Religious Issues

Gov. Scott Walker is the son of a preacher and freely discusses his faith when it serves his political interests. While running for Milwaukee County Executive and Governor, the subject of Walker’s personal faith was little discussed by the candidate. But as he courts the votes of religious conservatives to advance his political ambition Scott Walker has plenty to say.

Have decisions to try to repeal or undermine state law requiring contraceptive equity and lawsuits to block marriage equality been informed by his faith or his political ambition? It’s open to debate.

What’s clear is when Scott Walker strays away from the Christianity he was raised with he’s on shakier ground, like the time he signed off on a letter to a Jewish constituent with “molotov.”

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Scott Walker Says He Respects Others, Regardless of Their Beliefs* in Television Ad *Unless You’re a Woman, Person of Color, Migrant Family, Student or Sex Assault Survivor [One Wisconsin Now, 10/29/2018]
“Here we go again.” Shortly after President Trump announced his pick for Supreme Court, the liberal group One Wisconsin Now sent an email with the subject line: “Trump, Walker will criminalize abortion.” “If he is not blocked, Brett Kavanaugh will be the deciding vote to overturn Roe v. Wade and do what Scott Walker has been trying to do […] [Isthmus, 07/19/2018]
Walker Doubts Roe v. Wade at Risk “If he is not blocked, Brett Kavanaugh will be the deciding vote to overturn Roe v. Wade and do what Scott Walker has been trying to do for 25 years: criminalize women having abortions,” said Analiese Eicher of the liberal advocacy group One Wisconsin Now. [Urban Milwaukee, 07/12/2018]
Walker Not Convinced Trump’s Supreme Court Pick Will Lead To Roe V. Wade Being Overturned “If he is not blocked, Brett Kavanaugh will be the deciding vote to overturn Roe v. Wade and do what Scott Walker has been trying to do for 25 years: criminalize women having abortions,” said Analiese Eicher of the liberal advocacy group One Wisconsin Now. [Wisconsin Public Radio, 07/11/2018]
Donald Trump, Scott Walker Will Criminalize Abortion One Wisconsin Now Program Director Analiese Eicher released the following statements about Donald Trump nomination. [One Wisconsin Now, 07/09/2018]
Gov. Scott Walker Welcomed Group Pitching Biblical Justification for Trump Border Policy of Taking Children from Parents to Wisconsin It is a grievous misunderstanding of scripture and misuse of the Christian faith to use it to try to justify the horror of what was being done to families. [One Wisconsin Now, 06/21/2018]
Scott Walker signals little appetite for ‘fetal heartbeat’ 6-week abortion ban Gov. Scott Walker declined Tuesday to voice support for Wisconsin to enact its version of a new Iowa law that bans abortions once a fetal heartbeat can be detected, typically about six weeks into a pregnancy. “I think our laws protecting life in this state are very strong,” Walker told reporters in Madison. Asked again […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 05/23/2018]
Gov. Scott Walker’s State Lawyer Secretly Joined Attorney General Brad Schimel, Department of Justice Lawyers at Hate Group Conference A top lawyer in Scott Walker’s office joined Attorney General Brad Schimel attending a controversial conference hosted by the Alliance Defending Freedom. [One Wisconsin Now, 05/21/2018]
Wisconsin Republican State Convention Features ‘Pay to Pray’ Event With Gov. Scott Walker, Attorney General Brad Schimel Gov. Scott Walker’s Republican Party of Wisconsin (RPW) will be charging $50 per person for a “pay to pray” breakfast on Sunday. [One Wisconsin Now, 05/11/2018]
Scott Walker signs 64 bills, including restriction on abortion coverage for state workers Gov. Scott Walker signed 64 bills into law Tuesday, including one that prohibits state health insurance plans for public employees from covering abortion procedures with some exceptions.The abortion bill, which the Assembly passed in November and the Senate passed in February along party lines after it failed to pass in 2013, is the latest in […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 04/04/2018]
Don’t want to pay for ‘Sex Out Loud?’ Walker’s budget offers opt-out on student fees The governor’s 2017-19 budget proposal would make optional the “allocable segregated fees” portion of the tuition bill at University of Wisconsin System schools. These are the student fees that fund such things as student government, student organizations and even a free bus pass program for UW-Madison students. “At a time when we want to make […] [WatchDog, 03/28/2017]
Scott Walker proposes increasing tax credit for working poor with 1 child Jenni Dye said there are other strategies for preventing premarital pregnancy that Walker has opposed, such as providing contraception and reproductive health services to low-income women. [Wisconsin State Journal, 02/02/2017]
Gov. Walker effort to stop state coverage of gender reassignment surgery succeeds The state on Wednesday halted insurance coverage of gender reassignment surgery for transgender state workers, noting that a federal judge blocked federal rules requiring such coverage. Covering gender reassignment surgery and related benefits would have cost $100,000 to $250,000 a year in a $1.5 billion program that provides health benefits to about 250,000 state and […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 02/02/2017]
Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin to close its Appleton abortion clinic Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin will permanently shutter one of its three abortion clinics in the state, leaving Madison and Milwaukee as the only cities in Wisconsin offering abortions… Five Planned Parenthood health centers have closed in Wisconsin since Gov. Scott Walker eliminated state funding for the organization in 2011, though none were facilities that provided […] [Capital Times, 08/22/2016]
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]
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 signs measure cutting Planned Parenthood funding, again Gov. Scott Walker signed two bills Thursday that cut by several million dollars a year the amount of public money that goes to Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin. “We want to make sure as taxpayers whether it’s state funds or federal funds that come through the State of Wisconsin that they’re used in the way that’s […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 02/18/2016]
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, 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]
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]
Gov. Scott Walker wants clearer rules on bathrooms for transgender students Gov. Scott Walker Thursday came out in favor of clearer rules on which bathrooms can be used by transgender students in public schools. The Republican governor was reacting to a proposal by two GOP lawmakers that would require public schools to designate their restrooms and locker rooms as “male” or “female.” The bill would effectively […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 10/08/2015]
Appeals judge hits state on abortion admitting privileges law Governor Walker, before he withdrew from the presidential race, said he thought abortion should be forbidden even if the mother dies,” Judge Richard Posner said during arguments. “Is that kind of official Wisconsin policy?” “That perhaps is Governor Walker’s personal opinion,” but it’s not the state’s policy, responded Assistant Attorney General Brian Keenan. The GOP […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 10/01/2015]
Scott Walker to campaign at ‘crisis pregnancy center’ also visited by Jeb Bush It's fitting that the same guy who refused to be straight with Wisconsin voters about his position on abortion in 2014 is visiting a crisis pregnancy center. [Capital Times, 08/24/2015]
Scott Walker backs bill to block federal money for Planned Parenthood This latest bill is more political opportunism, putting Walker's presidential primary politics ahead of people's health. [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 08/21/2015]
Four takeaways from Walker’s showing in the first presidential debate Liberals were particularly peeved by Walker’s responses to the questions about abortion and targeting of African-Americans. They drew mentions from the websites Huffington Post and Think Progress and from the liberal group One Wisconsin Now. [Wisconsin State Journal, 08/09/2015]
Scott Walker calls abortion to save a woman’s life a ‘false choice’ Jenni Dye, research director for the liberal group One Wisconsin Now, disputed Walker’s comments. “Absolutely there are situations where a woman’s life is in danger if she continues a pregnancy,” she said. “We need someone with medical training making these decisions, not politicians,” said Dye, who previously served as the executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice Wisconsin. “If […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 08/08/2015]
Scott Walker casts himself as ‘aggressively normal’ in first debate, stays clear of GOP squabbling Liberal group One Wisconsin Now said Walker’s targeting of Planned Parenthood had dire consequences. The group said in a statement that Walker’s defunding of Planned Parenthood forced the closure of rural health centers and cut access to health services such as cancer screenings and birth control. [Wisconsin State Journal, 08/07/2015]
The Reality of Scott Walker’s Record on Reproductive Health The totality of Gov. Scott Walker’s actions on reproductive health and women’s economic opportunity rank him as one of, if not the, worst politician in America for women. [One Wisconsin Now, 08/06/2015]
Scott Walker is still unsure whether Obama is Christian Fielding questions at the Koch network’s donor summit here Saturday night, the Republican presidential candidate reiterated the controversial position of uncertainty that he staked out in February. “You’re not going to get a different answer than I said before,” the Wisconsin governor said. “I don’t know. I presume he is. … But I’ve never asked […] [Washington Post, 08/01/2015]
Scott Walker signs anti-abortion bill into law That even one woman’s life or health may be put at risk so Walker can increase his credibility with the extreme right-wing Republican presidential base is as unacceptable as it is heartbreaking. [Wisconsin Gazette, 07/20/2015]
Scott Walker signs 20-week abortion ban into law By signing this bill, Walker has forced pure political calculation to take the place of medicine when it comes to personal decisions about a woman’s pregnancy. [Capital Times, 07/20/2015]
Walker Signs Dangerous Abortion Ban That Could Prevent Doctors From Saving Lives of Mothers When a Pregnancy Goes Tragically Wrong Gov. Scott Walker has quickly moved to sign the dangerous abortion ban he asked lawmakers to pass without exceptions for rape or incest. [One Wisconsin Now, 07/20/2015]
