce Department Gov. Scott Walker’s campaign today announced a new negative television blitz against former Wisconsin Commerce Secretary and business leader Mary Burke. [One Wisconsin Now, 07/08/2014]
Will State Big Business Lobby Answer the Question, Is Gov. Walker Still Doing It? MADISON, Wis. — Contained in hundreds of pages of recently unsealed John Doe investigation court documents is information about the participation of the state big business lobby, the Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce (WMC), in a scheme termed “criminal” by prosecutors orchestrated by Gov. Scott Walker’s campaign. Since the release of the documents, Walker has refused to […] [One Wisconsin Now, 06/26/2014]
Gov. Scott Walker Still Refuses to Answer the Simple Question: Is He Still Doing It? While Walker refuses to answer if he continues to direct a scheme to avoid campaign laws, the right-wing mega-funder Bradley Foundation’s chief Michael Grebe, might have the answer. [One Wisconsin Now, 06/25/2014]
Scott Walker Accused of Illegal Fundraising One Wisconsin Now Executive Director Scot Ross said there is one simple question Gov. Walker must answer as his 2014 and beyond campaigns heats up: "Are you still doing it?" [MSNBC, 06/20/2014]
Tonight! Rightwing Bradley Awards Streaming Live The Progressive Magazine has a great post about tonight's 'Bradley Foundation' awards, emceed by recent…um…'newsmaker' George Will. [Scot Ross, 06/18/2014]
Seceding from the Union or Providing Relief from Student Loan Debt Crisis: Which is Better for the Wisconsin Economy? The GOP engaged in a debate over a party platform resolution authorizing the state to secede from the union. Democrats meanwhile are set to take on serious economic issues. [One Wisconsin Now, 06/05/2014]
One Wisconsin Now Slams Gov. Walker on Capitol City Sunday Scot Ross, executive director of the liberal group One Wisconsin Now, isn’t buying Walker’s answer. “There’s something there,” said Ross. “All this discussion about a settlement comes after there’s been discussion about the records being made public from the investigation and I think that’s what he fears the most.” [WKOW-TV, 05/30/2014]
Who is the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation Working For? The report found that owners or employees of 30 percent of businesses receiving WEDC assistance contributed to Gov. Walker's campaign or the RGA. Meanwhile these same businesses received almost 60 percent of WEDC economic development funds - $570 million in total. [One Wisconsin Now, 05/30/2014]
Right-Wing Special Interests Drop Big Bucks on TV to Prop Up Gov. Walker, Again With a recent poll showing Gov. Walker tied with his opponent, Walker’s right-wing allies are again taking to the airwaves to boost his sagging electoral fortunes. [One Wisconsin Now, 05/27/2014]
Is Gov. Scott Walker’s Book Deal Legal? MADISON, Wis. — Gov. Scott Walker has, according to his state ethics filing, received more than $1,000 in compensation for “writing” a book. But how much more? According to One Wisconsin Now Executive Director Scot Ross, Walker’s refusal to fully disclose the details of his book deal prevents the state ethics officials and the public from […] [One Wisconsin Now, 05/21/2014]
One Wisconsin Now Calls for Feds to Deploy Election Observers in Wisconsin for November 2014 Election In a letter to U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, One Wisconsin Now is requesting the federal DOJ send observers to Wisconsin for the November 2014 General Election. [One Wisconsin Now, 05/06/2014]
Gov. Walker’s Administration Continues Secrecy with Wisconsinites MADISON, Wis. — Governor Scott Walker continues engaging in a pattern of secrecy with the public he was elected to serve. His administration recently refused to fulfill a simple request for email communications between the Governor and his chief of staff. In Milwaukee County, Scott Walker’s administration went to great lengths to limit public scrutiny of […] [One Wisconsin Now, 04/30/2014]
Walker doesn’t disclose total book payment “This report shows Gov. Walker continues to keep secret from the people of Wisconsin both the details of how much he personally enriched himself for his lucrative pre-presidential campaign book deal, as well as who financed his criminal defense fund,” said Scot Ross, director of the liberal advocacy group One Wisconsin Now. “Given the corruption, […] [Associated Press, 04/30/2014]
Has the Republican Governors Association Hit the Panic Button? MADISON, Wis. — According to a report in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, a media firm that has already purchased $2 million in television airtime this year on behalf of the Republican Governors Association (RGA) has reserved another nearly $2 million worth of time in the final weeks before the November election. One Wisconsin Now Executive Director […] [One Wisconsin Now, 04/24/2014]
Legal Filings Show Walker Ousted GAB Chair After Board’s Unanimous Vote to Proceed with John Doe Investigation MADISON, Wis. — Just released filings related to the ongoing John Doe investigation into allegations of illegal coordination between Gov. Scott Walker’s campaign and a host of conservative organizations show Gov. Walker withdrew his own 2011 appointment of then-Government Accountability Board Chair David Deininger following a unanimous vote by the board to proceed with an investigation […] [One Wisconsin Now, 04/16/2014]
Gov. Walker’s Tax Day Record: Failure on $80 Million ‘Higher Ed, Lower Debt’ Tax Relief Plan One Wisconsin Now Executive Director Scot Ross railed against Walker for “his stunning lack of leadership” related to the stalled Higher Ed, Lower Debt student loan relief bill. [One Wisconsin Now, 04/15/2014]
Eight Million Reasons Wisconsin Supreme Court Justices Should Recuse on Walker Request to Hear Corruption Investigation One Wisconsin Now has filed a formal letter urging four of the court's justices to recuse themselves from a legal request by the campaign of Gov. Scott Walker related to the ongoing John Doe investigation. [One Wisconsin Now, 04/14/2014]
Walker signs early-voting bill; partial veto slightly extended voting hours from legislative version Acting out of the public eye on controversial measures, Gov. Scott Walker signed asbestos liability legislation Thursday opposed by a number of veterans groups and used a partial veto to loosen new restrictions on early voting opposed by Democrats. Wielding his pen privately on a stack of 31 bills, Walker approved a number of elections […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 03/27/2014]
Emails show Walker campaign manager successfully delayed Milwaukee County settlement with parents of woman who starved to death at Walker overseen County mental health complex Instructions from Scott Walker’s campaign manager were explicit: Delay settlement of a long-standing legal case over the starvation-relateddeath of Cindy Anczak at the Milwaukee County Mental Health Complex. “Could care less what it is on,” Walker campaign manager Keith Gilkes wrote in an Oct. 22, 2010, email exchange with a Walker aide at the county, […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 02/26/2014]
GOP ad buy for Walker tops $1 million, liberal group say Scot Ross, executive director of One Wisconsin, said Republicans donors have “pressed the panic button” on Walker’s campaign. ”(Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce’s) million dollar buy didn’t move the needle,” Ross said, referring to another recent ad supporting Walker. “And so now RGA is doing the dirty work and spending in Wisconsin before they’ve dumped money practically […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 02/25/2014]
Email dump makes political hurdles for Walker The emails raise serious questions about his ethics and trustworthiness as a politician and public official. [MSNBC, 02/20/2014]
Newly disclosed emails reveal racist jokes by Scott Walker’s ex-aides Even while arguing for racial outreach from his party, Gov. Scott Walker has had to deal with recent disclosures of racially charged statements from aides, with the latest two examples coming Wednesday in a massive dump of unsealed court documents….Unlike past cases, the newest examples coming to light Wednesday in the unsealed documents involved Walker […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 02/20/2014]
United Sportsmen seeks exemption from penalty for faulty tax filings Scot Ross, executive director of the liberal group One Wisconsin Now, said United Sportsmen’s sole source of funding appeared to be a conservative political group and that its main spending went to a GOP campaign consultant. “It is clear, based on their track record, that had United Sportsmen gotten state funding as envisioned by Governor Walker […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 01/17/2014]
Gov. Walker Set to Travel to Nebraska to Campaign For a ‘Friend’ MADISON, Wis. — Media reports from Omaha, Nebraska say Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker will be traveling there on January 27th to campaign on behalf of Republican gubernatorial candidate Pete Ricketts. Ricketts is a multi-millionaire with a reported distaste for paying his fair share of taxes. He ran a largely self-funded and unsuccessful, campaign for U.S. […] [One Wisconsin Now, 01/16/2014]
UNSPUN: January 15, 2014 Discussing Gov. Scott Walker's upcoming State of the State FAIL, and the scandal orbiting New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. [WMTV-TV, 01/15/2014]
One Wisconsin Now Calls For Investigation of Rep. Kleefisch’s Attempt to Slash Child Support Payments For Major Campaign Contributor One Wisconsin Now today requested Waukesha County District Attorney Brad Schimel open an investigation to determine if Kleefisch broke any laws with his actions. [One Wisconsin Now, 01/14/2014]
Walker’s Health Care Plan Kicked 77,000 adults off the Badgercare Program Legislation approved by Walker and GOP lawmakers requires some 77,000 adults in BadgerCare with incomes above the poverty line — $23,550 for a family of four — to be dropped from that state Medicaid coverage….Democrats note that some GOP governors have extended Medicaid coverage more broadly in their states by taking extra federal money available […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 01/09/2014]
“Public Input” Walker Style: Administration Shutting Out Media and Public From Invite Only Meetings With Big Business to Talk Tax Policy MADISON, Wis. — While claiming they will seek public input for an unspecified new scheme on state taxes, the administration of Gov. Walker is barring the media and general public from invite only, closed door meetings between top state officials and big business representatives. One Wisconsin Now Executive Director Scot Ross commented, “Banning the media […] [One Wisconsin Now, 12/17/2013]
One Wisconsin Now to Gov. Walker: “Governor, Tear Down Your Wall of Secrecy” MADISON, Wis. — Gov. Walker is publicizing multiple “forums” across the state where, at his direction, top administration officials talk tax policy changes with big business representatives. At the first stop in Beloit that featured Lieutenant Governor Rebecca Kleefisch, the Secretary of the Department of Revenue and business representatives, Kleefisch order the meeting closed to […] [One Wisconsin Now, 12/13/2013]
One Wisconsin Now Says: “Don’t Be a Scrooge!” MADISON, Wis. — In the wake of Gov. Walker’s recent, controversial campaign e-mail encouraging contributions to him instead of buying holiday presents for children, One Wisconsin Now is offering a special deal for tickets to its progressive holiday party and 8th anniversary celebration in Madison, December 16. Attendees who bring a new, unopened toy to […] [One Wisconsin Now, 12/06/2013]
Walker aide fired after tweets demeaning Hispanics For the second time in less than four months, Gov. Scott Walker has fired an aide for making demeaning comments about Hispanics on social media. Walker — who has been calling on fellow Republicans to do more to reach out to minority voters — ousted Taylor Palmisano as his campaign’s deputy finance director on Tuesday. […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 12/03/2013]
Will Scott Walker Run in 2016? Governor Walker has access to an ungodly amount of money. His campaign co-chair runs the $500 million right wing funding Bradley foundation. His largest donor is the wealthiest woman in Wisconsin. [MSNBC, 11/24/2013]
One Wisconsin Now Responds to Public Release of Gov. Walker’s Book MADISON, Wis. — The following are the statements of One Wisconsin Now Executive Director Scot Ross regarding the public release of Gov. Scott Walker’s book today: “Many words have and will be spoken about Gov. Walker’s book. For today, we’ll let this picture, that really captures the essence of what he is selling, do the talking.” […] [One Wisconsin Now, 11/19/2013]
Wisconsin Ensnared in $83 Million National Propaganda and Privatization Web Spun by Radical Right-Wing Funders A new report from One Wisconsin Now exposes a web of right-wing funders advancing a radical privatization agenda through the use of Wisconsin-based front groups. [One Wisconsin Now, 11/13/2013]
Assembly GOP Attempts to Resuscitate Voter ID Law The latest attempt by legislative Republicans to resuscitate a voter ID law that would potentially disenfranchise an estimated 300,000 legal Wisconsin voters. [One Wisconsin Now, 11/06/2013]
Latest Enrollment Statistics Expose Unaccountable Private School Voucher Expansion Scam The state Department of Public Instruction today released official enrollment counts for students in the expanded private school voucher program. [One Wisconsin Now, 10/29/2013]
Governor Walker to Big Business Lobby: ‘Thanks a Million’ There's no question Gov. Walker has been more than willing to repeatedly sell out the middle class and working families of Wisconsin to benefit the special interests. [One Wisconsin Now, 10/01/2013]
United Sportsmen Official Offered Free Two-Day Fishing Excursion to Author of Sweetheart Deal MADISON, Wis. — The author of a sweetheart deal worth potentially millions of dollars for a politically-connected organization was offered a free, two-day Lake Michigan fishing excursion by the lobbyist and Executive Director for the group, according to a story in today’s Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. One Wisconsin Now has filed a formal complaint with the […] [One Wisconsin Now, 09/29/2013]
Corporate Pals at WMC Drop Another $440,000 to Prop Up Gov. Walker’s Plummeting Poll Numbers The big business special interest lobby at Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce has now bought over $800,000 in deceptive television advertisements to boost the sagging poll numbers of Gov. Scott Walker. [One Wisconsin Now, 09/23/2013]
While Gov. Scott Walker Jets to New York to Hob Nob With Billionaires to Pursue Presidential Ambitions, Low Income Wisconsinites Getting Notices They’re Losing Their Healthcare Gov. Scott Walker “jets” to New York for a fundraiser hosted by billionaire owner of the New York Jets, for the benefit of the Republican National Committee. [One Wisconsin Now, 09/22/2013]
Walker Claims Ignorance On Sweetheart Deal for Group That Endorsed Him MADISON, Wis. — As part of his 2013-15 state budget Gov. Scott Walker signed into law a provision directing a $500,000 taxpayer funded grant to United Sportsmen of Wisconsin, a group that endorsed him in his 2012 recall election. According to news reports, mega-GOP and right-wing cause funder Terry Kohler personally lobbied legislative leaders on the […] [One Wisconsin Now, 09/18/2013]
One Wisconsin Now to Join ‘Public Education Is a Civil Right’ March, Rally One Wisconsin Now will join public education supporters from across the state at Saturday's 'Public Education Is a Civil Right' march and rally. [One Wisconsin Now, 09/17/2013]
Top GOP Legislator on Gov. Walker’s Sleazy United Sportsmen Deal: ‘The Process Has Worked’ MADISON, Wis. — Almost daily new revelations have raised serious questions about the propriety and legality of Gov. Walker and Republican legislators inclusion of a sweetheart deal in the state budget that would have given $500,000 of taxpayer money to a group that endorsed Walker in his recall election. In the face of mounting questions and […] [One Wisconsin Now, 09/17/2013]
New Developments In United Sportsmen Scandal Greet Gov. Walker Upon Return to Wisconsin From Latest Political Junket One Wisconsin Now called on Walker to answer questions about the sweetheart deal to send state tax dollars to a partisan political front group that endorsed him in his recall election. [One Wisconsin Now, 09/16/2013]
Air Walker, Frequent Flyer MADISON, Wis. — Gov. Walker has ditched the brown bag and four-door Saturn featured in his 2010 campaign ads for state taxpayer funded airplane travel, according to a report this week in the Shepherd Express. The paper’s review of Gov. Walker’s travel records found that between January and July 2013 Walker used state planes to fly […] [One Wisconsin Now, 09/12/2013]
Scandal Surrounding Gov. Walker’s Attempt to Reward Political Allies Deepens Breaking news reports today reveal that the group in question may in fact be a for-profit corporation that received at least $235,000 in income in 2011, courtesy of the right-wing Citizens for a Strong America. [One Wisconsin Now, 09/09/2013]
Gov. Walker on Line One: Wisconsin Gov. Phones Home From Political Junket in Washington State to Cancel Sleazy Deal MADISON, Wis. — A $500,000 taxpayer funded state grant to United Sportsmen of Wisconsin has generated increasing controversy over the last several weeks as serious questions were raised about how the grant process was rigged to make sure it went to a politically connected GOP front group and the trustworthiness of the organization. One Wisconsin Now […] [One Wisconsin Now, 09/05/2013]
Gov. Walker Jets to Seattle, Washington For Speech… Meanwhile in Wisconsin Over 6,100 Citizens Demand He Follow Campaign Fundraising Disclosure Rules MADISON, Wis. — According to reports, Gov. Walker has reversed course and will allow media to attend a speech he’s delivering to a right-wing think tank in Seattle, Washington today. While he’s not hiding from the press on the West Coast, back home in Wisconsin, over 6,100 citizens have signed a petition to the Government […] [One Wisconsin Now, 09/04/2013]
Could State Grant to GOP ‘Outdoor’ Group Be Used to Help Boost Republican Political Campaigns? Could a state grant slipped into the budget by the former Assembly Majority Leader, signed into law by Gov. Walker and rushed through the approval process by the Walker administration be used to help support partisan political activity? [One Wisconsin Now, 09/04/2013]
