Privatization

From educating our children to incarcerating criminals and everything in between Gov. Scott Walker is willing to outsource public functions to private contractors. That his dogmatic dedication to privatization has often left workers losing wages and benefits while taxpayers pay more for the same or reduced services and get less accountability matter little.

No wonder when you realize Walker has handsomely padded his campaign account with contributions from the beneficiaries of his willingness to hand over public tax dollars to private business. As a state legislator Walker defended shipping Wisconsin prisoners to private facilities in other states, despite serious questions about how these facilities operated and pushed to build a private prison in Wisconsin. As Governor he’s led the charge to expand a private voucher school industry that is taking millions of tax dollars out of public schools.

All along Walker benefited from the financial largesse of the privatization special interests, including his campaign co-chair who heads one of the biggest funders of right-wing, pro-privatization propaganda the Bradley Foundation.

Content
A new public education movement is emerging in Wisconsin, a rebuke to Gov. Walker’s war on labor and school privatization Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) launched a war on labor in 2011, enacting a law called Act 10 that decimated the power of public employee unions to bargain, and it also cut pay for most public sector workers. It was clear that the law was largely aimed at the teachers unions, because Walker exempted the […] [Washington Post, 07/03/2018]
Walker’s tax handout for private school kids The annual tuition for Madison Country Day School in Waunakee is $16,490 for first grade and rises to $17,800 for high school. That’s unaffordable, of course, for most people. Wealthy families choose to pay this because they feel it’s worth it for such a specialized institution. But beginning with the 2014 tax year, the situation […] [Isthmus, 04/27/2017]
State Payments Per Pupil for Private School Vouchers Set to Exceed Public Schools As reported in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Wisconsin public schools are now feeling financial pressure as the voucher program drains resources from them [One Wisconsin Now, 03/23/2017]
Voucher Money to Republicans Buys Voucher Cartel More of Our Money The school privatization industry has given millions of dollars to Scott Walker’s political campaigns and he’s returning the favor. [One Wisconsin Now, 03/20/2017]
Memo: Voucher Schools Receive More State Funding Per Student Private voucher schools would receive an additional $1,000 or more in state funding per student compared to public schools under Gov. Scott Walker’s proposed budget, although voucher school advocates say that only tells part of the story. A memo from the nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau shows choice schools will receive between $7,757 and $8,403 in […] [WPR, 03/20/2017]
Scott Walker, Lowell Holtz and John Humphries Standing by Their Woman, Betsy DeVos When these three continue to stand by Betsy DeVos it’s clear they’re most interested in the impact she can have on their campaign war chests. [One Wisconsin Now, 02/01/2017]
Walker Denies Legal Counsel to Agency Sued by His Campaign Chair’s Legal Fund Gov. Walker is denying legal counsel to a state agency because the lawsuit was brought by his campaign chair’s legal fund. [One Wisconsin Now, 06/16/2016]
Unaccountable Private School Voucher Program a Billion Dollar Boondoggle Under Gov. Walker and Republican Legislature A new analysis finds that under Gov. Scott Walker and the Republican-controlled legislature, taxpayers will have to foot a $1.18 billion plus tab for the private school voucher program by the end of the 2016-17 fiscal year. [One Wisconsin Now, 09/01/2015]
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]
The Reality of Scott Walker’s Record on K-12 Education Gov. Scott Walker’s education policies would earn him an F grade from anyone concerned with quality public education. In his first budget, Walker enacted the largest per student K-12 education cuts in the nation. [One Wisconsin Now, 08/06/2015]
Will College Dropout Gov. Scott Walker Sign Budget Measure to Allow High School Dropouts to Teach in Wisconsin? An amendment to the 2015 state budget adopted by the Republican controlled Joint Committee on Finance in the middle of the night would eliminate almost all standards for teachers. [One Wisconsin Now, 05/28/2015]
Scott Walker to Unaccountable Private Voucher Schools: ‘Let the Good Times Roll’ Back home in Wisconsin it’s “let the good times roll” for the unaccountable voucher program as Republican politicians consider Walker’s scheme for further statewide expansion. [One Wisconsin Now, 05/18/2015]
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]
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]
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]
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]
In Walker’s 2015 budget, he proposed lifting the caps put in place in the 2013 expansion, expanding vouchers across the state without limits An unlimited number of Wisconsin students could use taxpayer dollars to attend private schools in the statewide voucher program, under Gov. Scott Walker’s proposed two-year budget. Walker would also start paying for the program with money that otherwise would go to public schools. In addition to eliminating the 1,000-student cap in the statewide voucher program, […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 02/04/2015]