Scott Walker Opposes Proposal That Would Allow Gay Boy Scout Leaders “I have had a lifelong commitment to the Scouts and support the previous membership policy because it protected children and advanced Scout values.” [Independent Journal Review, 07/14/2015]
Assembly Republicans Put Gov. Walker’s Presidential Ambitions Before Women’s Health With New Abortion Ban Politicians have no business imposing their beliefs on women making an intensely personal decision to terminate a wanted pregnancy, often in the most tragic circumstances. [One Wisconsin Now, 07/09/2015]
Walker calls for constitutional amendment to allow states to ban same-sex marriage Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, seizing the moment after the Supreme Court’s landmark ruling legalizing same-sex marriage, called Friday for a Constitutional amendment that would allow the states to decide whether gay marriage should be legal. Walker’s call came shortly after the high court ruled 5-4 that same-sex couples could marry across the country, overturning a […] [Politico, 06/26/2015]
Walker promises to sign 20-week abortion ban, without exceptions for rape or incest Gov. Scott Walker said Monday he will sign a proposed 20-week abortion ban whether or not it includes an exemption for cases of rape or incest. Walker, who had previously expressed support for the bill that’s on a fast track in the Wisconsin Legislature, said it didn’t matter whether there was an exemption. As introduced, […] [Associated Press, 06/01/2015]
Women’s Health Expert Says New GOP Abortion Ban Could Force Women to Undergo Cesarean Sections This bill puts politicians, not doctors, where they have no business — making life and death decisions for the women of Wisconsin. This proposal is so extreme and invasive that it includes a provision for government mandated c-section. [One Wisconsin Now, 05/29/2015]
Scott Walker to Sign Ban on Abortions for Rape, Incest Opponents of the Wisconsin bill, including Jenni Dye of the liberal group One Wisconsin Now, charge that the language allowing late-term abortions to protect the life of the mother is too narrow. [Daily Beast, 05/28/2015]
Wisconsin’s 20-week abortion ban would likely require emergency C-sections This Walker-backed abortion ban is so extreme that there are no exceptions for rape and incest. [Capital Times, 05/09/2015]
Wisconsin has filed a notice of appeal the federal court ruling striking down Walker’s admitting privileges law The appeal comes as Republican lawmakers consider introducing legislation that would ban abortion after 20 weeks. Such a measure would be all but certain to attract its own litigation. [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 04/06/2015]
Thousands Sign One Wisconsin Now Petition Demanding Wisconsin Cease Business with Indiana The people of Wisconsin are sending a clear message: bigotry disguised as ‘religious freedom’ is still bigotry. [One Wisconsin Now, 04/03/2015]
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]
Federal judge rules Walker’s admitting privilege law unconstitutional “A federal judge on Friday struck down a Wisconsin law requiring doctors performing abortions to get hospital-admitting privileges, concluding that the measure was enacted primarily to provide an obstacle for women seeking abortions. U.S. District Judge William Conley, who earlier had put the law on hold, ruled that the 2013 law is unconstitutional. He issued […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 03/20/2015]
Wisconsin City Asks Gov. Walker to Remove Abortion Funding Bans It is true that unfortunately, with an incredibly anti-choice legislature and governor, we won’t be seeing increases in reproductive care access coming from the state level. [RH Reality Check, 03/19/2015]
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]
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]
Guns, God and Country’: Religion and patriotism in politics Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani recently questioned President Obama’s love for his country, stating at a private dinner for Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, ” do not believe that the president loves America … He wasn’t brought up the way you … and I (were) brought up through love of this country.” “It’s necessary […] [TheDePaulia, 03/08/2015]
Walker promised anti-choice Susan B Anthony List that he would sign a 20 week ban in Wisconsin “Shifting his tone to reassure social conservatives, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker declared Tuesday that he intends to sign a state law in the coming months that bans abortion after 20 weeks. In an open letter to the Susan B. Anthony List, the likely Republican presidential candidate also said that he supports “similar legislation” now stalled […] [Politico, 03/03/2015]
In letter to anti-choice Susan B Anthony List, Walker touted banning abortion insurance coverage “Life is a value I learned from my parents, and it’s a value I have cherished every day, predating my time in politics. My policies throughout my career have earned a 100% rating with pro-life groups in Wisconsin. Just in my first term I signed numerous pieces of pro-life legislation and I will continue working […] [Scott Walker letter to SBA List, 03/03/2015]
Wisconsin Gov. Walker declines to answer evolution question One Wisconsin Now, a liberal advocacy group that tracks Walker's statements, said they had no record of him previously addressing his beliefs on evolution. [Associated Press, 02/11/2015]