Questions for Gov. Walker and Assembly Majority Leader Mount as Committee Approves Grant for Politically Connected Special Interest Group Despite mounting questions and growing evidence that top Republican leaders went to great lengths to ensure a taxpayer funded grant went to a politically connected special interest group, the grant was approved on Thursday. [One Wisconsin Now, 08/29/2013]
Will Gov. Walker Share Anti-Voter Tips on Alabama Visit? Jim Crow of the 1960s has nothing on Scott Walker when it comes to trying to keep legal voters from voting in free and fair elections. [One Wisconsin Now, 08/22/2013]
Private School Voucher Scam: 75% of Applicants for Statewide Expansion of Taxpayer Funded Private School Vouchers Not Currently Attending Public Schools Seventy-five percent of the students applying for a taxpayer funded voucher are not coming from public schools, including 67% who were already in private schools. [One Wisconsin Now, 08/14/2013]
Walker campaign draws disclosure complaint Liberal advocacy group One Wisconsin Now is hoping its latest complaint against Gov. Scott Walker’s campaign gets more traction than the last one. [La Crosse Tribune, 08/08/2013]
DOT official likens illegal immigrants to Satan, then quickly fired In a stunning online rant, a top Gov. Scott Walker official likened illegal immigrants to Satan during a Facebook debate over a bumper sticker declaring open season on foreigners living in the United States without documentation. “You may see Jesus when you look at them,” Steven Krieser, assistant deputy secretary at the state Department of […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 08/08/2013]
One Wisconsin Now Files Complaint as Gov. Walker Fails to Disclose Legally Required Information for 240 Donations on Latest Campaign Finance Report Going back to 2009, when Walker began his run for Governor in earnest, his reports have failed to disclose legally required employer information for 7,512 big money donors giving over $100 totaling $2,330,197.98 in contributions. [One Wisconsin Now, 08/07/2013]
Walker personally oversaw response to O’Donnell Park tragedy, he and his team put political concerns first Gov. Scott Walker worked simultaneously with his campaign staff and county aides in coordinating responses to media inquiries, open records requests and news stories about the 2010 O’Donnell Park tragedy, according to newly released emails. The records show that Walker was integrally involved in the efforts to challenge any negative publicity after a concrete panel […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 07/30/2013]
Top Walker aides sought to slow down release of public records In one exchange, Walker’s top Milwaukee County fiscal aide, Cindy Archer, emailed Walker and Walker campaign aides on July 8 that “we may be responding too quickly” to requests for O’Donnell-related records made by his Republican primary rival, Mark Neumann, and by the state Democratic Party. Archer said she heard from Gilkes, Walker’s campaign manager, […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 07/30/2013]
Walker sought to justify involvement of campaign aides in county response to O’Donnell Park incident by blaming political opponents Gov. Scott Walker said Tuesday that his top campaign staffers began advising and directing his Milwaukee County aides on their response to the 2010 O’Donnell Park tragedy because Walker’s political foes were trying to hijack the issue. “Literally, within moments — I think even that day in your paper’s story — there were comments from […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 07/30/2013]
Will Gov. Walker Take His Own Advice? MADISON, Wis. — In a recent story in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Gov. Walker weighed in on the Ryan Braun scandal, ripping him for failing to “fess up”. One Wisconsin Now Executive Director Scot Ross called on Walker to heed his own advice by revealing the donors to his criminal legal defense fund and making […] [One Wisconsin Now, 07/23/2013]
Gov. Walker’s Campaign Finance Report: More to the Story MADISON, Wis. — In a statement on Gov. Walker’s recent campaign finance filing, his campaign manager touted his “grassroots” support. Would you be surprised if there’s more to the story? Once again, most of Gov. Walker’s campaign cash comes from out of state, and, once again, the vast majority comes from high dollar donors. We’ve […] [One Wisconsin Now, 07/22/2013]
Bradley Foundation Dollars Continued to Fuel Right Wing Noise Machine in 2012 According to documents reviewed by One Wisconsin Now, staples of the state right wing noise machine were once again beneficiaries of the largesse of Michael Grebe in 2012. [One Wisconsin Now, 07/17/2013]
Gov. Walker’s WEDC Pays Off Big… For His Campaign Account A review of campaign finance records by One Wisconsin Now has found that Gov. Walker's campaign and the RGA have raked in over $614,000 in donations from individuals associated with businesses receiving tax credits through the WEDC. [One Wisconsin Now, 07/15/2013]
Walker among signers of Koch-backed ‘No Climate Tax Pledge.’ “Signers of the pledge, now numbering 411, promise to “oppose any legislation relating to climate change that includes a net increase in government revenue” — in other words, no legislation on climate change without an equivalent amount of tax cuts. They include one U.S. senator from Wisconsin, three House members, four members of the state […] [Capital Times, 07/03/2013]
Gov. Walker’s Political Future “I think the reason Gov. Walker would run for president is because his political ambition knows no bounds,” Ross said. Ross accuses Walker of trying to pad his national resume by taking on public unions, enacting a tax cut, refusing to expand Medicaid under Obamacare, and expanding school vouchers. [WLUK-TV, 07/01/2013]
Walker claimed his “boldest” reform of 2013 budget was forcing food stamp recipients to attend work training Walker went on to say, however, that the “biggest, boldest reform” in the budget was new work requirements for people on food stamps. Able-bodied adults must spend at least 20 hours a week working or getting trained for a job, or they will be limited to three months of benefits over three years. Walker described […] [Associated Press, 07/01/2013]
Walker budget gave himself power to sell state property Gov. Scott Walker will have new power to sell state heating plants, highways and other properties, but privatization deals in other states have ranged widely in popularity and success.Revenue from the sales must be put toward relieving the $8 billion state debt, according to the budget Walker planned to sign Sunday…Critics of privatization argue that […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 06/30/2013]
#WalkerAt20: Friends’ Felonious Failures MADISON, Wis. — In his twenty years in office, Scott Walker has amassed a truly astounding record of failure. To commemorate the looming anniversary of his first election to office, One Wisconsin Now is highlighting a different and depressing failure of Gov. Walker every day, for twenty days. Today we examine the close aides and […] [One Wisconsin Now, 06/26/2013]
#WalkerAt20: Failure Foreshadowed, The Walker Administration in Milwaukee County MADISON, Wis. — In his twenty years in office, Scott Walker has amassed a truly astounding record of failure. To commemorate the looming anniversary of his first election to office, One Wisconsin Now is highlighting a different and depressing failure of Gov. Walker every day, for twenty days. The failures of today are, sadly, not […] [One Wisconsin Now, 06/23/2013]
#WalkerAt20: Failure to Respect Diversity You'd think Scott Walker would show at least some commitment to representing the diversity of Wisconsin's 5.5 million residents. But Gov. Walker has shown by his actions that if you're not rich, white and straight, he doesn't have time for you. [One Wisconsin Now, 06/20/2013]
#WalkerAt20: The Only Things Certain in Life? Taxes and Walker Failure MADISON, Wis. — In his twenty years in office, Scott Walker has amassed a truly astounding record of failure. To commemorate the looming anniversary of his first election to office, One Wisconsin Now is highlighting a different and depressing failure of Gov. Walker every day, for twenty days. On the final day of scheduled debate […] [One Wisconsin Now, 06/19/2013]
#WalkerAt20: Walker’s Education Agenda a Formula for Failure MADISON, Wis. — In his twenty years in office, Scott Walker has amassed a truly astounding record of failure. To commemorate the looming anniversary of his first election to office, One Wisconsin Now is highlighting a different and depressing failure of Gov. Walker every day, for twenty days. Under Gov. Walker no area has more […] [One Wisconsin Now, 06/17/2013]
#WalkerAt20: Promises Made, Promises Broken MADISON, Wis. — In his twenty years in office, Scott Walker has amassed a truly astounding record of failure. To commemorate the looming anniversary of his first election to office, One Wisconsin Now is highlighting a different and depressing failure of Gov. Walker every day, for twenty days. As the legislature prepares to begin debate […] [One Wisconsin Now, 06/16/2013]
#WalkerAt20: Failing to Protect Women’s Health When given the choice between protecting women’s access to safe and legal health care services or pandering to the most extreme right-wing of the Republican Party, Scott Walker has sided with the extremists over Wisconsin women every time. [One Wisconsin Now, 06/14/2013]
#WalkerAt20: ‘Divide and Conquer’ MADISON, Wis. — In his twenty years in office, Scott Walker has amassed a truly astounding record of failure. To commemorate the looming anniversary of his first election to office, One Wisconsin Now is highlighting a different and depressing failure of Gov. Walker every day, for twenty days. On tap for today, in a rare […] [One Wisconsin Now, 06/13/2013]
#WalkerAt20: Bradley Foundation Errand Boy There's no bigger funder of the right-wing noise machine and radical agenda of unaccountable education privatization than the Bradley Foundation. [One Wisconsin Now, 06/12/2013]
#WalkerAt20: Home Improvement, Governor’s Mansion Edition MADISON, Wis. — In his twenty years in office, Scott Walker has amassed a truly astounding record of failure. To commemorate the looming anniversary of his first election to office, One Wisconsin Now is highlighting a different and depressing failure of Gov. Walker every day, for twenty days. Scott Walker has collected a handsome sum […] [One Wisconsin Now, 06/11/2013]
#WalkerAt20: Failing Democracy The rights of voters to participate in free and fair elections, and have confidence that their vote will be counted is fundamental to our democracy. No one has failed them more than Gov. Walker. [One Wisconsin Now, 06/09/2013]
One Wisconsin Now to Highlight ‘20 Years of Walker Failure’ MADISON, Wis. — Beginning June 10, One Wisconsin Now will commemorate over 20 days, the failings, scandals and imbroglios of Gov. Scott Walker’s 20-years in elected office. Gov. Walker, who was first elected to the State Assembly on June 29, 1993, has spent virtually no time in the private sector and has enjoyed nearly half […] [One Wisconsin Now, 06/04/2013]
Walker touts Iowa roots, offers vision for GOP success Scot Ross, executive director of One Wisconsin Now, criticized Walker for being more focused on a 2016 presidential bid than on being Wisconsin’s governor. [WisPolitics, 05/23/2013]
Scott Walker in Iowa: Quid Pro Quo Among Political Pals or 2016 Trial Balloon? Scot Ross, the executive director of the Wisconsin group, said Walker has exaggerated and is “spinning yarns” about the successes of his conservative agenda as he “pursues his ambition for higher office,” according to a news release. Ross said Walker’s jobs creation record is one of the worst in the country, that Wisconsin “is rated […] [Johnston Patch, 05/22/2013]
Eyes are on Governor Walker for Iowa speech and 2016 “We are at the bottom of job creation and yet he’s not doing his job. Instead, he’s crisscrossing the country going to Connecticut, New York, and Iowa,” Scott Ross of One Wisconsin Now said. [WBAY, 05/22/2013]
Walker’s Iowa speech sparks political buzz about 2016 It was also on the minds of his critics, some who went to Iowa from Wisconsin to blast Walker at a news conference prior to the governor’s speech. “We all know what Scott Walker thinks about rights. The rights of 175,000 workers taken away,” said Scot Ross of One Wisconsin Now [WISN-TV, 05/22/2013]
Is Wisconsin ‘Money Badger’ Michael Grebe Paying Fox News Head Big Bucks for Fawning Media Coverage of His Favorite Wisconsin Politicians? Fox News Chair and CEO Roger Ailes is in line for a big payday courtesy of Michael Grebe, head of the Bradley Foundation and co-chair of Gov. Scott Walker's campaign. [One Wisconsin Now, 05/13/2013]
Walker Campaign Co-Chair’s Foundation Funds Group Suing MATC Over Taxpayer-Finance Savings Plan The lawsuit by the WILL over a contract signed by the MATC comes thanks to the CEO of the Bradley Foundation, which has contributed $500,000 to WILL. [One Wisconsin Now, 05/01/2013]
Gov. Scott Walker Maintains Veil of Secrecy for Those Who Foot the Bill for His Criminal Defense Lawyers Gov. Walker has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to pay for his criminal defense attorneys, yet, to this day, he is refusing to disclose who's footing the bill. [One Wisconsin Now, 05/01/2013]
Conservative law firm sues MATC over labor contract “Taxpayers can personally thank Gov. Walker’s campaign co-chair for this lawsuit, that if successful, will cost them $150 million,” said Scot Ross, One Wisconsin Now’s executive director, referring to the cost savings MATC said it achieved through bargaining with the union. [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 05/01/2013]
Massive Bradley Foundation Education Privatization Campaign Exposed New research from One Wisconsin Now reveals a web of right-wing groups are part of a $31 million plus propaganda campaign pushing a massive privatization of public education in Wisconsin. [One Wisconsin Now, 04/19/2013]
Gov. Walker’s Misplaced Budget Priorities: Education Privatization Devastating to Public Schools An analysis of Gov. Walker's 2013-15 budget plan reveals a massive increase in the percentage of state taxpayer dollars going to the unaccountable private school voucher program. [One Wisconsin Now, 03/10/2013]
Gov. Walker’s Campaign Set to Drop Anchor at Exclusive Florida Yacht Club MADISON, Wis. — Gov. Scott Walker leaves snowy Wisconsin behind this week as he jets off to sunny Florida for “lifestyles of the rich and famous” campaign fundraiser at the exclusive Naples Yacht Club. One Wisconsin Now Executive Director Scot Ross wondered if Chris Cline, whose open pit mining bill is one of Walker’s top […] [One Wisconsin Now, 03/05/2013]
The Billion Dollar Question: How Big is Budget Windfall for Gov. Walker’s Biggest Campaign Contributor? MADISON, Wis. — An initial analysis of Gov. Walker’s proposed income tax break in his 2013-15 budget shows, to no surprise, that the majority of the breaks go to the state’s wealthiest taxpayers. But, according to One Wisconsin Now Executive Scot Ross, the billion-dollar question is: what’s the windfall for Gov. Scott Walker’s largest campaign […] [One Wisconsin Now, 02/21/2013]
Barrett: Walker is abandoning Republican notion of local control Mayor 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]
Walker Rejected Federal Expansion of Medicaid, Costing Taxpayers More for Less If the federal government keeps its current commitments, Gov. Scott Walker’s plan for avoiding a full expansion of the BadgerCare program under the federal health care law would cost Wisconsin taxpayers roughly $250 million more through 2020, under preliminary estimates by the Legislature’s nonpartisan budget office. In addition to lower state costs, the full expansion […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 02/16/2013]
Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance Blames Gov. Walker’s Epic Jobs Failure on Wisconsin Citizens’ Age and Demeanor "There is no disputing that this is a politically conservative organization." [One Wisconsin Now, 02/04/2013]
Wisconsin Citizens Shut Out While Out-Of-State Mining Company Helps Draft Bill to Develop Massive Open Pit Mine MADISON, Wis. — Legislation being fast-tracked by Gov. Walker and the Republican controlled state legislature to roll back environmental standards for a massive open pit mine in Northern Wisconsin was, according to drafting records obtained by One Wisconsin Now, extensively modified at the behest of the out-of-state company seeking to open the mine. One Wisconsin […] [One Wisconsin Now, 01/28/2013]
State of the State? More like State of Gov. Scott Walker’s Presidential Campaign. It is no coincidence that the first post-November election comments on his policy agenda for the coming year were made by Gov. Scott Walker at the Reagan library in California [Scot Ross, 01/10/2013]
Walker Welcomes New Legislative Session Another statement came from the activist group One Wisconsin Now executive director Scot Ross, who said after two years of partisan political strife and stagnant economy, Walker’s pledge this week didn’t mean much. “Two years ago we got the same song and dance from Gov. Walker and the Republican legislative majorities, but they put raw […] [Wisconsin Gazette, 01/07/2013]
Walker, GOP Legislature’s Latest Promises of Moderation at Odds With Record of Extreme Partisanship, Failure on Jobs Promise After two years of unprecedented partisan political strife under their governance, a stagnant economy and record cuts to public education, Gov. Walker and legislative Republicans enter the new legislative session claiming in media reports that they will pursue a moderate political agenda. [One Wisconsin Now, 01/06/2013]
One Wisconsin Now Statements on the Two Year Anniversary of Scott Walker as Governor MADISON, Wis. — One Wisconsin Now Executive Director Scot Ross released the following statements on the two-year anniversary of Scott Walker as Governor: “Scott Walker used his gubernatorial inauguration in 2011 as a shockingly unseemly fundraiser for his own campaign and the state Republican Party. His cash grabs, pursuit of partisan political power and crony […] [One Wisconsin Now, 01/02/2013]
Walker Signed a Bill Allowing Partisan Election Observers Closer to Voters, Jeopardizing Their Private information and making polling places more contentious Signed a bill that allows election observers to be as close as three feet to voters and poll workers when they are registering to vote or giving their name and address when checking in at the polling place. The bill passed both houses and was approved by the Governor on April 2, 2014. [2013 AB 202, Senate Vote, 01/01/2013]
Walker Signed a Bill Making It Harder for Individuals in Residential Care Facilities to Vote Signed a bill which reduced the number of locations to which clerks are required to send special voting deputies to allow individuals to cast absentee ballots. The bill was passed by both houses and approved by the Governor on March 27, 2014. [2013 AB 396, Senate Vote, 01/01/2013]