GOP Legislature Starts 2015 Payoff to School Privatization Industry Wisconsin legislative Republicans are promising legislation to regulate the private school voucher program that is slated to rake in over $212 million from state taxpayers in the current school year. [One Wisconsin Now, 01/07/2015]
‘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]
Scott Walker Polling Voters on Presidential Run Walker’s campaign is polling voters on his planned presidential run, asking favorability questions about various Republican and Democratic candidates, including fellow Republican U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan. [One Wisconsin Now, 11/19/2014]
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]
As Percentage of Wisconsin Graduates With Student Loan Debt Rises, GOP Leaves Borrowers Out in the Cold It is appalling Gov. Walker and the Republican legislative majority have again turned their back on the hard working college graduates saddled with massive education debt. [One Wisconsin Now, 11/13/2014]
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]
Party Line Howard Marklein Tows the Education Privatization Line for Party Bosses and Special Interests A recent news report reveals $139 million in state tax dollars went to private schools in Milwaukee kicked out of the school voucher program, supported by Rep. Howard Marklein, for failing to meet basic standards. [One Wisconsin Now, 10/14/2014]
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]
Gov. Walker Needs to Go Back to School on Education Policy As students across Wisconsin head back to school, it’s Gov. Scott Walker who needs to be educated about the impact of his wrong-headed education policies. [One Wisconsin Now, 08/29/2014]
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]
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]
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]
Private Voucher School Application Data Shows Overwhelming Support for State Public Schools Time and again students in public schools outperform those in voucher schools, while parents and taxpayers alike get more accountability. [One Wisconsin Now, 05/20/2014]
Records Reveal Private School Voucher Industry Lobbyist Wrote Latest Republican Bill Proposing to “Regulate” Voucher Industry Legislation claiming to impose new accountability requirements on schools participating in the private school voucher program was written by the lobbyist for the school privatization industry. [One Wisconsin Now, 02/14/2014]
Gov. Walker’s Administration Asks: ‘How Can We Love You More?’ Corporate Special Interest ALEC Provides Answers. Corporate funded ALEC has vociferously promoted an agenda to boost their bottom line at the expense of the rest of us. [One Wisconsin Now, 01/21/2014]
S is for Shill This report exposes the web of right-wing funders advancing a radical school privatization agenda through the use of Wisconsin-based front groups, with special focus on the Bradley Foundation, headed by Scott Walker's campaign co-chair Michael Grebe. [One Wisconsin Institute, 11/13/2013]
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]
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]
Facts Are Facts. Gov. Walker’s Agenda an Abysmal Failure for Wisconsin Instead of owning up to the fact that his radical, ‘divide and conquer’ agenda has failed and changing course, Gov. Walker is turning to the special interests he serves to try to re-write history. [One Wisconsin Now, 10/07/2013]
Scot Ross: Gov. Walker and Republican legislators to voucher schools: ‘We’ll pay more for that’ While private schools benefit, courtesy of taxpayer-funded vouchers that in many cases far exceed the tuition paid by other students, it is once again our state public schools that lose out under the agenda of Walker and the Republican Legislature. [Capital Times, 09/29/2013]
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]
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]
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]
#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: 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]
Wisconsin Working Families and Middle Class Lose Big as Top GOP Legislative Leaders Flip-Flop Way to Budget Deal MADISON, Wis. — In his 2010 campaign, Gov. Walker signaled support for a bill to ban the legislature from voting after 10pm because, “… nothing good happens after midnight. That’s even more true in politics.” According to One Wisconsin Now Executive Director Scot Ross it’s too bad for the middle class and working families of […] [One Wisconsin Now, 06/04/2013]
One Wisconsin Now Travels to Iowa to Share Walker “Resume of Failure” DES MOINES — Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker is traveling to Iowa today to address a gathering of Republican Party activists in another of an increasing number out-of-state sojourns as he ponders a bid for national office. Also making the trip is One Wisconsin Now Executive Director Scot Ross, along with copies of the Walker “Resume […] [One Wisconsin Now, 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]
One Wisconsin Now Calls on Rep. Marklein, ‘CPA Caucus’ to Put Gov. Walker’s WEDC Under the Microscope One Wisconsin Now Executive Director Scot Ross suggested Marklein and his GOP cohorts ought to start with Gov. Walker's woefully underperforming WEDC. [One Wisconsin Now, 04/29/2013]