Scott Walker decides to punt on evolution One Wisconsin Now, a liberal advocacy group that tracks Walker’s statements, said they had no record of his previously addressing his beliefs on evolution. [Associated Press, 02/11/2015]
Clinics maintain that they are billing at the rates set by the state itself in 2009, but politically motivated Walker administration audit says otherwise “NEWCAP and Family Planning Health Services, as well as other organizations that provide reproductive health services in the state, contend they were paid for contraceptives and other prescription drugs at a rate agreed upon and set by the Department of Health Services in 2009. “We’ve been following the instructions we have been given, and we’ve […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 12/12/2014]
Scott Walker’s Hanukkah Message: ‘Molotov’! Molotov In an undated letter posted by the Capital Times Wednesday, Walker wrote to a constituent that he would be happy to display a menorah at the Milwaukee County Courthouse. At the time, he was serving as county executive. But what stands out most is his closing line. From the letter: Thank you for your […] [Huffington Post, 12/10/2014]
Walker administration harasses family planning clinics with politically motivated audits Planned Parenthood Public policy director Nicole Safar called the audits “clinic-closing” and said she was concerned the clinics were being targeted for political reasons. Department of Health Services Inspector General Alan White defended his auditors’ choice of targets and their findings. The drug billing program at issue is about $110 million a year of the […] [Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism, 11/01/2014]
Democratic lawmakers charged that audits of clinics were politically-motivated “Two Democratic lawmakers, Rep Chris Taylor of Madison and Sen Dave Hansen of Green Bay, wrote the [Office of Inspector General] on Oct. 27 saying “there appears to be no legal basis” for the claims. They asked the office to produce a list of open audits to prove it is not disproportionately targeting providers serving […] [Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism, 11/01/2014]
As a practical matter, Walker’s ultrasound mandate requires some women to get a transvaginal ultrasound “The ad alludes to a July 2013 Wisconsin law that requires women seeking an abortion to get an ultrasound — either transabdominally, which is done externally, or transvaginally. Wisconsin is among two dozen states that require an ultrasound before an abortion is performed. In Wisconsin, exceptions are made in cases of sexual assault or medical […] [Politifact, 10/24/2014]
Letter to Wisconsin Family Action reveals Scott Walker’s opinions on abortion, gay marriage “Just like his wink and nod with the radicals at Pro-Life Wisconsin, Gov. Walker’s trying to have it both ways,” Ross said. “It’s a pattern of deception from Gov. Walker, a career politician who is willing to mislead the people he’s supposed to serve to advance his own political ambitions.” [Capital Times, 10/22/2014]
As a legislator, Walker sponsored a 20-week abortion ban Walker has led the way on a “no exceptions” stance for Wisconsin in the past. As a state lawmaker, in 1998, he co-authored a bill that would have banned abortions after 20 weeks, even in cases of rape, incest or when the mother’s health was in jeopardy. Physicians who performed the procedure would have faced […] [Capital Times, 10/14/2014]
However, Walker claimed to have 2014 Pro-Life Wisconsin endorsement when he did not Pro-Life Wisconsin issued its own endorsement list in July, before the Aug. 12 primary election, followed by a narrowed list for the Nov. 4 general election. Most notably, the group did not publicly endorse any candidates in the races for attorney general, lieutenant governor or governor for the primary or general elections…The liberal advocacy group […] [Capital Times, 10/10/2014]
Walker’s campaign site touts Pro-Life Wisconsin endorsement he didn’t receive this year One Wisconsin Now executive director Scot Ross said touting the endorsement of a group that didn’t grant it for this election is an example of “the alarming pattern of deception with Scott Walker when it comes to women’s health,” noting the governor’s past support of Pro-Life Wisconsin and of laws the group supports. [Capital Times, 10/10/2014]
One Wisconsin Now Asks: Which Bill, Gov. Walker? In a recent campaign television ad Gov. Scott Walker, on record as opposed to abortion even in cases of rape or incest, speaks directly to the camera and tries to minimize the impact of “the bill”. [One Wisconsin Now, 10/10/2014]
Gov. Walker’s Choice: He Wants it Both Ways Gov. Walker's 20-year demonstrated record of extremism on women's reproductive health issues and a “100 percent” rating from an extremist group are at odds with his new TV ad. [One Wisconsin Now, 10/10/2014]
Fifth Planned Parenthood clinic closes in Wisconsin “A fifth Planned Parenthood health center closed in Wisconsin on Thursday due to state budget cuts that directed family planning money away from the provider. The Fond du Lac clinic did not provide abortion services. It offered birth control, sexually transmitted disease testing and treatment, pregnancy tests, annual exams and breast cancer screenings to over […] [Huffington Post, 09/25/2014]
After public outcry to Walker admin decision to stop enforcement of the contraceptive equity law, the Office of Commissioner of Insurance backed off, clarified its positions “Amid allegations Wisconsin has been incorrectly applying the U.S. Supreme Court’s Hobby Lobby ruling to state insurance law, a spokesman with the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance Thursday clarified statements made throughout the week and said the state is still enforcing its Contraceptive Equity Law. “We are enforcing it — the state contraceptive mandate […] [Capital Times, 07/25/2014]