Walker Signed a Bill Increasing Partisanship of Poll Workers Signed a bill that requires that whenever two or more poll workers are required to perform a function at polling place and both parties have submitted nominees, then the chief inspector must assign an equal number of poll workers from the nominees of each party. Prior law did not require that political party be considered […] [2013 SB 265, Senate Vote, 01/01/2013]
Walker Signed Bill Restricting Early Voting Hours and Limiting Local Clerks’ Control of Early Voting Hours Signed 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]
Einhorns Expand Their State Political Scandal Portfolio Authorities should immediately open an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Capital Midwest being granted management of $1 million of taxpayer funds through WHEDA. [One Wisconsin Now, 12/09/2012]
Wisconsin ‘Money Badger’s’ Paw Prints Uncovered In Attack on Worker Rights in Michigan Wisconsin's 'Money Badger', Michael Grebe, appears to have his paws in the attack on worker rights in Michigan according to One Wisconsin Now Executive Director Scot Ross. [One Wisconsin Now, 12/06/2012]
Will Wisconsin ‘Money Badger’ Back Gov. Walker’s Quest for Presidential Super PAC Cash? Recent media report included Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker on a list of suitors seeking an audience with GOP mega-donor and Las Vegas casino magnate Sheldon Adelson. [One Wisconsin Now, 12/05/2012]
Walker Aide Pleads Guilty Today. Set Up Secret County E-Mail System Used by Previously Sentenced Brett Davis Campaign Fundraiser. MADISON, Wis. — One Wisconsin Now Executive Director Scot Ross renewed a call made earlier this week for Gov. Walker to demand the resignation of top administration aide Brett Davis for his participation in a scheme to benefit his failed Lieutenant Governor campaign, at taxpayer expense, that has resulted in jail time for one former […] [One Wisconsin Now, 11/28/2012]
State Medicaid Director Brett Davis Must Go for Role in Illegal Campaigning on Public Dime MADISON, Wis. — On the heels of Kelly Rindfleisch’s guilty plea to a felony misconduct in office charge, and a jail sentence for campaign fundraising work she did while a top aide to Scott Walker as Milwaukee County Executive to benefit the 2010 Lieutenant Governor campaign of then Rep. Brett Davis, Gov. Walker must ask […] [One Wisconsin Now, 11/25/2012]
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]
The Wisconsin ‘Money Badger’s’ Bad Night Last night proved that, in a fair fight, progressives win and the people of Wisconsin will reject right-wing policies that take their rights and favor the wealthy and corporations over the middle class and working families. [One Wisconsin Now, 11/06/2012]
Foundation Behind ‘Voter Fraud’ Billboards Exposed Thanks to reporting done by The Grio's Joy Reid and the advocacy organization One Wisconsin Now, Melissa Harris-Perry is able to name names for 'This Week In Voter Suppression” in exposing the foundation behind billboards that splashed false information on voter fraud. [MSNBC, 11/03/2012]
Commentary: Voter Intimidation and our Obligation to Fight Back Through investigative work by The Grio and One Wisconsin Now, it was discovered that the Einhorn Family Foundation was behind the ads. [BET, 10/31/2012]
Romney Campaign Touted Support of Foundation Head Behind Voter Suppression Effort Grebe's support for these voter suppression efforts was reprehensible and Romney's campaign will be no better if it fails to denounce them immediately. [One Wisconsin Now, 10/31/2012]
Bradley Foundation helped pay for 2010 voter fraud sign The liberal organization One Wisconsin Now was the first to disclose the role the Einhorn foundation had in footing the bill for the billboards. Scot Ross, head of the Madison-based group, called it “reprehensible” that private foundation money was spent on billboards that Ross said were intended to suppress the vote during the 2010 election in which Scott Walker was […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 10/30/2012]
Venture capitalist Einhorn behind ‘voter fraud’ billboards Billboards warning communities of color in Ohio and Wisconsin that voter fraud can lead to jail time were put up by a group led by a Milwaukee-based venture capitalist and donor to Mitt Romney and the Tea Party movement, an investigation by NBC’s theGrio has found. The billboards—which carried the unnecessary (and some might say, […] [MSNBC, 10/30/2012]
Einhorns Confirm One Wisconsin Now/theGrio Investigation: Admit Purchase of Voter Suppression Billboards The Einhorn Family Foundation confirmed an investigation by theGrio and One WI Now and admitted it was the previously-anonymous funder of voter suppression billboards. [One Wisconsin Now, 10/29/2012]
Venture capitalist Einhorn paid for voter fraud billboards Stephen Einhorn – a Wisconsin venture capital fund manager and major GOP donor – acknowledged Monday that he and his wife Nancy paid for dozens of anonymous billboards in and around Milwaukee and two Ohio cities warning residents of the penalties for committing voter fraud. Democrats and civil rights groups complained that the signs – […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 10/29/2012]
Revealed: Joint Investigation by One Wisconsin Now & theGrio Uncovers Anonymous Funder of Voter Suppression Billboards This was not an act of free speech, but an expression of racism as despicable as the 'whites only' signs of the Jim Crow South. [One Wisconsin Now, 10/28/2012]
Dark Money Fueled by Little-Known Organizations Scot Ross of "One Wisconsin Now" joins Melissa Harris-Perry and her guests to dig into the details on the Bradley Foundation, what is called the "big granddaddy of political money that no one knows about." [MSNBC, 10/27/2012]
What Happened? Wisconsin’s Scott Walker Reduced to Warm Up Act on GOP Convention Governors’ Night MADISON, Wis. — Right wing celebrity Gov. Scott Walker’s star power appears to be on the wane in recent weeks, as evidenced by his warm-up act role on Governors’ night at the Republican National Convention. One Wisconsin Now Executive Director Scot Ross commented, “Walker’s fall looks a lot like the superstar arena rock band of […] [One Wisconsin Now, 08/26/2012]
New Report Details Walker Exploitation of Recall Fundraising Loophole MADISON, Wis. — A comprehensive report from One Wisconsin Now and United Wisconsin shows how Gov. Scott Walker raised over $7 million by exploiting the unlimited campaign finance recall loophole and provides a detailed perspective on the out-of-state and in-state donors who bankrolled Walker’s win in June. “Scott Walker exploited the recall election rules to […] [One Wisconsin Now, 08/08/2012]
Final Tally In For Gov. Walker’s Cash Grab MADISON, Wis. — An analysis of campaign finance reports by One Wisconsin Now found Gov. Walker’s record spending in the June 5th recall election was overwhelmingly fueled by large contributions from the wealthy and out-of-state donors. One Wisconsin Now spokesperson Mike Browne commented, “It’s too bad Gov. Walker isn’t as good at running the state […] [One Wisconsin Now, 07/05/2012]
Not-So-Frugal Recall Winner Scott Walker Resumes Jetting to Points Afar The press and third-party groups like One Wisconsin Now no doubt will at some point again look at travel expenditures for the governor’s office, as they have in the past. The last time anyone did look — it was the Wausau Daily Herald, pre-recall — we learned that Walker had spent about as much as […] [Uppity Wisconsin, 06/13/2012]
Issue of the Week: When Money Talks Walker’s unlimited donations were supposed to be used for the defense of the recall, and could only be collected until the GAB certified the recall election. But, again, Walker was able to exploit loopholes in the law. According to One Wisconsin Now, he collected the “unlimited” sums even after the GAB called the election because […] [Express Milwaukee, 06/12/2012]
Beer and Brats: Is Gov. Walker Just Feeding Wisconsin Another Line? MADISON, Wis. — Citing the age-old adage that actions speak louder than words, One Wisconsin Now is calling on Gov. Scott Walker to take concrete actions to heal the rift in Wisconsin brought on by his “divide and conquer” agenda. One Wisconsin Now Deputy Director Mike Browne commented, “Time and again Gov. Walker has told […] [One Wisconsin Now, 06/11/2012]
Walker aligns himself with climate change denying Heartland Institute “Walker will be the keynote speaker at a benefit dinner for the Illinois-based Heartland Institute, a group that has recently come under fire for a billboard campaign linking those concerned about global warming to “Unabomber” Ted Kaczynski, serial killer Charles Manson, and Cuban dictator Fidel Castro. …Heartland proudly displayed the campaign on the front page […] [PR Watch, 06/11/2012]
Gov. Walker’s Recall Golden Rule: He Who Has the Gold, Rules An analysis of Gov. Walker’s campaign finances by One Wisconsin Now has revealed he raised $7.3 million from wealthy, mega-donors exceeding the normal $10,000 aggregate contribution limit. The amount raked in by Gov. Walker from just 167 wealthy individuals, is nearly twice as much as the total of all contributions to his recall election opponent. […] [One Wisconsin Now, 06/10/2012]
Mike Browne: Mega-Millions Fueled Gov. Walker’s Win Gov. Scott Walker’s billionaire backers, along with outside spending from corporate-funded special interest groups such as Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce and the Republican Governors Association and Shadowy groups such as the “Coalition for American Values” outspent Democratic challenger Tom Barrett and groups supporting him 8-to-1, according to Mother Jones. [Wisconsin State Journal, 06/08/2012]
Walker Political Appointee Stonewalling Release of Public Records? MADISON, Wis. — Gov. Walker’s political appointee in charge of the Department of Workforce Development (DWD) appears to be stonewalling the release of public records related to claims he made about the release of unverified state job numbers. One Wisconsin Now spokesperson Mike Browne commented, “The unprecedented release of unverified jobs numbers weeks before the […] [One Wisconsin Now, 06/06/2012]
The Heartland Institute’s Special Guest: Scott Walker Gov. Scott Walker (R-WI) is scheduled to be the keynote speaker for the Heartland Institute’s benefit dinner in August, 2012. Heartland has lost more than $1 million in expected corporate funding in the wake of public outrage over its climate denial, reducing president Joe Bast to beg for more financial support. Walker is a perfect […] [Think Progress, 06/06/2012]
Scott Walker Tries to Buy an Election – and A State Governor Scott Walker is not trying to win the Wisconsin recall election that will be held June 5. He is trying to buy it. If the embattled governor does prevail, he will provide essential evidence not of his own appeal but of the power of money to define our politics. [Economy in Crisis, 06/04/2012]
How to Buy a Recall Election Governor Scott Walker is not trying to win the Wisconsin recall election that will be held June 5. He is trying to buy it. As One Wisconsin Now’s Mike Browne says: “Given Wisconsin’s worst in the nation record on jobs and the cuts to schools and health care to pay for corporate tax breaks under […] [NPR, 06/03/2012]
John Nichols: Scott Walker tries to Buy an Election – and a State Exploiting a loophole in Wisconsin election law — which removes contribution limits for officials seeking to prevent a recall election — the governor has raised unlimited amounts of cash from wealthy donors. Even after the recall election was scheduled, 23 wealthy donors gave the governor an addition $1.7 million to offset expenses run up before […] [Capital Times, 05/30/2012]
Memo to Reporters: “Bombshell” Email Exchange With Top Adviser John Hiller Suggests Scott Walker is at the Heart of Criminal Corruption Probe Progressive advocacy group One Wisconsin Now continued to analyze Walker’s campaign finance records throughout the 2010 campaign for governor. They found that his campaign improperly reported well over $500,000 in contributions from inside and outside Wisconsin. The organization also filed a formal complaint with the Government Accountability Board regarding Walker’s serial breaking of campaign finance […] [WisDems, 05/29/2012]
What is Gov. Walker Hiding? MADISON, Wis. — Eighty-two days and $160,000 later, Gov. Walker and his campaign are continuing to refuse to name the donors to the legal defense fund he is using to pay for defense lawyers in a “John Doe” criminal investigation of corruption and illegal campaigning. One Wisconsin Now spokesperson Mike Browne commented, “It’s understandable that […] [One Wisconsin Now, 05/29/2012]
Gov. Walker Continues Massive Cash Grab MADISON, Wis. — A One Wisconsin Now analysis of Gov. Walker’s most recent campaign finance report reveals he is continuing to rake in high dollar contributions and raise the majority of his funds from out-of-state. Gov. Walker also continues to exploit a loophole allowing him to raise unlimited dollar amount contributions for expenses incurred before […] [One Wisconsin Now, 05/28/2012]
Did ALEC give Walker 3.4 Million for the Recall Election? In March 2012, One Wisconsin Now released a report showing Governor Scott Walker had spent more time out of the state of Wisconsin than in the state working for the citizens. One Wisconsin Now pointed out Walker used approximately 600 hours of personal time from August 2011 to January 2012. So what was Scott Walker […] [Politiscoop, 05/27/2012]
5 Questions Gov. Walker Should Answer At Tonight’s Debate MADISON, Wis. — Questions continue to mount about Gov. Walker’s candor on serious issues, including his involvement in the secret John Doe investigation of corruption and illegal campaigning by close aides and associates and video showing him telling campaign contributors a very different story than the public. One Wisconsin Now Deputy Director Mike Browne called […] [One Wisconsin Now, 05/24/2012]
Scott Walker’s Billionaires Club An unprecedented cross-country cash grab, driven by donations from wealthy, right-wing ideologues and special interests, turbocharged with a campaign finance loophole allowed Gov. Scott Walker to raise donations in unlimited amounts to fund expenses related to “recall defense.” [One Wisconsin Institute, 05/24/2012]
Memo: Follow the Money You've also probably seen the ads paid for by the special interests benefitting from tax giveaways, consumer protection rollbacks and lax public safety regulation enforcement by the Walker administration. [One Wisconsin Now, 05/21/2012]
Walker received a $1,000 donation from David Green, CEO & Founder of Hobby Lobby in 2012 Wisconsin Campaign Finance Information System records show Green made a donation of $1,000 to Friends of Scott Walker on May 16, 2012. Hobby Lobby is well-known for their challenge of the Affordable Care Act, specifically regarding provisions requiring coverage for contraceptives. [Government Accountability Board, 05/16/2012]
“Divide and Conquer” Ad Capture Hilarious Walker Whopper This ad and posting from One Wisconsin Now featuring the hypocrisy in Walker’s “divide and conquer” anti-union disclosure to a billionaire, megabucks campaign donor catches Walker in a classic ‘I mean the opposite’ moment. [The Political Environment, 05/14/2012]
Billionaires Back Gov. Walker’s One Percent Agenda MADISON, Wis. — Nine members of the exclusive Forbes U.S. Billionaires List gave nearly $1.4 million to Gov. Walker over the last four months, according to One Wisconsin Now’s analysis of his most recent campaign finance filing. One Wisconsin Now spokesperson Mike Browne commented, “Gov. Walker has spent the last year giving away the proverbial […] [One Wisconsin Now, 05/01/2012]
Scott Walker’s Billionaire Boys Club: Big Money Backs Anti-Labor Agenda This time, according to the advocacy group One Wisconsin Now, thirty-nine “mega donors” giving in excess of $10,000 a piece accounted for $2,430,000 of Walker’s haul. [The Nation, 05/01/2012]
Gov. Walker’s Cross Country Cash Grab Takes Off As Wisconsin Economy Crashes and Burns MADISON, Wis. — Under Gov. Walker, Wisconsin’s economy has tanked, ranking dead last in the nation for job creation and suffering the ignominy of being the only state in the nation with statistically significant job losses over the last year. Meanwhile, Gov. Walker’s cross country cash grab has been a stunning success, netting two-thirds of […] [One Wisconsin Now, 04/29/2012]
Walker Raises $13 Million in Recall The liberal group One Wisconsin Now said its initial analysis of Walker’s most recent campaign finance report reveals that $8.37 million, or roughly 66 percent, of the $12.74 million reported raised Walker came from out of state and that 75 percent of individual contributors were from out of state. [WISC-TV, 04/29/2012]
Corporate Funded RGA Returns to Wisconsin to Try to Bail Out Gov. Walker MADISON, Wis. — Late last week, the Republican Governors Association (RGA) announced via press release that they were returning to Wisconsin with a TV ad criticizing possible recall election opponents of Gov. Walker. According to a One Wisconsin Now analysis of Internal Revenue Service (IRS) records, the special interests and corporations that have donated millions […] [One Wisconsin Now, 03/26/2012]
Big Spending, Corporate Funded Republican Governors Association Returns to Try to Bail Out Gov. Walker MADISON, Wis. — The Virginia based, corporate-funded Republican Governors Association (RGA) announced in a press release today that it has returned to Wisconsin with negative television commercials attacking possible opponents of Gov. Walker in a recall election. But according to One Wisconsin Now spokesperson Mike Browne, if creating jobs, taxes and spending are issues of […] [One Wisconsin Now, 03/22/2012]
Greta Van Susteran Falls for Walker’s Waterloo Ballyhoo In an interview with Fox News legal eagle Greta Van Susteren, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker says his upcoming recall election will be a “Waterloo” moment for national unions that will “invest everything possible to try and take me out to send a message.” … A recent open records request by the activist group One Wisconsin Now shows that from […] [Center for Media and Democracy, 03/20/2012]
Scott Walker, AWOL from his job and thinking of more cash The Progressive, Statistical minded watchdogs at progressive One Wisconsin Now have done the state’s voers another great service by examining how Gov. Scott Walker spends his time. [Uppity Wisconsin, 03/14/2012]