Prelude to a Raid? Right-wing finger-pointing over reports of University of Wisconsin System surpluses is distracting from the real crisis, the trillion dollar plus student loan debt crisis. [One Wisconsin Now, 04/21/2013]
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 Nearly $68 Billion Budget Allocates $0.0 For Direct Relief From Trillion Dollar Student Loan Debt Crisis Gov. Walker larders special interests with sweetheart deals and doles out millions in tax breaks for the wealthiest Wisconsinites. [One Wisconsin Now, 02/26/2013]
Walker’s 2013 budget proposed expanding vouchers throughout the state Under Walker’s proposal, districts would be opened up to voucher programs if they have at least 4,000 students and two school buildings receiving a grade of “fails to meet expectations” or “meets few expectations” on state report cards…Walker’s budget plan would set the criteria for bringing school districts into the voucher system, rather than naming […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 02/18/2013]
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 Proposed Expanding the Private School Voucher Program in 2013 Budget Proposed and ultimately signed the 2013-15 budget which included expansion of the private school voucher program statewide. As approved, the program was expanded for 500 students in its first year and 1,000 students in the next school year. [2013 AB 40, 01/01/2013]
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]
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]
2010 ‘Lie of Year’ Award Winner in Madison to Address Gathering of Corporate CEOs MADISON, Wis. — 2010 Politifact “Lie of the Year” award winner, GOP pollster Frank Luntz, addressed a gathering of CEOs sponsored by the state’s big business lobby today in Madison. One Wisconsin Now Deputy Director Mike Browne said Luntz will have his work cut out for him trying to boost Gov. Scott Walker’s record of […] [One Wisconsin Now, 02/15/2012]
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]
Scott Walker’s Rhetoric Versus Reality MADISON, Wis. — Governor Scott Walker failed to tackle Wisconsin’s jobs crisis – posting six straight months of job losses here while nationally jobs are being added – and is now poised to take on “the truth” in his second State of the State address. In Gov. Walker’s one year in office he has failed […] [One Wisconsin Now, 01/24/2012]
One Wisconsin Institute Report: ‘D is for Dismantle’ A comprehensive analysis entitled “D is for Dismantle,” authored by the non-partisan One Wisconsin Institute shows that despite claims from Gov. Scott Walker, Wisconsin schools are not failing, instead his budget cuts and disastrous education policies endanger our proud tradition of excellent schools. [One Wisconsin Institute, 12/19/2011]
Privatization attempt halted by federal gov’t Attempts by the new Republican administration to largely privatize the state’s food assistance program have been all but stopped in their tracks. The controversial plan, first proposed by Gov. Scott Walker in March, would have replaced county-level sites where residents can simultaneously apply for FoodShare and medical assistance with a limited number of centers across […] [Capital Times, 08/16/2011]
Allocated $35 Million More for Milwaukee Private Schools, Expanded Vouchers Walker signed into law the state budget, which expanded participation in the Milwaukee voucher program at a biennial cost of $19.3 million, and expanded the voucher program to Racine ($4.8 million) and Green Bay ($1.6 million). (Legislative Fiscal Bureau “2011-13 Comparative Summary of Budget Recommendations,” June 2011; [Racine Journal Times, 06/02/2011]
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]
One Wisconsin Now Statements on Walker’s Jobless Commerce Privatization Gov. Scott Walker continues a failed approach to creating jobs for Wisconsin. Not content with spending $140 million in special interest giveaways which will not create any jobs in Wisconsin. [One Wisconsin Now, 02/08/2011]
GOP: ‘Wisconsin is Open for California’s Budget Crisis’ MADISON, Wis. — Gov. Scott Walker’s misguided plan to create a supermajority for tax increases ignores that the taxes targeted have not been increased by the legislature in over 30 years. Similar supermajority measures in California have led to that state’s near economic collapse, a record-setting deficit and draconian cuts for critical public investments. “Gov. […] [One Wisconsin Now, 01/23/2011]
Republican Party of Wisconsin Running from Own Platform, Support for Social Security Privatization The RPW’s frivolous complaint to the GAB regarding its legislative candidates’ support for the Social Security privatization scheme, belies the RPW’s own state platform. [One Wisconsin Now, 10/25/2010]
Scott Walker’s Mental Health Complex Cover Up MADISON, Wis. — Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker admitted in a newspaper story today he was unaware of a comprehensive report on the tragedies at the Milwaukee County mental health complex – but that has not stopped him from refusing to release the report to his own county auditors. Walker refused to tell the private […] [One Wisconsin Now, 09/28/2010]
Walker’s Lack of Constitutional Knowledge Rivals His Budget Incompetence “As governor, I’ll find ways to do more with less …and sign an amendment that will protect funds like these from future raids.” “¢ Walker Statement, 7/20/10 (Note: Since One Wisconsin Now accessed the press release at 9 a.m., Walker has changed the word ”sign’ to ”support.’ A link to Walker’s original release is available […] [One Wisconsin Now, 07/19/2010]