Following Hobby Lobby Supreme Court decision, Walker administration announced it would no longer enforce the state’s contraceptive equity law “On Monday, a spokesperson from Republican Gov. Scott Walker’s administration told the conservative website Media Trackers that Wisconsin will no longer require employers to follow the state law mandating coverage. Current state law in Wisconsin mandates that companies with insurance plans covering certain services, like outpatient care, preventive treatment, and prescription drugs, must also cover […] [RH Reality Check, 07/25/2014]
Gov. Scott Walker on Denying Women Equal Access to Contraception: If at First You Don’t Succeed Try, Try Again This week the Walker administration announced it is halting enforcement of Wisconsin’s equity law, using the Hobby Lobby decision as justification, despite being quoted as saying, “It really hasn’t been an issue for us.” [One Wisconsin Now, 07/23/2014]
After eliminating Planned Parenthood from the Wisconsin Well Woman program, Walker’s administration then unilaterally proposed a complete overhaul of the program “The Wisconsin Well Woman Program provides preventative health screening services to low-income women who are uninsured or underinsured. It has been credited with providing more than 500,000 breast and cervical cancer screenings to more than 70,000 women. The system is designed to help women locally, with a “coordinating agency” in each of the state’s 72 […] [Huffington Post, 03/21/2014]
Ultimately, the Walker administration delayed changes to the Well Woman program after public pushback against his plan “Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker’s (R) administration announced Friday evening that it was delaying its controversial restructuring of a popular health care program for low-income women, after an outcry from women’s health advocates…” Stakeholders in the provider and coordinator communities have reached out to us with questions, concerns, and suggestions about how the proposed model would […] [Huffington Post, 03/21/2014]
Nearly 15,000 Sign Up to Tell Gov. Walker and Big Business Lobby: “Respect Wisconsin Women” Nearly 15,000 individuals have voiced their opposition to the anti-woman agenda of Gov. Walker and the state big business lobby, Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce. [One Wisconsin Now, 11/09/2013]
Scott Walker signs abortion bill; providers quickly sue “Gov. Scott Walker signed a bill Friday requiring doctors who perform abortions to have hospital admitting privileges, and abortion clinics responded by immediately suing state officials over the measure. The law — signed Friday by Walker in a private ceremony — would cut the number of clinics offering abortions in Wisconsin from four to two, […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 07/05/2013]
Wisconsin governor Scott Walker signs abortion bill requiring ultrasound Gov. Scott Walker quietly signed a contentious Republican bill Friday that would require women seeking abortions to undergo an ultrasound and ban doctors who lack admitting privileges at nearby hospitals from performing the procedures. Opponents contend legislators shouldn’t force women to undergo any medical procedure and the bill will force two abortion clinics where providers […] [Politico, 07/05/2013]
#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: 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]
Twenty Years of Walker Failures Day 2: Failing to Protect Women’s Health OWN is highlighting different Walker fails over the course of 20 days. Day two discusses right wing legislation attacking women’s health care. Scot Ross commented, “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 […] [Common Dreams, 06/10/2013]
Walker’s budget cuts forced closure of Planned Parenthood clinics “Planned Parenthood will be closing four rural Wisconsin locations between April and July because the nonprofit health care organization has lost $1.1 million in state funding, officials announced Monday. The centers in Beaver Dam, Johnson Creek, Chippewa Falls and Shawano don’t get enough private funding to stay financially viable without the state support, which the […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 02/18/2013]
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]
Walker signed the repeal of the Healthy Youth Act along with several anti-women bills “Gov. Scott Walker signed four bills relating to women’s reproductive health and pay equality without the usual public fanfare last Thursday, a move that came under fire from Democrats and advocacy groups. Walker signed the four bills into law on Thursday and announced their signing, along with 47 other bills, in a statement released the […] [Badger Herald, 04/09/2012]
Walker Signed Equal Pay Repeal and Abortion Restriction Bills In Private and Released Them on Good Friday Walker, a Republican, signed the bills Thursday but didn’t announce the move until midday Friday, when his office released a list of more than 50 bills he signed Thursday and Friday…Walker also signed a bill that prohibits workers from collecting damages in employment discrimination cases. Under current state law, employees who prevail in discrimination lawsuits […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 04/07/2012]