Gov. Walker Touts Leadership, But Official Schedule Tells a Different Story MADISON, Wis. — A One Wisconsin Now analysis of Gov. Walker’s schedules from August 2011 through January 2012 reveals that little time was scheduled by the state’s chief executive for communicating with legislators or working on a legislative agenda but that huge amounts of time were blocked off as “personal”. One Wisconsin Now Spokesperson Mike […] [One Wisconsin Now, 03/13/2012]
Recall Rolls On: Extension Granted, Dates Set, Walker Downplays Job and Forms Legal Defense Fund Gov. Walker claims that he has hired new criminal defense lawyers for the purpose of cooperating with the Milwaukee County District Attorney. However, for a year, the campaign itself was paying an attorney to ‘cooperate’ with the DA by providing needed emails, etc. [Dane 101, 03/13/2012]
Scott Walker, Gov. Moocher A One Wisconsin Now analysis of Gov. Walker’s schedules from August 2011 through January 2012 reveals that little time was scheduled by the state’s chief executive for communicating with legislators or working on a legislative agenda but that huge amounts of time were blocked off as “personal”. [The Political Environment, 03/13/2012]
37 Days Since Gov. Walker Announced He “Lawyered-Up” in Criminal Investigation of Administration, Still No Word On Who Is Paying His Legal Defense Bills MADISON, Wis. — In early February, Gov. Scott Walker announced he had “lawyered-up” in the ongoing criminal investigation of his administration, retaining two high profile criminal defense attorneys. His continuing refusal to disclose how he is paying for his lawyers, whose billing rates could approach $1,000 per-hour, raises troubling ethical concerns, according to One Wisconsin […] [One Wisconsin Now, 03/08/2012]
Walker Sets Up Legal Defense Fund Gov. Scott Walker said Friday he has set up a legal defense fund to pay for two attorneys representing him in a Milwaukee County investigation, under a state law that allows such a move for officeholders if they’re charged or under investigation for election or campaign violations. [Associated Press, 03/08/2012]
Walker campaign sets up legal fund as John Doe investigation continues Governor Scott Walker has created a legal defense fund to pay for his expenses connected with the ongoing John Doe probe into his former Milwaukee County aides. [WSAU, 03/08/2012]
Gov. Walker: New TV Ad, Same Falsehoods and Failed Policies One Wisconsin Now Deputy Director Mike Browne made the following statement regarding Gov. Scott Walker’s latest special interest funded campaign ad: “Governor Walker’s new special interest funded TV ad is selling the same falsehoods and failed policies. The facts are that Gov. Walker’s policies have cost us jobs, hurt public schools, increased taxes on seniors […] [One Wisconsin Now, 03/04/2012]
Wisconsinites Tell Government Accountability Board: Count It and Call It While Gov. Walker and Republicans continue to seek delays in setting a recall election date – and keep raising unlimited campaign donations from wealthy mega-donors – One Wisconsin Now Deputy Director Mike Browne today urged the Government Accountability Board (GAB) to listen to the thousands of Wisconsin citizens who’ve signed an online petition asking them […] [One Wisconsin Now, 03/01/2012]
Walker received over $100,000 from anti-contraceptive mega-donor Foster Friess “The day after a recall campaign was launched against Gov. Scott Walker in November, Foster Friess gave the governor $100,000. Friess is the wealthy supporter of socially conservative causes — and Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum — who infamously stated on MSNBC earlier this month that an aspirin could double as birth control for a […] [Isthmus, 02/29/2012]
Gov. Walker Wants Outside Groups With History of Voter Suppression to Challenge Recall Petition Signatures His campaign is asking that allegations of improper signatures on recall petitions from an alliance of Texas and Wisconsin fringe political groups accused of voter suppression activities be considered by the GAB. [One Wisconsin Now, 02/27/2012]
GOP Stalls Voucher Loophole Fix, Proposed Accountability Standards as Their Campaign Coffers Fill With Cash MADISON, Wis. — Campaign finance records show private school voucher advocates have showered Gov. Scott Walker and the GOP with over $507,000 in campaign contributions in 2011 and 2012. Meanwhile proposed accountability standards that would include voucher schools are on hold and a bill to close a loophole that could allow statewide expansion of the […] [One Wisconsin Now, 02/14/2012]
Executives Open Pockets to Help Walker Fight Recall The Walker campaign finished the quarter with a combined total of more than $2.6 million cash on hand in the recall and general campaign funds. The campaign has raised more than $12 million since Jan. 1, 2011. According to the campaign, 16,406 of those contributions were $50 or less, representing 76.5 percent of the overall number […] [Biz Times, 02/07/2012]
Governor Scott Walker Needs to Come Clean MADISON, Wis. — One Wisconsin Now statement regarding burgeoning Scott Walker political corruption scandal and the reluctance of the Governor to answer questions about “what he knew and when he knew it”: Gov. Walker needs to come clean. The latest charges in the scandal surrounding Scott Walker paint a grim picture of a culture of […] [One Wisconsin Now, 01/26/2012]
Over 61 Percent of Walker’s Individual Money in Latest Reports From Out-of-State Donors MADISON, Wis. — The unprecedented out-of-state cash grab by Gov. Scott Walker continued at an alarming rate with Walker’s latest reports showing he has amassed 61 percent of the $4.1 million in individual contributions raised since December 11 from outside of Wisconsin. Walker’s four top donors, each giving $250,000, were also from out of state, […] [One Wisconsin Now, 01/23/2012]
Walker tells public budget is balanced, tells fed government WI has budget deficit Gov. Scott Walker’s administration has touted for months its efforts to balance the state budget, but now it also has acknowledged a significant way in which the budget isn’t balanced. To keep the possibility alive of making further cuts to state health programs, the Walker administration quietly certified to the federal government on Dec. 29 […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 01/22/2012]
Is ‘It’s Working’ Gov. Walker’s ‘Mission Accomplished’? In fact, the only way Gov. Walker could be less credible is if he stood on the deck of the U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln like George W. Bush in front of a banner reading “It’s Working, Wisconsin.” [One Wisconsin Now, 01/19/2012]
3 Wisconsin veterans board members have resigned in protest A third veteran has resigned from a state board in response to Gov. Scott Walker’s moves to gain greater control of the Department of Veterans Affairs, including his decision to appoint John Scocos as agency secretary…In his letter to the first-term Republican governor, Freedman criticized legislation that stripped the board of its ability to appoint […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 01/18/2012]
‘Gov. Walker Has Failed Wisconsin’ MADISON, Wis. — One Wisconsin Now Executive Director Scot Ross released the following statements about the unprecedented grassroots uprising against the failed policies of Gov. Scott Walker. “In just one year, Gov. Scott Walker has failed the people of Wisconsin as no other elected official in our state has. Continuing job loss, while nationally the […] [One Wisconsin Now, 01/16/2012]
DHS Secretary hires Heritage Foundation fellow with no background or degree in public health to run Division of Public Health But insiders point out that McKeown, who as the state’s health officer is the administrator of the Division of Public Health, appears to have no background or degrees in public health, a specialty within the vast arena of health care… Wisconsin’s health officer is charged with everything from making sure the state has an emergency […] [Capital Times, 01/13/2012]
Walkergate Exclusive: Add a New Campaign Violation to the List One Wisconsin Now has been following his campaign finance reports for years and recently reported that he has violated campaign finance laws more than 1100 times which, if enforced, could tally up to more than $500,000 in fines for his campaign. [Cognitive Dissidence, 01/12/2012]
Spokesperson refuses to speak to reporters who ask about his immunity deal Gov. Scott Walker’s spokesman, Cullen Werwie, has begun to refuse interviews with media outlets that discuss the fact that Werwie has been granted immunity in a Joe Doe inquiry into wrongdoing by the governor’s associates. This is the problem with keeping Werwie in his position now that he has been granted immunity in a probe […] [Capital Times, 01/12/2012]
Walker Accused of Violating Over 1,000 Campaign Finance Laws Wisconsin law requires that a candidate disclose contributions which exceed $100 — something that Scott Ross, director of One Wisconsin Now, says he repeatedly declined to do.“Scott Walker has improperly reported well over $500,000 in contributions from inside and outside of Wisconsin,” Ross said. “Scott Walker has absolutely no interest in following the campaign finance […] [Raw Story, 01/10/2012]
Walker Sues to Stick Taxpayers With Campaign Tab Despite Being Able to Raise Unlimited Money MADISON, Wis. — Gov. Scott Walker’s effort to require taxpayers to finance the recall signature review campaign process should be disallowed, given Walker has been crisscrossing the country raising unlimited and unprecedented amounts of campaign cash, according to One Wisconsin Now. “Gov. Walker can’t have it both ways,” said Scot Ross, One Wisconsin Now Executive […] [One Wisconsin Now, 01/08/2012]
Walker Expects a Recall Election Walker also defended raising out-of-state cash to bolster his campaign for the recall. Last month, Walker’s campaign reported raising $5.1 million since July. The liberal advocacy group, One Wisconsin Now, said nearly half the money was raised from out of state. [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 01/04/2012]
Judges again rule for Democratic group in redistricting case In a scathing ruling, a three-judge panel decided for the third time Tuesday that a Democratic group has a right to an array of information on how Republican lawmakers drew new legislative districts. Saying that GOP lawmakers and their attorneys have filed “frivolous” motions trying to keep their information private, the panel also required the […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 01/03/2012]
Walker’s Latest Ad Repeats False Claims About Taxes, Jobs MADISON, Wis. — The latest ad in Gov. Scott Walker’s multi-million dollar campaign continues to distort Walker’s record of failure on job creation and deficit reduction, including the false claim that Walker did not raise taxes. “Gov. Walker believes that if he repeats the lie enough, the people of Wisconsin will believe it,” said Scot […] [One Wisconsin Now, 01/02/2012]
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 cut Here’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]
Republican National Committee got preview of legislative maps An aide to a top lawmaker gave sworn testimony last week that new legislative maps approved this year were not meant to increase the Republican majority in the Legislature but were nonetheless provided to the Republican National Committee in advance. The seemingly inconsistent testimony came in a deposition from Adam Foltz, an aide to Assembly […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 12/28/2011]
Walker Opponents Not Caught Up in Holiday Spirit of Latest Campaign Ad “The jobs losses, cuts to schools and education, and enrichment of corporations paint a far more Dickensian picture than Walker’s ad,” said Scot Ross, leader of the liberal advocacy group One Wisconsin Now. “Good thing he and the family are ‘volunteering’ for a food kitchen, because his policies are going to make even longer lines […] [Republic, 12/20/2011]
Wisconsin Recall Calculus: $5M Distant Dollars v. 500,000 Citizens A One Wisconsin Now analysis reveals that ten percent of Walker’s money came from Texas—including a $250,000 check from the Bob Perry, the Lone Star conservative who warped American politics by attacking Vietnam veteran John Kerry with “Swift Boat” lies. [The Nation, 12/17/2011]
Walker’s Unprecedented Out-of-State Contributions Alarming MADISON, Wis. — The just-released campaign finance report for Gov. Scott Walker is not only awash in millions of dollars of out-of-state money, but also 187 new violations of campaign finance disclosure rules for failing to include employer information for more than $41,000 in contributions. “Scott Walker intends to win this election with huge donations […] [One Wisconsin Now, 12/15/2011]
Walker far outraising recall organizers “In all our years of analysis, we have never seen a politician try to win a Wisconsin race with so much non-Wisconsin money,” said Scot Ross, One Wisconsin Now executive director [La Crosse Tribune, 12/15/2011]
Half of Walker’s $5 Million Take Comes From Out of Wisconsin MADISON, Wis. — Gov. Scott Walker grabbed half of the $5 million he raised in unlimited funds from outside of Wisconsin, including $250,000 from Texan Bob Perry, the architect of the infamous “Swift Boat” smear ads. “Gov. Walker is trying save his skin by taking money from whomever and wherever in the country he can,” […] [One Wisconsin Now, 12/14/2011]
One Wisconsin Now Statements on Speaker Fitzgerald’s ‘Laughable’ Recall Petition Bill MADISON, Wis. — One Wisconsin Now Executive Director Scot Ross released the following statements regarding the latest power grab by outgoing Assembly Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald (R-Horicon) and current U.S. Senate candidate related to recall petition signing. Fitzgerald announced the scheme just as the recall effort against Gov. Scott Walker announced over 500,000 recall signatures have […] [One Wisconsin Now, 12/14/2011]
Walker Recall Drive Gathers 597,000 Signatures in Month In the past few weeks; Walker has rolled out a series of TV commercials touting his accomplishments. According to One Wisconsin Now, a liberal watchdog group, the governor has spent about $2.2 million on advertising time. [Green Bay Press-Gazette, 12/14/2011]
With half the money coming from out of state, Walker far outraising recall organizers “In all our years of analysis, we have never seen a politician try to win a Wisconsin race with so much non-Wisconsin money,” said Scot Ross, One Wisconsin Now executive director. [Wisconsin State Journal, 12/14/2011]
Walker opponents gear up for recalls One Wisconsin Now, a left-leaning nonprofit, created a $10,000 reward fund for any information leading to the arrest of people who deface or destroy petitions. [Badger Herald, 12/13/2011]
Business Owner in Latest Walker Ad Thrived During Doyle Administration MADISON, Wis. — The “business owner” featured in the latest Scott Walker television ad saw his business grow 1,300 percent during the administration of Gov. Jim Doyle, according to a self-professed claim in the Business Times from 2008. The business owner is actually a vice chair at the Milwaukee Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, which donated […] [One Wisconsin Now, 12/12/2011]
Facts Tell Different Story Than Deceptive Walker Education Ad MADISON, Wis. — The Monona Grove school district cited in Gov. Scott Walker’s latest deceptive television ad as being a success story, has lost teachers, seen higher class sizes rise throughout the curriculum as result of Walker’s historic $1.6 billion gutting of public education. “Gov. Walker can’t tell the truth about his record of failing […] [One Wisconsin Now, 12/08/2011]
Walker recall verification efforts ramp up Recall Walker supporters are taking steps to ensure that only valid signatures are submitted for counting. Conservative tea party activists, who say they are nonpartisan, and Republican Party opponents want to make sure that any questionable signatures are challenged. When asked to cite some of these incidents, Ross Brown, founder of We the People of […] [Isthmus, 12/07/2011]
Anatomy of a Right-wing Smear Campaign, Volume One On Tuesday, the community and labor group Wisconsin Jobs Now was cleared of wrongdoing during this summer's recall elections against Senate Republicans. [Cody Oliphant, 12/06/2011]
Tea Party Declares Wisconsin First Battleground of 2012 Elections Recall supporters say they are not intimidated by the tea party effort. “I think this is just some right wing, outside corporate front group trying to profit off of people around the country about the situation here in Wisconsin,” Scot Ross, executive director of One Wisconsin Now, says. “I think that any corporate-sponsored front group […] [WBAY, 11/28/2011]
Walker, Texas Raider: Gov. Traveling to Lone Star State Corporate Event; More Unlimited Campaign Cash MADISON, Wis. — The awful news this week about nearly 10,000 jobs being lost in Wisconsin has not stopped Gov. Scott Walker from his efforts to crisscross the country and raise unlimited campaign contributions the latest being an announcement he will keynote an event in Texas, hosted by that state’s leading corporate-funded public policy outfit. A […] [One Wisconsin Now, 11/17/2011]
Walker says he’s not responsible for recall effort against him But Scot Ross, executive director of the liberal group One Wisconsin Now, noted Walker did not talk about cutting collective bargaining during the campaign and said Walker was precisely the one who caused the recall effort. “Gov. Walker is responsible for tearing Wisconsin apart and the division which has led to this unprecedented recall effort […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 11/15/2011]
Walker’s Past Statements on the Need for Recall MADISON, Wis. — With Gov. Scott Walker in the midst of an extended period of fundraising unlimited amounts of campaign cash, One Wisconsin Now is reminded of this video produced by Walker’s 2010 campaign about recalls. A Walker donor filed papers on November 4 for a fake recall of Walker, allowing the governor 11 additional […] [One Wisconsin Now, 11/13/2011]
Walker to air TV ad during Monday Night Football Stephan Thompson, executive director of the state Republican Party, put out a statement touting the 30-second ad. The head of the liberal group One Wisconsin Now, though, chided Walker’s team for using a political newcomer to praise Walker’s proposals. “It’s no surprise that someone from the most Republican part of Wisconsin, who is specifically opposed to […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 11/13/2011]
Walker allowed municipal employers to undermine collective bargaining agreements Walker signed into a law a bill that allows any municipal employer to enter into a memorandum of understanding to reduce the cost of compensation or fringe benefits, without modifying an existing collective bargaining agreement for purposes of 2011 WI Act 10. The memorandum has to be entered into within 90 days after the effective […] [2011 WI Act 65, 11/09/2011]