County’s Massive Overtime, Costly Privatization Gives Walker Zero Management Credibility Scott Walker has promised to reveal his plans in the coming days to reduce the state government payroll, but if his Milwaukee County record is any indication of his plans, taxpayers will be socked with higher costs and compromised safety. [One Wisconsin Now, 07/05/2010]
One Wisconsin Now Fact Checks ‘Facts-Free’ RPW Walker Ad MADISON, Wis. — The first television advertisement for Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker’s campaign for governor paid for by the Republican Party of Wisconsin not only is full of distortions and exaggerations, but also ignores the impact of his policies which have been disastrous for Milwaukee, a fact-check conducted by One Wisconsin Now concludes. “The […] [One Wisconsin Now, 05/24/2010]
Latest Sexual Assault Revelation Highlights Disastrous Cost of Walker Mental Health Center Mismanagement, Privatization Walker’s mismanagement of the County Mental Health Complex is under even more scrutiny after tragic reports of yet another patient sexual assault. [One Wisconsin Now, 05/20/2010]
Walker Ad Fact Check Shows Exaggerations, Falsehoods Throughout MADISON, Wis. — Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker’s latest campaign ad is riddled with falsehoods, distortions and half-truths about his disastrous record for Milwaukee County, according to a fact check of the ad conducted by One Wisconsin Now. “Just last summer Scott Walker was repeating his call to abolish county government because he had made […] [One Wisconsin Now, 05/17/2010]
Walker Privatized Courthouse Security, Resulting in a Convicted Sex Offender Working There Without County Knowledge “(Chad Wegener) works for Wackenhut Security Services, a big international firm, which took over security at the Courthouse last month. However, back in 2004, Wegener resigned as chief of police in Manawa, Wisconsin amid scandal — accused of making repeated unwanted sexual advances towards on-duty male officers after pressuring them to drink beer and watch […] [WMTJ-TV, 04/15/2010]
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 Reintroduced Proposal to Privatize Airport “…Walker said privatizing airport operations could enable the county to “actually turn a profit and use the revenue to pay down debt.” He also said the money from an airport privatization could be used to help pay for the county’s bus system without increasing the property tax. …He sought but failed to win County Board […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 01/13/2010]
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]
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 Planned to Privatize Milwaukee County Zoo “Operation of the Milwaukee County Zoo, one of the area’s most popular attractions, would be spun off to a nonprofit company under a plan by County Executive Scott Walker. A proposal he’ll include in his 2010 budget will call for creation of a steering committee to work out details of how the privatization would work, […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 09/20/2009]
County Board Shot Down Walker Plan to Privatize Call Center “Meanwhile, the board delivered a second snub to Walker on Thursday on his plan to outsource operation of the public assistance call center, voting 12-6 to reject his plan. The board also voted against the idea last year. Walker favored hiring Impact, a private agency, and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee to operate the call center […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 02/06/2009]
County Board Overrode Walker Plan to Outsource Electrical & Plumbing Work “A Milwaukee County Board veto override Wednesday means contractors will miss out on $600,000 worth of contracts, and 30 tradespeople on the county payroll will keep their jobs. ‘We are not a source to go to the private sector to make them richer off of taxpayer dollars,’ said County Supervisor Michael Mayo, who voted against […] [Daily Reporter, 11/21/2008]
County Board Defeated Walker Privatization Proposals in 2009 Budget “Walker struck out with the board on every major privatization move, with one exception. The board sustained a Walker veto that keeps alive – though barely – his plan to outsource operation of the troubled public assistance call center. Under Walker’s plan, the county would pay the private social agency IMPACT and the University of […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 11/20/2008]
Walker Mantra: Privatize “His message to his staff members as they gear up for the annual budget pageant: economize and privatize. ‘Anywhere and everywhere, they should be considering contracting out’ so services can be provided at less cost, Walker said in an interview. That’s been his mantra since he took office, one that he re-emphasized during his successful […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 05/31/2008]
Walker Longtime Proponent of Using Tax Dollars to Send Students to Private and Religious Schools He’s also been a staunch supporter of private and religious school choice, playing a key role last year in maintaining funding for the program, which provides taxpayer money for private education. [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 03/29/2002]