Walker signed a bill prohibiting plans in the Wisconsin state exchange from offering abortion coverage “On April 5, 2012, Governor Walker signed into law SB 92, a bill prohibiting plans in a state exchange from offering abortion coverage, except in cases of rape, incest, or to avert severe physical impairment or death of the pregnant woman.” [Kaiser Family Foundation, 04/05/2012]
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]
Walker ended contract with Planned Parenthood for Wisconsin Well Woman cancer screening program “Beth Kaplan, a spokeswoman for the Department of Health Services, told Mother Jones that no decision has been made on the contract and would not comment on why it might not be continued. But Tanya Atkinson, executive director of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin, says they were told that the state is cutting them out […] [Mother Jones, 12/16/2011]
Walker signed repeal of comprehensive sex education requirement, known as the Healthy Youth Act. Schools in Wisconsin that teach sex education would be required to promote abstinence and marriage under a bill passed by the state Senate Wednesday night on a party-line vote. The controversial Republican-backed legislation would dismantle a new state law passed by Democrats last year, which requires schools that offer sex education to include information about […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 11/03/2011]
Walker’s first budget cut $1 million in state funds to Planned Parenthood “Among measures cheered by anti-abortion groups, the 2011-13 biennial budget prohibits any entity that provides abortions at any of its facilities from participating in the state’s family planning program. The change renders Planned Parenthood, which performs abortions at three Wisconsin sites, ineligible for those funds and means an annual loss of about $1 million to […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 07/03/2011]
2011 Walker budget prohibited funding of organizations that provide abortions or make referrals for abortion services “Require that DHS distribute women’s health funds only to public entities. Allow a public entity that receives women’s health funds to provide some or all of those funds to other public or private entities, provided that the recipient of these funds does not do any of the following: (a) provide abortion services; (b) make referrals […] [Legislative Fiscal Bureau, 06/30/2011]
Walker did not veto anti-abortion budget provision, despite calls for him to do so “Walker also is keeping in place a budget provision that would bar the University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority from providing abortions, despite claims by some that it could put at risk the university’s accreditation for its obstetrics and gynecology program. Walker said he did not believe the university would lose that accreditation. “I […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 06/26/2011]
Provision in state budget signed by Walker prohibits UW Hospital and Clinics from funding abortions A provision inserted in the state budget would prohibit UW Hospital and Clinics from funding abortions, but it’s unclear whether that will stop the hospital from offering required abortion experience to doctors-in-training. Abortions are not performed at UW Hospital and Clinics, but obstetrics and gynecology residents train at Planned Parenthood to learn about family planning, […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 06/22/2011]
UW Hospital said it was unclear if provision in budget signed by Walker would require the UW to stop offering abortion training Dr. Carl Getto, senior vice president for medical affairs at UW Hospital, said he doesn’t know if the proposed law means they would need to stop offering abortion training. If it does, Getto said the legislation could jeopardize national accreditation for the obstetrics and gynecology training program. The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education requires […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 06/22/2011]
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 attempted to repeal the state’s contraceptive equity law in his 2011 budget proposal “Gov. Scott Walker wants to again give insurance companies discretion over whether they will cover contraception. His budget, released Tuesday, proposes the elimination of a recently passed law that requires insurance plans that cover prescription drugs to also include coverage for prescription birth control. Walker’s budget summary says the requirement is an “unacceptable government mandate […] [Capital Times, 03/02/2011]
Right Wing’s “National Marriage Week” Failing Miserably Early last week Wisconsin Family Action made a thrilling announcement: Republican Gov. Scott Walker had issued a National Marriage Week proclamation! While many view the week as nothing more than a thinly-veiled attack on same-sex couples and the voices in the LGBT community, the GOP often jumps at the chance to appease their ultra-conservative base […] [Cody Oliphant, 02/08/2011]
Walker Confirmed Support for Personhood in Responses to 2010 Pro-Life Wisconsin Questionnaire “Barrett’s campaign, though, points to the first question on the survey: ‘Would you sign legislation that declares that a preborn child has an inalienable right to life from the moment of fertilization forward?…Did Walker know about — and agree with — the group’s views on birth control as causing abortion?For the 2010 election, candidates were […] [Politifact, 11/01/2010]