Walker says he opposes “double dipping” but won’t force top aides to stop taking pensions Gov. Scott Walker voiced support for legislation that would end a long-standing practice that allows public workers to simultaneously collect their pension and a state paycheck. The statement concludes by adding Gov. Walker “supports applying the same policy for administration appointees.” [Capital Times, 10/26/2011]
Walker says he opposes “double dipping” but won’t force top aides to stop taking pensions In the past five and a half years, at least 6,829 state and local government employees covered by the Wisconsin Retirement System left then returned to work, simultaneously earning a pension and a salary. Those include two of Gov. Scott Walker’s cabinet secretaries: Corrections Secretary Gary Hamblin and Children and Families Secretary Eloise Anderson, both […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 10/23/2011]
Committee considers litigation reform bills Opponents of a pair of Republican-backed litigation reform bills argued before a state Assembly committee Friday that the proposals will gut consumer protection laws and effectively stop the filing of lawsuits against companies that break the law. One measure would limit the amount plaintiff’s attorneys can charge in some cases to three times the amount […] [Associated Press, 10/21/2011]
Bill would apportion electoral votes by congressional districts The liberal group One Wisconsin Now accused Republicans of trying to hijack presidential elections, despite the lack of support from GOP legislative leaders. The group’s executive director, Scot Ross, said the proposal would put an “essential end” to the Electoral College system of voting in presidential elections. [Lakeland Times, 10/17/2011]
One Wisconsin Now Supporters to ‘Take to the Air’ with Message to Gov. Walker at Badgers’ Football Game Fans on hand to cheer the University of Wisconsin Badgers’ football game Saturday will see a message about Gov. Scott Walker’s attacks on higher education. [One Wisconsin Now, 10/13/2011]
Wisconsin Gov. Walker broke campaign promise on paying full cost of pension Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, who forced public workers to pay more for their pensions as part of a push to curb union rights, broke his campaign promise to pay the full cost of his state pension immediately after taking office in January. “It is indefensible Scott Walker promised to live by these rules and then […] [Boston Globe, 10/13/2011]
Crime and Courts: Interesting twist — GOP issued warning of fanatics with weapons. Scot Ross, the director of the liberal group One Wisconsin Now, couldn’t pass up a comment on the irony. He sent me Courtney’s letter, which is attached to this post, with the following comment: “With Scott Walker and the Republicans, you always follow the money. In May, they used the threat of guns in the […] [Capital Times, 10/10/2011]
Van Hollen shows his skewed priorities By Scot Ross. Van Hollen refused to help local law enforcement in the John Doe investigation that has ensnared top officials from Walker’s Milwaukee County executive regime. Among those involved are people given top jobs in the Walker gubernatorial administration. The two previous Wisconsin attorneys general offered resources and support in similar types of cases involving […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 10/03/2011]
DHS Secretary announces BadgerCare cuts; Dems introduce bill rolling back BadgerCare takeover The bill, announced Monday, would put the Legislature back in charge of deciding costs and eligibility associated with Medicaid and Badgercare, essentially taking the state back to a time before Gov. Scott Walker took office. The proposal comes in response to potential cuts announced last week by Department of Health Services Secretary Dennis Smith, which […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 10/03/2011]
In first year as governor, Walker admin proposed sharply raising premiums for state health programs & force others to lower cost or private plans To fill a half-billion dollar budget hole in state health programs, Gov. Scott Walker’s administration wants to raise premiums sharply for some families and shift hundreds of thousands of residents to lower-cost state plans or private plans. Officials said they do not intend to leave participants without any path to coverage. State officials said there […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 09/30/2011]
Walker Chief-of-Staff quits just nine months into the job Keith Gilkes, the third top Walker aide to announce their resignation in recent months, said he’ll leave the $112,000-per-year chief of staff job Oct. 8. As Gilkes, 34, discussed the announcement’s timing, he noted promised efforts to recall the Republican governor over his push to strip away almost all public employee collective bargain rights. “As […] [Associated Press, 09/30/2011]
Van Hollen Refused to Investigate Walker’s ‘Cronygate’ MADISON, Wis. — Republican Attorney General JB Van Hollen, according to a news report today, refused to help the investigation into fellow Republican Scott Walker’s office in the scandal being called “Cronygate.” The refusal and silence of the state’s “top cop” to investigate his fellow Republican raises serious questions about Van Hollen’s conduct and warrants […] [One Wisconsin Now, 09/20/2011]
Walker Latest Scheme: Public Can Pay $50 to Hear His Job Ideas MADISON, Wis. — Gov. Scott Walker, facing a steadily-increasing state unemployment rate despite passing $2.3 billion in tax cuts to corporations and the wealthy, has announced his latest scheme: charge the public $50 to attend a state-sponsored “jobs summit.” Walker’s fee will likely restrict public access, particularly the unemployed and those in need of jobs. […] [One Wisconsin Now, 09/19/2011]
Walker’s fundraiser to restore mansion raises some eyebrows On Sept. 22, the governor and first lady will hold a private reception and croquet tournament at the governor’s mansion from 5 to 7 p.m. to raise money to help rehab the Maple Bluff facility. Attendees can donate anywhere from $50 to $1,000 to the mansion’s nonprofit foundation. Those who drop a grand get a […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 09/04/2011]
Legal fees soar for Wisconsin taxpayers over bargaining, redistricting \| GOP skips bids, pays up to $395 per hour The Capitol battles over union bargaining and political redistricting proposals have paid off for one group: politically connected GOP lawyers. So far this year, two firms with strong Republican connections have racked up more than $700,000 in invoices and payments authorized by Gov. Scott Walker and GOP lawmakers to help represent the state in cases […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 08/20/2011]
Will Governor Walker be recalled? 2012 is shaping up to be an interesting political year in Wisconsin. “I think the numbers show Governor Walker’s policies are wildly unpopular, and people want accountability,” said Scot Ross with One Wisconsin Now. [WTMJ-TV, 08/17/2011]
Wisconsin recalls: Is Gov. Scott Walker next? On Wednesday, Scot Ross, executive director of the liberal group One Wisconsin Now, called for the recall of Walker next year.”The damage Gov. Walker has inflicted on Wisconsin from a public policy standpoint is only surpassed by the painful division he has created in cities, towns, villages and families across Wisconsin. It is clear he […] [Star Tribune, 08/16/2011]
Wisconsin Progressives Push Forward to Gov. Scott Walker’s 2012 Recall One Wisconsin Now Executive Director Scot Ross joins Ed Schultz to discuss the 2012 recall effort against Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker. [MSNBC, 08/10/2011]
Recall Wins Show Governor Vulnerable Other leading Democrats and liberal activists were more ebullient about Tuesday’s results, saying the two Democratic wins showed Walker is weak and ripe for recall. “Gov. Walker remains the most divisive elected official the state of Wisconsin has had and people remain outraged about what he has done to divide our state,” said Scot Ross, […] [Houston Chronicle, 08/09/2011]
Walker says he’ll focus on bipartisanship, jobs To trigger a recall election of Walker, Democrats would need to gather 540,208 signatures, or one-quarter of the nearly 2.2 million votes cast in the 2010 gubernatorial election. Recall petitions cannot be circulated until early November and cannot be offered for filing with state elections officials until Jan. 3 of next year, according to the […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 08/09/2011]
Democrats Mull Recall of Gov. Walker Scot Ross, executive director of the liberal group One Wisconsin Now, said he believed there was still an appetite among Democrats to take on Walker in a recall election. “Gov. Walker has divided the state of Wisconsin like no other state official has and I think a recall of Scott Walker is still very real,” […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 08/09/2011]
Walker signs legislation to redraw district boundaries As elections took place Tuesday in six state Senate districts, Gov. Scott Walker privately signed legislation to redraw their boundaries along with the remaining legislative districts. Walker waited until nearly the last possible moment to announce he had signed the legislation, which will give Republicans an advantage in the upcoming 2012 elections for both the […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 08/09/2011]
Koch-Backed Group Buys $150k in TV Time for Wisconsin Ad Blitz Scot Ross, executive director of the progressive group One Wisconsin Now, called AFP’s new ad blitz “the granddaddy of corporate, big oil special interest money” and a last-ditch effort to salvage the GOP majority in the state senate. “The Koch brothers’ Americans for Prosperity has now dumped over $500,000 to pollute Wisconsin airwaves about the […] [Mother Jones, 07/28/2011]
GOP gives oversight of Administrative Rules to Walker in unprecedented power grab Introduced in January by the Joint Committee on Organization and approved by the Legislature in May, the act gives the governor new power over administrative rules and requires an economic analysis of all proposed regulations … Cullen Werwie, spokesman for Gov. Scott Walker, acknowledged Act 21 will lengthen the rule-making process. But he said the […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 07/27/2011]
Conservative group spent at least $1.5 million on recall ads, says liberal group Here’s something interesting from liberal blogger Greg Sargent at The Washington Post. [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 07/25/2011]
Politicized Department of Veterans Affairs & Appointed Crony as Secretary Walker signed into law a bill that politicizes the Department of Veterans Affairs by giving the governor authority to appoint the Secretary, rather than being selected by the Board of Veterans Affairs, as under prior law. Walker then appointed political crony, John Scocos, who had previously served as Secretary for six years, and was fired […] [2011 WI Act 36, 07/13/2011]
Walker broke campaign pledge and raised state fees to fill budget hole, including $107 million in tuition hikes on UW students In the 2011-13 budget, Walker increased fees by over $136 million: Eliminate registration exemption for certain investment advisors Certification fee for persons making title loans Nonprofit organization criminal history record check fee Beer wholesaler’s permit fee Vehicle title fee Class D skills test fee Electronic business transactions Firefighter and emergency medical technician license plates Tuition […] [Legislative Fiscal Bureau, 07/05/2011]
Stripped Public Workers of Collective Bargaining Rights Walker signed a bill that stripped all public workers, except police and firefighters, of their collective bargaining rights. The bill no longer allows teachers, nurses, snow plow drivers and other public employees to bargain on their work place conditions, benefits or for pay raises above the cost of inflation. In addition, unions have lost the […] [2011 WI Act 10, 06/28/2011]
GOP bill takes away local control over landlords; allows landlords to discriminate against poor people Madison 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]
Artwork shuffle at governor’s mansion raises eyebrows Earlier this year, the governor and first lady Tonette Walker took down Lenz’s painting “Wishes in the Wind,” a realistic portrait of three children – one black, one Hispanic and one white – playing with bubble wands on a Milwaukee street. Commissioned by the foundation that runs the governor’s Maple Bluff residence, the painting was […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 06/04/2011]
Move to create a “one-stop-shop” criticized by consumer protection advocates A proposed change in rule-making power criticized as an attack on consumer protection has been abandoned by the governor’s office. Defended by Gov. Scott Walker’s office because “it makes more sense” and would help create jobs, the change was dropped from the proposed budget in late March with the explanation it was included “inadvertently.”…[Consumer protection […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 05/31/2011]
Public backlash to the split ultimately killed the proposal to spin off UW-Madison Gov. Scott Walker’s proposal to break off the Madison campus from the rest of the University of Wisconsin System is dead. UW-Madison lobbyist Don Nelson said Friday talks continue with state lawmakers over what new flexibilities the Madison campus can be given to control its budget and make other decisions. But he said Walker’s proposal […] [Associated Press, 05/27/2011]
Walker Signed Law Requiring Photo ID to Vote Walker signed into law Assembly Bill 7, requiring photo identification to vote at a polling place or obtain an absentee ballot. On February 12, 2011, the Senate passed an amendment to SB 6 that changes Wisconsin’s voting laws and requires each eligible elector who attempts to register or to vote at the polls on election […] [2011 WI Act 23, 05/25/2011]
Walker’s rules take-over praised by state’s largest business lobby group The other bill he signed gives the governor veto powers over rules written by state agencies and other elected state officials. Democrats opposing it called it nothing but a power grab…Walker defended the change, which he proposed, saying it will make the rule-making process more accountable to the public. The move also won praise from […] [Associated Press, 05/24/2011]
Walker Stripped State Agencies of Rule-Making Authority Walker signed into law a bill that would strip state agencies of the power to create rules to enforce the statutes of Wisconsin law. Under current law, an agency may promulgate rules interpreting the provisions of any statute enforced or administered by the agency, if the agency considers it necessary to effectuate the purpose of […] [2011 WI Act 21, 05/23/2011]
Walker Quietly Consolidating Power In Wisconsin “It’s turning Wisconsin’s state government from a body that is charged with serving the needs of the people of Wisconsin, into making its first priority serving corporations — both inside and outside of Wisconsin,” added Scot Ross, executive director of the progressive group One Wisconsin Now. [Huffington Post, 05/16/2011]
Walker signed measure that would allow state to kick 70,000 off health care programs On May 11, 2011, Walker signed into law reckless health care cutbacks that would allow the state to cut up to 70,000 from Wisconsin health care programs, and could result in deep reductions in benefits for children and seniors. (January 2011 Special Session Assembly Bill 11; Assembly Roll Call; Senate Roll Call) [2011 WI Act 10, 05/11/2011]
Wisconsin Senators Paying Corporate ALEC Membership with Tax Dollars We obtained documents showing that 12 current Republican members of the State Senate are forcing you to pay the cost for their private membership in ALEC. [Scot Ross, 05/07/2011]
Walker Prevented Local Governments From Having Their Own Paid Sick Leave Laws Walker 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]
Walker appointed politically connected campaign volunteer with no relevant experience to county post Walker has taken heat for nominating Republican campaign worker Renee Miller to the Marinette County register of deeds position, despite Miller’s conspicuous lack of experience with either land or vital records. Miller has done campaign work for Marinette County Republican Rep. John Nygren and is married to Nygren’s campaign treasurer, Paul Miller. According to the […] [Isthmus, 04/29/2011]
Politically connected college drop-out with drunk driving convictions gets $81k political appointment McCabe points to Walker’s appointment of Brian Deschane to the state Department of Commerce as “an episode that opened some eyes.” Deschane, 27-year-old son of influential Republican lobbyist Jerry Deschane, was tapped to fill an $81,500-a-year position despite two drunk-driving convictions, little relevant experience and a lack of a college degree. A hubbub ensued, and […] [Isthmus, 04/29/2011]
Walker lobbies for GOP Senators in Florida Gov. Scott Walker spent this past weekend campaigning in Florida for FrontlineWisconsin.com, a national online fundraising effort to support the Republican state senators up for recall. Scot Ross, executive director of One Wisconsin Now, a progressive advocacy group, described Walker’s actions as “abominable.” “It’s one thing to sell out the middle class of Wisconsin in […] [Daily Cardinal, 04/12/2011]
Deschane was hired over candidates with a Ph.D. & 25 years experience The Department of Commerce recently hired Deschane, 27, as its new administrator of environmental and regulatory services – an $81,500-a-year job that supervises 76 employees and oversees storage tank regulations and environmental cleanups. Deschane never graduated from college and, according to his resume, has no discernible experience in the field. Yet according to documents provided […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 04/06/2011]
Politically connected college drop-out with drunk driving convictions gets $81k political appointment At the recommendation of Walker chief of staff Keith Gilkes, DRL Secretary David Ross appointed Deschane in January as bureau director of board services. A month later, Commerce Secretary Paul Jadin hired him at the recommendation of DRL Deputy Secretary John Scocos. [Wisconsin State Journal, 04/05/2011]
Donation questioned by group But Scot Ross, executive director of One Wisconsin Now, said in a statement that “once again, Wisconsin taxpayers are footing Gov. Walker’s handouts to special interest campaign contributors.” [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 04/04/2011]