Walker’s Real Record on Stem Cells: Ban Embryonic Stem Cell Research Walker refuses to admit he would support a ban on embryonic stem cell research if elected governor, but Walker told supporters in 2005 he would have signed a bill Gov. Jim Doyle vetoed at the time that was a direct threat to embryonic stem cell research. [One Wisconsin Now, 10/19/2010]
Walker opposes abortion, including in instances of rape and incest Walker opposes abortion, including in instances of rape and incest. He’s against a state program that uses state and federal money to provide birth control to girls as young as 15 and says government shouldn’t take the place of parents on such matters. He supports allowing pharmacists to refuse to fill emergency contraception prescriptions on […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 10/02/2010]
Walker signed questionnaire agreeing to sign legislation that bans abortion in all cases, without exception for rape, incest, health or life of the mother Walker received the endorsement of Pro-Life Wisconsin. In 2010, the survey included the question, “Would you sign legislation that bans abortion in all cases? (Pro-Life Wisconsin supports legal protection for all preborn babies, including those conceived in rape and incest. If a physician claims that a mother’s life may be in danger, PLW opposes direct […] [Pro-Life Wisconsin, 06/22/2010]
Walker received endorsement of Pro-Life Wisconsin based on “100% Pro-Life” rating, which includes support for personhood The Pro-Life Wisconsin Victory Fund Political Action Committee (PAC) today announced its dual endorsement of Mark Neumann and Scott Walker for Wisconsin governor….Pro-Life Wisconsin Victory Fund supports candidates for public office who demonstrate a commitment to protect each and every innocent human life – in all circumstances and at all stages of development. To be […] [Pro-Life Wisconsin, 06/22/2010]
Walker Agreed to Ban Abortion in All Cases, Without Exception for the Life of the Mother As noted in articles above, Pro-Life Wisconsin requires a 100% rating to receive their endorsement. Walker won the endorsement in 2010 by answering yes to this question, among others: “1. Would you sign legislation that bans abortion in all cases? (Pro-Life Wisconsin supports legal protection for all preborn babies, including those conceived in rape and […] [Pro-Life Wisconsin candidate survey, 01/01/2010]
Walker Vetoed County Domestic Partner Benefits Study A Milwaukee County Board committee on Monday recommended that the full board sustain County Executive Scott Walker’s veto of a measure that would lay the groundwork for granting domestic partner health benefits to county employees. The Personnel Committee voted 5-2 to uphold Walker’s Nov. 16 veto. Walker and other opponents of the domestic partners measure […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 12/14/2009]
Scott Walker Still Hates Gays One might ask Walker to join the 21st century or stop taking benefits on the government teat. Ask him loudly, in fact. Again, Walker if Milwaukee can give your family health care benefits, so should domestic partners have the same right. In fact, Walker, what makes your wife, or your two kids more worthy of […] [Scot Ross, 11/05/2009]
Walker Says Domestic Partner Benefits Provided by Milwaukee County Too Expensive “I’ve had concerns about (county benefits) in general because of the cost. Quite frankly, I think people are fed up with a number of benefits given at the county level. The last thing we can do is be adding even more to it.” [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 04/21/2002]
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 Co-Authored Bill to Bar Distribution of Contraception At Schools or Through School Based Medical Services The proposal would have prohibited funding for or allowing school based programs to distribute or prescribe contraceptives. [2001 AB 653, 06/05/2001]
Walker’s bill would have allowed pharmacists to refuse to fill contraceptive prescriptions “Pharmacists could refuse to fill birth control prescriptions if doing so violates their moral or ethical beliefs under a bill before a state committee. The “conscience clause bill” (AB 168) introduced by Rep. Scott Walker, R-Wauwatosa, is aimed at the so-called “morning after” pill, which stops a pregnancy after unprotected sex, and the abortion drug […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 04/12/2001]
Walker Sponsored Bill Adding Requirement to “Informed Consent” Law Provisions of bill would have required women seeking an abortion to be told they could “anonymously and with immunity from liability relinquish custody of her newborn child to a law enforcement officer, an emergency medical technician, or a hospital staff member when the newborn child is 72 hours old or younger.” [2001 AB 450, 01/01/2001]
Walker’s ‘Gag Rule’ Criticized for Prohibiting Medical Students From Training Walker’s proposal does permit state and local government employees to perform an abortion or assist in its performance to save the life of the mother, a concession that the procedure can be medically necessary. Yet, he would have medical students receiving no instruction in the subject. Which doesn’t compute. No medically necessary procedures should be […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 06/29/1999]