Walker Returns $50,000 in Jack Links’-Related Contributions with $75,000 in Taxpayer Dollars MADISON, Wis. — Gov. Scott Walker has announced a $75,000 taxpayer-financed grant to a company, who along with its Chief Executive Officer, donated nearly $50,000 in 2010 to the Republican Governors Association, which spent $5 million to elect Walker governor, according to a figures obtained from the Internal Revenue Service by One Wisconsin Now. Walker […] [One Wisconsin Now, 04/04/2011]
Critics say budget proposal axing farmland preservation gives developers upper hand Farmland in western Wisconsin would be hit particularly hard by changes to a new farmland preservation program in Gov. Scott Walker’s proposed state budget, the leader of a state agriculture organization said…The farmland provision in the 2011-13 state budget would eliminate the Purchase of Agricultural Conservation Easement, or PACE, program, which permanently leases development rights […] [Eau Claire Leader-Telegram, 03/27/2011]
Despite Walker Efforts, State Supreme Court upheld the domestic partnership registry The Wisconsin Supreme Court upheld the state’s domestic partnership registry Thursday, ensuring same-sex couples will retain certain rights no matter how a federal court rules on the state’s constitutional amendment banning gay marriage. In a unanimous decision written by Justice N. Patrick Crooks, the court emphasized that proponents of the amendment, including Wisconsin Family Action […] [Capital Times, 03/24/2011]
Walker left defense of the state law to LGBT advocacy group After his 2010 election Walker fired Pines, leaving defense of the law up to gay rights advocate Fair Wisconsin and other interested parties that had intervened in the case. Pines said Thursday the state paid his firm $75,000 between Oct. 29, 2009, and June 28, 2011, for work on the case. [Capital Times, 03/24/2011]
Walker fired lawyers defending state domestic partnership registry law Gov. Scott Walker has fired the lawyers defending the state in a challenge to Wisconsin’s domestic partnership law. But the governor’s spokesman said his office “is still working to appoint a new counsel to the case.” Madison attorney Lester Pines informed Dane County Circuit Judge Daniel Moeser in a March 22 letter that his firm, […] [Capital Times, 03/24/2011]
Walker’s ($)1.3 Million Reasons for Funneling Seniors Out of SeniorCare MADISON, Wis. — An analysis by One Wisconsin Now shows that companies which currently administer Medicare Part D prescription drug plans in Wisconsin have donated in last several years $1.3 million to the campaigns of Gov. Scott Walker and the Republican Governors Association, which spent $5 million to elect Walker in 2010. Actions by Gov. […] [One Wisconsin Now, 03/22/2011]
Walker power grab replaces civil servants with political hires Gov. Scott Walker will be able to name political appointees to fill three dozen civil-service jobs that handle open records requests from the public under the budget-repair law he signed last week. Walker’s separate 2011-’13 budget proposal would also make a political appointment out of another key civil service job – the top lawyer spot […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 03/18/2011]
One Wisconsin Now Statements on WMC’s ‘Buy Wisconsin’ Corporate Campaign MADISON, Wis. — One Wisconsin Now Executive Director Scot Ross released the following statements regarding Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce’s “Buy Wisconsin” campaign, designed to try and drown out the statewide outrage over businesses that have supported Gov. Scott Walker’s efforts to put corporations in charge of Wisconsin’s government and take as much money from education, […] [One Wisconsin Now, 03/16/2011]
Protests target M&I But the principal hasn’t been paid back yet. Unions and liberal groups like One Wisconsin Now are also upset that M & I executives gave more money to Scott Walker during last year’s governor’s race, than the officials did to Democrat Tom Barrett. [Superior Telegram, 03/15/2011]
Over Two Weeks Later, Walker Has Not Released Administration-Koch Lobbyist Communication Emails MADISON, Wis. — Over two weeks after One Wisconsin Now filed an open records request for all email and written communications between Koch Industries’ lead Wisconsin lobbyist and the office of Gov. Scott Walker and the Department of Administration, the Walker administration has yet to fulfill the request. One Wisconsin Now said it is considering […] [One Wisconsin Now, 03/10/2011]
Gov. Scott Walker Refusing To Release Details Of Contacts With Koch Industries Over two weeks after receiving a request from One Wisconsin Now, Walker’s administration has refused to release details of its contacts with lobbyists from Koch Industries, run by billionaire arch-conservatives Charles and David Koch. The group requested “all email and written communications between Koch Industries’ lead Wisconsin lobbyist and the office of Gov. Scott Walker […] [Think Progress, 03/10/2011]
Records, please But not all observers are chuckling. The Madison-based liberal group, One Wisconsin Now, has adopted a frowny watchdog visage: Last week it filed a records request with Walker’s office seeking “all written communications and records of scheduled meetings between Koch Industries’ top in-state lobbyist and the office of Gov. Scott Walker, his former transition office […] [Milwaukee News Buzz, 02/27/2011]
One Wisconsin Now on Monday’s Mobilization Activities Outside State Capitol MADISON, Wis. — One Wisconsin Now Executive Director Scot Ross issued the following statements regarding Gov. Scott Walker’s efforts to close the State Capitol off to the people of Wisconsin and the continued mobilization against his efforts to use the government to take away the rights of working men and women and dismantle the quality […] [One Wisconsin Now, 02/27/2011]
One Wisconsin Now Statements on the People’s Victory Over Gov. Walker’s Efforts to Close Capitol MADISON, Wis. — One Wisconsin Now Executive Director Scot Ross released the following statements regarding the failure of Gov. Scott Walker’s plan to close the State Capitol to hundreds of protesters who had intended to sleep in the Capitol for a 13th night in solidarity against the governor’s disastrous budget repair plan. “Gov. Walker had […] [One Wisconsin Now, 02/26/2011]
As Governor, his signature achievement – ending collective bargaining for public employees – was a result of a bill passed in the middle of the night It took a sneak attack in the early morning hours on Friday for Republicans in the Wisconsin Assembly to pass Gov. Scott Walker’s controversial budget bill, the one that would eliminate collective bargaining rights for most public-sector unions. Assembly Democrats savaged their counterparts for ramming the bill through at just past 1 a.m., screaming “shame!” […] [Mother Jones, 02/25/2011]
Walker proposed taking away most legislative oversight of BadgerCare; turning decision-making over to DHS Secretary Appleton Post Crescent Editorial: Prescription for trouble / Agency would make decisions on medical assistance: Gov. Scott Walker’s budget repair bill has another provision that can have a huge impact on people who have little voice. The provision authorizes the state Department of Health Services to make changes in medical assistance programs, such as the […] [Appleton Post-Crescent, 02/24/2011]
Liberal group files open records request against Walker One Wisconsin Now, a liberal activist group, today filed an open records request for all written communications and records of scheduled meetings between Koch Industries’ top in-state lobbyist and Walker’s office, his former transition office and the Wisconsin Department of Administration. [Biz Times, 02/23/2011]
One Wisconsin Now Files Open Records Request for Walker Administration-Koch Lobbyist Communications MADISON, Wis. — One Wisconsin Now filed an open records request today for all written communications and records of scheduled meetings between Koch Industries’ top in-state lobbyist and the office of Gov. Scott Walker, his former transition office and the Wisconsin Department of Administration. Koch Industries’ billionaire owners Charles and David Koch are the driving […] [One Wisconsin Now, 02/23/2011]
Group Files Open Records Request for Walker Administration-Koch Lobbyist Communications One Wisconsin Now filed an open records request today for all written communications and records of scheduled meetings between Koch Industries’ top in-state lobbyist and the office of Gov. Scott Walker, his former transition office and the Wisconsin Department of Administration. [ [WSAW, 02/23/2011]
Proposed breaking UW-Madison away from System, appoint most of UW Board Republican Gov. Scott Walker would appoint a majority of a board that would run the University of Wisconsin-Madison independently of UW System governance under a plan spelled out in a document released Wednesday by UW-Madison officials. Because Walker would make those appointments, splitting UW-Madison from the UW System would give the new governor influence over […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 02/23/2011]
Walker proposed no-bid sales of state-owned power plants; removed provision from final bill after public backlash; Koch denies they would gain from power plant sale A lesser-known provision of Wisconsin’s budget-repair bill would allow the state to sell off publicly owned power plants in no-bid deals – prompting a flurry of speculation by liberal bloggers who allege that Gov. Scott Walker is attempting a giveaway to energy conglomerate Koch Industries…Koch insists it doesn’t stand to gain from the legislation, and […] [Politico, 02/23/2011]
The Selling of Wisconsin: Enter Koch Brothers’ Bag Man Jeffrey Schoepke Much has recently been made of the revelation that Koch Industries was Walker’s second biggest supporter, ponying up $43,000 and giving $1 million to the Republican Governor’s Association, which itself spent $65,000 on supporting Walker (and $3.4 million against his opponent). All of this was actually noted way back in September, 2010, by Scot Ross […] [The Awl, 02/22/2011]
What does Governor of Wisconsin Scott Walker really want? One Wisconsin Now, the progressive watchdog group that has provided the closest monitoring of Walker’s budgetary gamesmanship, explains: “Since his inauguration in early January, Walker has approved $140 million in new special-interest [Unions, 02/16/2011]
Governors wise to secure prisons Scot Ross, head of the liberal advocacy group One Wisconsin Now, said: “No Wisconsin governor has deployed the military against public employees as far back as the 1930s, showing just how radical the steps are that Gov. Walker is taking to consolidate his power.” [Wisconsin State Journal, 02/15/2011]
Walker’s budget roils state politics and government Scot Ross of the liberal group One Wisconsin Now said no governor has used the military against public employees as far back as the 1930’s. He said current events show “just how radical the steps are that Gov. Walker is taking to consolidate his power.” [RiverTowns.net, 02/14/2011]
Misconceptions spread over National Guard’s role in Walker budget proposal “No Wisconsin Governor has deployed the military against public employees as far back as the 1930s, showing just how radical the steps are that Gov. Walker is taking to consolidate his power,” said Scot Ross, executive director of the liberal group One Wisconsin Now. [Wisconsin State Journal, 02/13/2011]
Bill Called “Power Grab” That Gives Governor Too Much Power Legislation which gives the governor sweeping oversight of the state’s rule making authority has passed the state Senate, meaning another Special Session bill will soon be ready for Governor Scott Walker’s signature. The state Senate passed the bill Thursday. It’s a ‘power grab’ that cuts the legislature out of the process according to Madison Democrat […] [Wisconsin Radio Network, 02/11/2011]
Walker Concocts ‘Scoop and Toss’ Borrowing Scheme to Pay for $140 Million in Special Interest Spending Madison— Republican Gov. Scott Walker plans to pay for $140 million in new special interest spending signed into law in January by extending the state’s long term debt in a “scoop and toss” refinancing scheme that will cost untold tens of millions of dollars in additional debt for Wisconsin. “Scott Walker railed non-stop against budget […] [One Wisconsin Now, 02/10/2011]
Walker falsely claimed tort reform was employers’ top issue In trying to tie the lawsuit reforms to job creation, Walker asserted the issue is “one of the most important factors” when businesses are deciding to expand or invest in Wisconsin. That’s a major overreach. He cited a series of national surveys, which show it’s a concern but lack Wisconsin data and don’t weigh how […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 02/02/2011]
ALEC Commends Gov. Walker Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R-WI) signed into law today Special Session Senate Bill 1, legislation aimed at reforming the state’s civil justice system. The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) commended newly-elected Gov. Walker and the new Wisconsin legislature for their leadership in responding quickly to their mandate to restore business confidence and for making tort […] [ALEC, 01/27/2011]
Walker Gave Senator Job After He Voted Against State Employee Contracts Former Democratic Sen. Jeff Plale, who voted against his party during a lame duck session on state contracts last month, has joined the administration of Republican Gov. Scott Walker. Plale will earn $90,000 a year as the administrator of the Division of State Facilities, according to the Department of Administration. Critics speculated a Walker administration […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 01/20/2011]
How Will Walker Celebrate Wisconsin ‘CEO Pay Freedom Day’? MADISON, Wis. — Today is the day the chief executive officers of Wisconsin’s publicly-traded companies have on average earned as much as the median household will earn in Wisconsin this year. One Wisconsin Now is wondering how Gov. Scott Walker will highlight the day as part of his effort to hand over the state’s regulatory […] [One Wisconsin Now, 01/06/2011]
Walker, officials celebrate at inaugural ball, new governor’s work begins One Wisconsin Now held a separate music show in Madison last night to raise money for relief groups and food pantries. Director Scot Ross said about 350 people showed up. Walker’s inaugural ceremony at the Capitol did collect food for Milwaukee’s Hunger Task Force. [Pierce County Herald, 01/03/2011]
‘Rock the Pantry’ Raises Nearly $4,000 for Charity MADISON, Wis. — One Wisconsin Now’s progressive rally “Rock the Pantry” will result in nearly $4,000 being donated to the Wisconsin efforts of Feeding America. Progressives held the rally in response to Republican Gov. Scott Walker’s big-money campaign and political party fundraising inaugural, as well as to send an unmistakable message that progressives will fight […] [One Wisconsin Now, 01/03/2011]
Hundreds attend Wisconsin inaugural ball Liberal groups like One Wisconsin Now slammed Walker for not giving the ball’s proceeds to charity, like Democrat Jim Doyle did in his two inaugurals. [WSAU-TV, 01/03/2011]
Plenty of activities planned for Inauguration Day Tonight in Madison, while the new governor is attending the Inaugural Ball, members of the group One Wisconsin Now will hold a charity fund raiser. Scot Ross is executive director. “One of the impetuses for doing this is we were really disappointed when Governor-elect Walker decided to turn his inaugural events into partisan political fundraisers,” […] [WUWM-FM, 01/02/2011]
First the dance, then work Walker took some criticism from liberal groups such as One Wisconsin Now for not sending the proceeds of the ball to charity, as Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle had done in his inaugural events. Doyle’s events benefited Boys & Girls Clubs around Wisconsin, providing them $233,000 in 2003 and $323,000 in 2007. [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 01/02/2011]
Walker’s not-so-quiet power grabs Scot Ross, executive director of One Wisconsin Now, echoes Miller’s thoughts. “This is an unprecedented power grab to undercut the Legislature,” says Ross. “That is a pretty big warning sign for people in the Capitol.” Ross says Walker’s proposal to circumvent the authority of government agencies would turn the governor’s office into “the state’s largest […] [Capital Times, 01/02/2011]
Walker Put Reading Task Force Outside of Department of Public Instruction In the budget, Walker allocated $1.2 million to the creation of a reading task force to reside within the GOP controlled Department of Administration, rather than in the Department of Public Instruction, where the secretary is democratically elected and accountable to the voters, not Governor Walker. Walker has since used that task force as his […] [Department of Administration, 01/01/2011]
One Wisconsin Now’s ‘Rock the Pantry’ Set for Monday Progressives are ready to challenge Scott Walker as he pulls out the failed economic policy playbook that tanked our national economy. [One Wisconsin Now, 12/30/2010]
One Wisconsin Now Statements on Latest Walker Corporate Welfare Plan MADISON, Wis. — One Wisconsin Now released the following statements regarding Gov.-elect Scott Walker’s plan to put corporate special interests in charge of he taxpayer-financed Wisconsin Department of Commerce. “Scott Walker is determined to rerun every play out of George W. Bush’s job-killing economic playbook and hand over our state’s treasury and regulatory authority to […] [One Wisconsin Now, 12/27/2010]
One Wisconsin Now Statements on Walker’s Corporate Regulatory Giveaway MADISON, Wis. — One Wisconsin Now Executive Director Scot Ross released the following statements about Gov.-elect Scott Walker’s regulatory reform plan to reward corporate campaign donors by allowing them to rewrite state regulations. “Scott Walker’s regulatory plan is to turn the governor’s office into the state’s largest lobbyist waiting room. This is an unprecedented power […] [One Wisconsin Now, 12/20/2010]
Walker keeping inaugural donations Republican Gov.-elect Scott Walker plans to give any excess money raised for his inauguration to his campaign fund and the state Republican Party instead of to charity in a move that drew ridicule Wednesday. Outgoing Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle donated all the extra money raised for his two inaugurations to the nonprofit Boys and Girls […] [Associated Press, 12/01/2010]
GOPromiseBreakers: Will Walker, Kleefisch, RoJo, Duffy, Ribble Take Government-Subsidized Health Care? One Wisconsin Now is calling for them to publicly announce whether or not they will be taking advantage of government-subsidized health care in their newly-elected positions. [One Wisconsin Now, 11/15/2010]