Walker Introduced ‘Gag Rule’ Budget Amendment “Teaching any abortion-related topic or abortion technique in Wisconsin’s medical schools would be prohibited by a measure to be added to the state budget by Assembly Republicans. The budget addition, already approved by the Assembly Republican caucus, is scheduled to be approved on an Assembly floor vote next week, but will have a hard time […] [Capital Times, 06/24/1999]
Walker Introduced Bills to Allow Health Care Workers to Refuse Treatment This bill expands the definition of employment discrimination based on creed to include discriminating against a health care provider on the basis of his or her refusal, based on creed, to participate in any of the following activities: 1) sterilization procedures; 2) certain procedures that prevent the implantation of a fertilized human ovum; 3) abortions; […] [2001 AB 168, 01/01/1999]
Walker Sponsored Bill Prohibiting Use of State Money for Counseling About Birth Control or Prescribing Birth Control for Minors Without Parental Notification The bill banned “the use of funds for family planning services and pregnancy counseling to prescribe, dispense or administer a contraceptive prescription drug or device to a minor without parental notification.” [1999 AB 632, 01/01/1999]
Walker Authored ‘Gag Rule’ Bill According to the Legislative Reference Bureau analysis, “This bill creates new prohibitions against using public employes and public property for abortion-related activity. First, the bill provides that no person employed by this state, by a state agency or by a local governmental unit may, while acting within the scope of his or her employment, provide […] [1997 AB 740, 06/05/1997]
Walker authored bill that could have allowed refusal of treatment, including pharmacists refusing to fill birth control prescriptions According to the Legislative Reference Bureau analysis, the bill expanded “the definition of employment discrimination based on creed to include discriminating against a health care provider on the basis of his or her written refusal, based on creed, to participate in any of the following activities: sterilization procedures; certain procedures that prevent the implantation of […] [1997 AB 953, 06/05/1997]
Walker Voted For Legislation to Prohibit Same Sex Marriage The bill prohibited same sex marriages from occurring in Wisconsin and prohibited the state from recognizing a same sex marriage performed in another state where it was legal. (Assembly Journal) [1997 AB 104, 05/13/1997]
Walker Sponsored Legislation to Shield Doctors From Lawsuits for Failing to Inform Parents About Prenatal Birth Defects The bill “creates an immunity from a wrongful birth or wrongful life action for a person who commits an act or fails to commit an act and that act or omission results in the birth of a child because a woman did not undergo an abortion that she would have undergone had the person not […] [1997 AB 538; 1999 AB 535; 2001 AB 360, 01/01/1997]
Walker Lead Author of State Employee Abortion “Gag Rule” The bill cut off any state funding for pro-choice groups and prohibited a state employee while acting within the scope of his or her employment from providing abortion services, promoting, encouraging or counseling in favor of abortion services or make abortion referrals either directly or through an intermediary in any instance other than when an […] [1997 AB 740, 01/01/1997]
Walker Authored Legislation Allowing Providers to Deny Patients Treatment Based on a Religious or Moral Objection The bill proposed allowing doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other health care workers to refuse to participate in sterilization, abortion, assisted suicide and other procedures or dispensing emergency contraception or birth control based on their personal religious or moral beliefs. [1997 AB 953, 01/01/1997]
Sponsor of “Partial Birth Abortion Ban” Without Exception for Health of Mother Walker sponsored 1997 Assembly Bill 220 to criminally ban an abortion procedure that included an exception for the life of the mother, but not her health. [1997 WI Act 219, 01/01/1997]
Walker Wanted to Eliminate State Funding for Sex Education in Public Schools “I won’t shy away from the fact that it had appeal to myself and other conservative members who don’t believe we should fund this, but the broad appeal was financial.” [Capital Times, 07/17/1995]
Walker was a sponsor of and voted for bill requiring a mandatory counseling and a 24 hour waiting period before a woman can obtain an abortion According to the Legislative Reference Bureau, the bill, which was signed into law, deleted requirements “for provision of information on the availability of public and private agencies to provide birth control information and on the availability of services to assist a minor in seeking consent for the abortion or in petitioning a court for a […] [1995 AB 441, 06/05/1995]
Walker Sponsored State Law Requiring “Informed Consent” for Abortion The bill, signed in to law in May 1996, expanded “requirements for a woman’s informed consent for performance or inducement of an abortion and for consent to a minor’s obtaining an abortion and providing a penalty” [1995 WI Act 309, 01/01/1995]
Walker Sponsored Legislation Criminalizing Causing Harm to Fetus The bill created a “series of crimes providing penalties, based on current law, for persons who cause death, great bodily harm or harm to an unborn child.” [1995 AB 146, 01/01/1995]
Walker Sponsored Bill to Prohibit Abortion Coverage for State Employees The bill would have banned the state group insurance board from providing group health insurance coverage for abortion to employees in the Wisconsin retirement system. [1993 SB 727, 01/01/1993]