Walker Goes Over $500,000 in Improperly-Reported Contributions MADISON, Wis. — Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker has violated the state of Wisconsin’s campaign finance laws 1,115 times since 2009 by failing to disclose information about contributors who donated more than $100. Walker’s serial offenses include 456 contributions filed in the last 72 hours totaling nearly $284,000. The total contributions in violation of Wisconsin […] [One Wisconsin Now, 10/24/2010]
Will Walker Finally Say How He Will Pay for $3 Billion in Tax Cuts, Loopholes, Shift for Rich, Big Business? MADISON, Wis. — Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker remains unwilling to identify the cuts to education, health care, police and fire protection he would make to pay for nearly $3 billion in tax cuts, loopholes and shifts he has proposed, which overwhelmingly benefit the rich and big business. The $3 billion tab is in addition […] [One Wisconsin Now, 09/15/2010]
One WI Now files GAB complaint over Walker’s repeated violation of campaign reporting law MADISON, Wis. — Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker has violated the state of Wisconsin’s campaign finance laws more than 650 times since 2009 by failing to disclose information about contributors who donated more than $100, according to a formal complaint filed Tuesday with the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board. One Wisconsin Now’s research, compiled from the […] [One Wisconsin Now, 09/07/2010]
Walker aide’s tweet brings racism charge Democrats are accusing Republican gubernatorial candidate Scott Walker of racism after a campaign aide tweeted a link to a video that some found offensive.Walker spokeswoman Jill Bader quickly took down the offending Twitter post and apologized Monday, but Democrats continued their assault Tuesday, demanding that Walker, the Milwaukee County executive, personally address the issue. MSNBC […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 08/17/2010]
Once Again, Walker Violating Campaign Finance Laws; This Time Over $120,000 in Improperly Reported Contributions MADISON, Wis. — Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker’s gubernatorial campaign failed to report the required employer information of donors giving him over $120,000 – the second time in a year he has filed a report with this level of inaccuracy. Under chapter 11.60(1) of the Wisconsin Statutes, each violation can result in a $500 civil […] [One Wisconsin Now, 07/20/2010]
Budget Deficit Grows, Walker Still Refuses to Say How He’ll Pay for Tax Cuts, Shifts MADISON, Wis. — Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker still refuses to say how he will finance a budget-busting $3-billion tax cut and shift scheme that would slash funds from education, health care, and police and fire protection “¢ even after the non-partisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau says the state deficit is an even-larger $2.5 billion for […] [One Wisconsin Now, 07/11/2010]
Walker’s Legislative Finance Team Called for More Spending than Governor MADISON, Wis. — Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker’s self-appointed tax and spend team in the state legislature, Republicans Robin Vos and Alberta Darling, both called for more General Purpose Revenue funding than requested by Gov. Jim Doyle in state budgets in the past several years. Over the weekend Walker claimed Vos and Darling, who have […] [One Wisconsin Now, 06/22/2010]
Walker’s Latest Gimmick: Cut 29,000 Jobs; Slash Worker Pay 42 Percent Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker refuses to detail how he will pay for his nearly $2 billion in tax cuts that overwhelmingly benefit the rich and big business. [One Wisconsin Now, 06/14/2010]
Neumann Finds Ally in Gard for Irresponsible Tax Cuts Paid for By Health Care Cuts MADISON, Wis. — Former GOP Madison U.S. Rep. Mark Neumann has found a willing advocate in former divisive GOP Madison Assembly Speaker and twice-failed congressional candidate, John Gard, for his irresponsible tax plan that would slash income taxes only for the top one percent of income earners and reopen the corporate loophole for bankers and […] [One Wisconsin Now, 05/11/2010]
In Assembly, Walker Voted to Allow Late-Night Lawmaking, Later Claimed to be Against It “Republican gubernatorial candidate Scott Walker voted to allow late-night lawmaking when he was a member of the Assembly even though he rails against the practice now. Walker joined with the Republican majority in January 1997 to eliminate a rule that required lawmakers to finish their floor sessions at 8 p.m., voting records show. Republican lawmakers […] [Associated Press, 04/24/2010]
During his 2010 gubernatorial campaign, Walker endorsed halt to Legislature’s late-night votes Last week, when the Assembly pulled two all-nighters, lawmakers became an easy target of critics who said that late-night lawmaking is not the way to do the state’s business. One of those who criticized the practice was Republican candidate for governor Scott Walker, who said he would sign legislation as governor that would forbid the […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 03/26/2010]
Former Mayor Called Walker Claim that He Landed GE Headquarters Overblown ‘Revisionist History’ “One recent dust-up involves Walker’s talk of his help in landing GE Healthcare’s $85 million headquarters in the Milwaukee County Research Park in Wauwatosa in 2004. But the former mayor of Wauwatosa said Walker’s part in the project is overblown. ‘That’s a good piece of revisionist history,’ said Theresa M. Estness, who was mayor of […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 03/21/2010]
Walker Attacked Doyle for Not Giving Walker Donor Contract for Train “Republican candidate for governor Scott Walker accused Democratic leaders of stifling the Milwaukee job market by buying trains from a Spanish company rather than from a local train maker run by one of his big-dollar donors. Walker, the Milwaukee County executive, said Super Steel Products Corp. could have built the high-speed trains in Milwaukee. …Walker’s […] [Associated Press, 03/18/2010]
Walker’s Talgo ‘Outrage’ Paved with $150,000 in GOP Contributions from Super Steel Owner MADISON, Wis. — Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker’s criticism related to the Talgo company comes just two weeks after the company owned by a top Walker campaign donor and finance co-chair of his failed 2006 gubernatorial campaign did not receive a contract from the Spanish train maker. Walker’s criticism, in which he also leveled charges […] [One Wisconsin Now, 03/16/2010]
Walker Signs No-Tax Pledge of Americans for Tax Reform “Republican candidate for governor Scott Walker has signed a pledge to veto any tax increase. Walker, the Milwaukee County executive, signed the pledge by Americans for Tax Reform to ‘oppose and veto any and all efforts to increase taxes.’ That pledge created headaches in 2007 for Republicans when they controlled the state Assembly and ultimately […] [Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, 03/15/2010]
Walker Claimed to ‘Brown Bag’ It While Spending Thousands on High-End Restaurants Despite touting a campaign website, BrownBagMovement.com to tout his frugality, “Walker’s campaign has spent thousands of dollars on food and beverages, including at high-end restaurants, even as it launches a public relations blitz to promote his claim that he’s so frugal he packs his lunch every day, an Associated Press review found. The campaign’s bills […] [Associated Press, 03/14/2010]
In 2010, Jeb Bush Stumped for Walker “Republican candidate for governor, Scott Walker is getting some help from a well-connected former governor. Jeb Bush, the former Florida governor, brother of former president George W. Bush and son of former president George Bush, was in Milwaukee Monday campaigning for Walker. Walker says he is glad to have Jeb Bush campaigning for him because […] [WKOW-TV, 03/09/2010]
County Board Supervisors Accused Walker of Overstepping His Authority in Laying Off 76 Workers, Privatizing Their Jobs “Irate supervisors said Wednesday that Walker overstepped his authority by laying off 76 workers, including the security personnel, and some vowed to try to stop him from privatizing courthouse security. Walker’s unilateral actions created an emergency that didn’t exist, said Supervisor Michael Mayo Sr. He said the legal argument justifying Walker’s actions under emergency statutory […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 03/03/2010]
Walker Takes $120,000 from Health Industry, Opposes End to Health Insurance Stranglehold MADISON, Wis. — Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker has strongly opposed measures to provide more Wisconsin children, pregnant mothers and uninsured adults have affordable health care, at the same time taking more than $120,000 in campaign contributions from the health care industry in just the last six months alone. “The health insurance industry knows they […] [One Wisconsin Now, 02/03/2010]
Walker Campaign Inaccurately Claimed His Finance Report Crashed GAB Computer “The Walker campaign claimed the county executive’s report was so hefty it had ‘crashed’ the state’s campaign finance computer. However, Government Accountability Board spokesman Reid Magney said the system had not crashed. ‘Everything’s fine,’ Magney said. ‘The system was not brought to a grinding halt.’” [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 02/02/2010]
County Supervisors Said Walker Failed to Market Financing Aid Available to Boost Economic Development “Milwaukee County supervisors faulted County Executive Scott Walker on Monday, saying he hadn’t developed a plan or designated staff to promote financing aid that could boost local economic development. Two major federal lending programs could be tapped by the county to assist private developers by lowering borrowing costs, but the county has been slow to […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 01/26/2010]
State of Shock: Milwaukee County’s Suffering Under Scott Walker’s Failed Leadership MADISON, Wis. — If Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker is interested in providing an honest assessment in his 2010 “state of the county” address, it will be a long apology to the people of Milwaukee County for his failed leadership, skewed priorities and playing politics with county operations. “Under Scott Walker, the state of Milwaukee […] [One Wisconsin Now, 01/11/2010]
Union Leader Says Walker Has Scapegoated County Employees For Years “Richard Abelson, head of the county’s largest union, wasn’t buying ‘this new soft, gentle and fluffy Scott Walker.’ Walker’s layoff remarks mean little and are likely aimed at voters in next year’s governor’s race, said Abelson, executive director of District Council 48 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. Walker is the […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 12/29/2009]
Walker Gave County Custodial Contract to Campaign Donor “Edward Aprahamian, the owner of a West Allis janitorial firm, inherits the job of cleaning the Milwaukee County courthouse complex and other buildings as the county privatizes its custodial staff. …The county last week awarded MidAmerican Building Services a $1.2 million contract for cleaning the courthouse and nine other Milwaukee County buildings, picking it over […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 12/14/2009]
Walker Said Layoffs Were the Only Option, But Later Rescinded Them “Memo to Milwaukee County employees: Never mind. That was the upshot of a Friday session that ended with a new deal to avert the Thanksgiving layoffs of 180 county workers intended to avoid a 2009 budget shortfall. Notices had already been sent to those targeted for layoffs by County Executive Scott Walker. But Walker told […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 10/31/2009]
Supervisors Accused Walker of Concealing Deficit-Causing Change in State Medical Care “Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker’s plan to temporarily lay off up to 180 employees as a last-ditch move to balance this year’s budget prompted finger-pointing and shouting Thursday from county supervisors. …Supervisors accused Walker of mismanagement and his department heads of hiding what appears to be one of the major causes of the county’s 2009 […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 10/30/2009]
Walker ‘Pleased to Announce’ Receiving Federal Funds, Despite Opposition to Federal Stimulus “County Executive Scott Walker is pleased to announce that the Milwaukee County Behavioral Health Division-Wraparound Milwaukee program, in partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services, was notified that it is one of only seven communities in the U.S. to be a recipient of a $2.4 million, 5-year Healthy Transitions grant -$480,000 per […] [Milwaukee County Executive, 09/16/2009]
Walker Finance Reports Fail to Provide Required Employer Data for Over $172,000 in Donations “Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker did not provide the required names of employers for more than 260 donors in his most recent filing in his campaign for governor. Walker’s campaign said it has taken all necessary steps to get the information from those who gave more than $100, as required by law. One Wisconsin Now […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 08/12/2009]
Over $172,000 in Scott Walker Contributions Violate Campaign Finance Reporting Laws MADISON, Wis. — Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker’s gubernatorial campaign failed to report the required employer information of top donors who gave him over $172,000 – a violation affecting one of every six dollars he took in his first finance period. Under chapter 11.60(1) of the Wisconsin Statutes, each violation can result in a $500 […] [One Wisconsin Now, 08/10/2009]
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]
Arbitrator Ruled Walker Exceeded Authority In Cutting Employee Hours and Failed to Show County Was in Fiscal Crisis “Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker exceeded his authority in attempting to unilaterally cut union employees’ hours as a budget-cutting move, according to an arbitrator’s ruling issued Wednesday.” [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 07/02/2009]
Walker Intended to Use Wage Freezes & Shortened Work Weeks to Address County’s Shortfall of $15 Million in 2009 and $90 Million in 2010 “Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker on Friday added an employee wage freeze to his growing arsenal of tools aimed at avoiding large budget shortfalls. But as with other ideas he’s broached — most notably a 35-hour work week and accompanying pay cuts — the county executive ran into immediate resistance and accusations he’s playing politics […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 05/29/2009]
Walker Took Credit for Summer Youth Employment Program He Had Vetoed “Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker acknowledged Friday it was too late to apply for 350 county summer jobs he highlighted in an outdoor ceremony at Washington Park on the city’s west side. …Walker vetoed $100,000 of the funding for the program in the 2009 budget, but the County Board overrode the veto on a 15-4 […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 05/29/2009]
Walker Ordered Weekly Unpaid Furloughs for County Employees “Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker on Thursday ordered five-hour weekly unpaid furloughs for most county employees through the rest of 2009 as a way of offsetting a projected $15 million deficit this year…Walker’s shorter workweek order affects at least half the county workforce, including managers. The cut also could be extended to 60% or more […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 05/14/2009]
Walker Hosts Annual Harley Ride Throughout Wisconsin “This year’s Harley ride for Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker will be different. Sure, he’s motoring to the far corners of Wisconsin and dipping briefly into Michigan, Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois. And he’s also extolling the virtues of tourism in Milwaukee at about three dozen stops, just as he has for the previous five iterations […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 04/22/2009]
Walker used creative veto power of the Vanna veto “Walker stitched together random letters and even spaces from paragraphs of 2009 budget text, as amended by the County Board, to create new meaning …‘Vanna White’ vetoes -grabbing letters like the game show hostess from a piece of text to form new words- are still fair game for Walker. He limited his creative veto impulses […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 11/19/2008]
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]
Walker delayed hiring of green building projects position for over a year “Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker came under fire Tuesday for delays in hiring the county’s first engineer to oversee the county’s ‘green’ building projects. Although the position was created in July 2007 and money was set aside for it in this year’s budget, the job remains vacant.” [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 10/29/2008]
Walker Backed Down from Top County Aide’s 26 Percent Pay Hike “Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker said Wednesday that he would drop his request for a 26% pay increase for his chief of staff, Tom Nardelli, at least until after work on the 2009 county budget is finished. Walker said he didn’t want the unilateral authority to raise Nardelli’s pay by $20,000 a year to $95,000, […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 10/09/2008]
Walker’s County Budgets are ‘Political Shell Game’ “In recent budgets, Walker has been playing a political shell game. He makes taxpayers think the county can get by with what it spent the previous year when it can’t. To prevent more cuts in needed services, supervisors then are forced to raise the levy, last year by 3.6%. So Walker takes bows as a […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 03/30/2008]
Budget Walker Vetoed for Allegedly Not Being Balanced Actually Resulted in a $7 Million Surplus “Supervisors point out that it now appears their 2007 budget, which Walker vetoed — claiming it was not balanced – will result in a $7 million surplus.” [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 03/30/2008]
Wal-Mart family gave to Walker in County Executive Race “In racking up his huge financial advantage in the Milwaukee County executive race, incumbent Scott Walker drew his three largest donations from members of the founding family of Wal-Mart Corp. The $7,500 in total from Jim, Christy and Lynne Walton were in recognition of his support for school choice, one issue that doesn’t fall under […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 02/13/2008]
County Pension Boss Fired After Harassment Inquiry; He Says He Was Ousted for Opposing Walker, Alleging Improprieties “The Milwaukee County retirement manager challenging County Executive Scott Walker for re-election has been fired as a result of a harassment investigation, officials said Wednesday. Jack Hohrein, who led the county’s pension program since 2005, was notified late Monday, said county Corporation Counsel William Domina. …Hohrein said the timing of his termination — within hours […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 12/06/2007]
While Walker Campaigned for Higher Office, County Struggled “Unfortunately, the current county executive, career politician Scott Walker, can’t wait to get out of Milwaukee. He tried to run for governor last year. He’s busy attaching himself to presidential campaigns this year, in hopes of getting appointed to some federal job. Walker’s lack of attention to a county government that serves more people, manages […] [Capital Times, 08/22/2007]
Walker Campaign Returned Donations from Levine & Hurtgen After Indictments “Also getting refunds would be Stuart Levine and P. Nicholas Hurtgen, indicted in Illinois on charges related to a scheme to deny hospitals permits to expand unless they hired a favored construction firm, and Ernest J. Streu and Michael J. Maples, who pleaded guilty in 2004 to rigging Wisconsin road building contracts. The refunds total […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 01/12/2006]
Walker Protected Political Allies from Liability in Pension Scandal Suit “…Milwaukee officials are considering suing the actuaries behind the pension scandal, which has seen more than $100 million paid out to retiring county officials and employees. But the actuaries weren’t the county’s only advisers. The county also paid lawyers with the firm of Reinhart, Boerner, Van Dueren for advice and counsel. Yet, the Milwaukee Journal […] [Capital Times, 02/23/2005]
Law Firm Walker Protected in Pension Suit Gave Him Campaign Contributions “Graber said he expected no favors in the process, despite their political connections. Under Graber, the state Republican Party contributed $50,000 to Walker’s campaign in the final days of his re-election race against David Reimer last April, county records show. … Graber and Reinhart Attorney Steve Huff have made 10 separate donations to Walker’s campaign […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 02/21/2005]
Elections Board Questioned Walker’s Use of Campaign Funds to Lobby County Board “In a related development, a lawyer with the state Elections Board advised the Walker campaign to make a case to county election officials justifying its planned use of campaign funds for lobbying on the issue. The Walker campaign has sought donations from the public to fund a massive phone-call operation aimed at getting residents to […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 01/07/2005]
Walker Refused to Sign Pledge to Serve Full Term as County Executive “Scott Walker declined to sign a pledge Wednesday to serve out a full term if reelected Milwaukee County executive, calling it a ‘non-issue.’… Walker, who has made no secret of his interest in exploring a race for governor in 2006, called the four-year length of term arbitrary…Said Walker: “I have absolutely no intention at this […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 02/26/2004]
Walker pulls mural from Courthouse rotunda Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker on Friday directed that a newly hung mural depicting African-American struggles be taken down from the Courthouse’s busy public rotunda and moved to a low-traffic area…The controversy stunned officials at the Haggerty Museum of Art at Marquette University. They recently lent the mural to Milwaukee County, and had exhibited it […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 05/09/2003]
Walker Hired Aide Who Was Named In Caucus Scandal “A former Capitol aide whose campaign fund-raising efforts as a state employee were cited in pending cases against two lawmakers now serves on the Milwaukee County executive’s staff. Greg Reiman worked for former Assembly Speaker Scott Jensen, R-Waukesha, and Rep. Bonnie Ladwig, R-Racine, who were accused in October of directing Reiman and another state-paid worker […] [Associated Press, 03/01/2003]
Walker Attacked “Consensus” in First Run for County Executive “I’ve stressed (at recent forums) that at any other time in the history of the county, it may have been effective to have someone who is a consensus-building-type manager with that experience. But I really don’t think to have the kind of change people are demanding, it’s just a matter of trying to build consensus. […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 04/21/2002]
In 2002, Walker’s Willingness to Do or Say Anything to Get Elected Noted Ironically, the top vote getter to succeed Ament in last week’s primary was a Madison insider who has no trouble changing political positions on a whim depending on what office he is running for. State Rep. Scott Walker, who finished first, used to be considered an extreme right-wing politician. Whether he continues to hold any […] [Capital Times, 04/13/2002]
Walker’s Attack on County Executive Opponent Called ‘Unfair’ The first jabs have been delivered in the race for county executive, but whether they connect or not will depend on the same people who will determine the outcome on April 30 — the voters….Walker’s first ad did not mention Ryan by name, instead emphasizing his reform plans and saying that voters against change “prefer […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 04/06/2002]
Some Recall Efforts Are Good, Like the One That Put Walker on Path to Election as Milwaukee County Executive We are obviously very pleased, not only because of the victory but because this is really a reaction to the public starting this whole movement. In many ways I feel the people of Milwaukee County had a victory tonight. [Associated Press, 04/02/2002]
“Bipartisan” and “Walker” Not Words Often Used Together, Even As State Legislator, According to Democrats Walker sees himself now as a somewhat less doctrinaire version of the 25-year-old who first went to Madison: still firmly in the ranks of conservatives but pragmatic when it makes sense to compromise. He points to a bill on moving the state’s presidential primary back to February and a ‘healthy babies’ initiative as examples of […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 03/29/2002]
Walker Always Courted the Media Walker also brings to the county race the accumulated exposure of his nearly nine years in the state Assembly, a tenure marked by an ardent courting of media coverage. ‘Some members are probably envious that they don’t have the ability or don’t want to do the things Walker’ does to keep his name in front […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 03/29/2002]
Scott Walker’s Early, Early Years: Organized “Jesus USA” Club, Raised Money At age 7, Scott Walker formed a ‘Jesus USA’ club in tiny Plainfield, Iowa, a farming community a half hour north of Waterloo where his father was the local Baptist pastor … The young Walker mounted a successful door-to-door fund drive for a state flag for the village hall, recalls Walker’s father, the Rev. Llewelyn […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 03/29/2002]
Walker Did Not Return to School, Worked for the Red Cross The IBM job led to a better job at the Red Cross in marketing and fundraising. One thing led to another: Marriage, to his wife, Tonette, and eventually two children, Matt, now 7, and Alex, 6. [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 03/29/2002]
Walker Drops Out of Marquette to Pursue Political Ambitions With a part-time job at IBM selling warranties on mainframe computers as well as the Assembly race competing for his attention, Walker left Marquette in the final semester of his senior year in 1990. He got the “essence of a Marquette education” in his 3 1/2 years there, Walker says. [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 03/29/2002]
Walker Eyed Statewide Office in 2001, But Was Not Tapped for Lieutenant Governor Last year Walker aspired to be named lieutenant governor by Gov. Scott McCallum but was passed over in favor of Margaret Farrow, a former state senator. [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 03/29/2002]
Walker Learns Lessons From Early Electoral Setbacks Walker’s election to the Assembly in 1993 followed two campaign defeats. As a student at Marquette University, he ran for student president and lost to a write-in candidate, a tough but valuable lesson, he says. [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 03/29/2002]
Walker Moved Into District to Run for State Assembly in 1993 In 1993, he got another chance at politics when an Assembly seat opened in predominantly Republican Wauwatosa. Walker moved to Tosa and this time he won, beating Chris Ament, son of the former county executive. [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 03/29/2002]
Walker Takes a (Rare) Pass on Run for Higher Office in 2000 When friends suggested he challenge then-County Executive F. Thomas Ament in 2000, Walker says, he immediately rejected the notion, fearing that Ament was unbeatable. That was before the pension scandal forced Ament from office and changed the county political landscape. [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 03/29/2002]
Walker to Milwaukee County: Just Passing Through Walker says he won’t stay as county executive beyond 2008, when he’d be 42, and may one day pursue a business career. ‘I imagine I’d have a pretty good pitch to any business out there; having resurrected a billion dollar government, think of what I could do for their business?’ [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 03/29/2002]
Walker Willing to Do or Say Anything to Win, Tried to Dodge Speeding Ticket By Donning Jacket With Charity Logo “Younger brother David recalls a tale that only slightly tarnishes Scott Walker’s halo. When a 17-year-old Scott got a speeding ticket, he wore David’s jacket — with the logo for a charitable event, “Jump Rope for Heart,” — to his court appearance, hoping for leniency, says David. But the court commissioner was blind, David says. […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 03/29/2002]
Walker’s First Ran for State Office a Quarter Century Ago But politics continued to call. In 1990, Walker ran for the state Assembly as a Republican against the Democratic incumbent, Gwen Moore, in a heavily Democratic district on Milwaukee’s north side. He lost with less than a third of the vote. [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 03/29/2002]
Walker Says Promises in 2002 Milwaukee County Executive Race to Combat Voter Cynicism Walker said his campaign gave the people the specific reform proposals they demanded. “There is a pretty high meter out there for cynicism. Everybody is talking about reform, but what do they mean. We wanted to say specifically what I will do.” [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 03/19/2002]
Questions About Walker’s Use of State Funded Mailing From Assembly Office During County Executive Race The recent constituent letter sent by state Rep. Scott Walker (R-Wauwatosa) cost slightly more than a similar 2000 mailing – and wound up in more mailboxes…Walker said he checked with the state Elections Board and state Ethics Board before sending the newsletter, which includes a back-patting list of accomplishments from the just concluded legislative session. […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 03/18/2002]
In County Exec Campaign, Walker Invited Public to Hold Him Accountable for Keeping Campaign Promises “Now put this on your refrigerator. Mark my progress. And hold me to it.” [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 03/17/2002]
Walker Terms His Political Opportunism, “Duty” It’s not about political calculation. It can ultimately be boiled down to one word – duty.” [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 03/10/2002]
Questions Raised by Walker County Exec Fundraising Pitches to Lobbyists That Noted He Remained a State Legislator When later questioned about his approach, Walker said that he did not mean to come across as heavy-handed. “I should be more clear about my pitch about county government.” [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 03/10/2002]
Labor Opposition to Walker Longstanding; Endorsed Opponent in ‘02 County Executive Race The Milwaukee County Labor Council voted Wednesday night to endorse Milwaukee Ald. Thomas Nardelli in the Milwaukee County executive’s race. The council, affiliated with the AFL-CIO, includes about 150 unions with about 60,000 members living in Milwaukee County. The union met with a series of candidates last week but put off an endorsement until Wednesday, […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 03/07/2002]
Walker Solicited Local Prosecutors for Damaging Information on AG Doyle Two Republican lawmakers have sent a blanket request to local prosecutors for information that could provide them with political ammunition against state Attorney General Jim Doyle, considered the leading Democratic candidate for governor in next year’s election. State Reps. Mark Gundrum, of New Berlin, and Scott Walker, of Wauwatosa, have sent an e-mail to district […] [Capital Times, 09/01/2001]
Walker Used His Assembly Committee to Attack Attorney General and ‘02 Gubernatorial Candidate Jim Doyle A state Assembly committee chairman Monday called on Attorney General James Doyle to appear before his panel next week to explain how his office missed a critical appeal deadline in a rape case. “We can’t overlook incompetence,” said Rep. Scott Walker (R-Wauwatosa). But a spokesman for Doyle said the attorney general planned to release a […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 08/28/2001]
Walker and RPW Lobbied Milwaukee County DA for Charges Against Democratic Volunteer in 2000 Election State GOP leaders are urging Milwaukee County District Attorney E. Michael McCann to charge a Democratic Party volunteer with election bribery for allegedly giving cigarettes to homeless people in exchange for their votes before the November presidential election…In a letter to McCann Wednesday, party Chairman Richard Graber and state Rep. Scott Walker (R- Wauwatosa) said […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 03/16/2001]
Walker Was “Excited” About Possibility of Lt. Gov. Appointment … Until Suddenly He Wasn’t “Being able to travel home each night is a blessing for our family as well as a benefit for our district.” [Wisconsin State Journal, 02/07/2001]
Walker “Excited” About Possibility of Lt. Gov. Appointment … “That definitely would be something I’d be excited to do.” [Wisconsin State Journal, 01/03/2001]
Floated Himself as Possible 2002 Running Mate for Scott Jensen or Scott McCallum “My joke was, after I talked to a couple of folks, it could be a ‘Great Scott’ ticket. Either way, I can’t lose.” [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 06/20/2000]
Walker Voted to Shield Gun Industry From Lawsuits The bill would have granted, “firearm importers, manufacturers, dealers and trade associations immunity from civil liability in any action brought by an individual or group for an injury or death caused by a firearm or by firearm ammunition.” (Assembly Journal) [1999 AB 246, 02/08/2000]
Walker Not Impressed by Last GOP Prez Contender From WI (AKA Tommy Thompson) He also noted that he did not consider Thompson a “viable candidate on a national basis.” [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 03/17/1999]
Walker Received Campaign Contribution From Private Prison Industry Executive Whose Company Did Business With State … Expresses Surprise It Took So Long “Quite frankly, I was surprised that if he was going to give, he hadn’t given earlier. I’ve been a private-prison advocate for some time.” [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 02/18/1999]
Walker Authored Bill to Allow Private Prison Construction in Wisconsin and House Prisoners From Other States The bill, “establishes the conditions under which a private person may construct and operate a prison in this state for the confinement of inmates from other states.” [1999 AB 519, 01/01/1999]
Walker Sponsored Bill to Protect Manufacturers From Liability for Defective Products The bill “establishes the criteria to determine if a product manufacturer, distributor or seller is liable to a person injured by the manufactured product” and “specifies when a manufactured product is defective.” [1999 AB 884, 01/01/1999]
Walker Sponsored Bill to Require Union Members to Annually Authorize in Writing Use of Dues to Fund Political Committees The bill prohibited “any employer or other person who is responsible for the disbursement of moneys in payment of wages or salaries from withholding any portion of an employe’s wages or salary for the purpose of making a contribution or for use as a contribution to a political committee, except upon written request of the […] [1997 AB 624, 01/01/1997]
Walker Attacks Dems for Using Tactics GOP Used Earlier In a press release, Walker said the calls were an illegal and “inexcusable” tactic employed in an attempt to regain a Democratic majority in the Assembly. “The Democrats have been caught lying in an attempt to confuse and anger voters. These calls are in clear violation of our election laws and show how low the […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 10/05/1996]
Walker Touts Gramm Appeal to GOP Base Versus Elites in ‘96 GOP Primary Race “The Dole campaign tends to go after the head table. The Gramm campaign tends to go after the audience. There’s more people in the audience.” The Gramm campaign tends to go after the audience. There’s more people in the audience.” Walker added that Thompson’s support for Dole would likely do little for Dole’s campaign in […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 12/11/1995]
Walker Supported Phil Gramm Over Tommy Thompson in 1996 GOP Presidential Primary “He can compete as a national figure and showcase himself as a vice-presidential candidate” [Wisconsin State Journal, 05/21/1995]
Walker Authored Campaign Finance Bill Denounced for Seeking to Give GOP Partisan Advantage A partisan swindle intended to solidify Republican control of the Legislature while fooling all of the people all of the time. The bill, crafted by Republican campaign strategist Scott Walker without meaningful input from Democrats, is designed to weaken the influence of labor unions and other mass organizations that generally support Democrats, while strengthening the […] [Capital Times, 03/01/1995]
Walker Proposed $50 Million in State Borrowing to Build “SuperMax” Prison Walker’s bill increased “the general obligation bonding authority for the prison expansion project by $50,000,000, from $25,000,000 to $75,000,000. [1995 AB 1018, 01/01/1995]