Gov. Walker’s Mental Health Funding Announcement Belies Disastrous Record

One Wisconsin Now Executive Director Scot Ross released the following statements in response to Gov. Walker’s announcement on mental health funding in his 2013-15 budget proposal:

“To call Scott Walker’s record on mental health abhorrent would be an understatement.

“As Milwaukee County Executive he was entrusted with overseeing the mental health system we entrust with caring for some of the most vulnerable in our society. But under Walker, the system was repeatedly cited for mismanagement and critical safety lapses. Meanwhile, he put political ambition before compassion for those in need and turned his back on federal funding that could have underwritten desperately needed facility repairs.

“The result was tragic death and unconscionable abuse.

“For the sake of Wisconsinites struggling with mental illness or those that have loved ones in crisis, we hope today’s announcement is will be more than just another token policy effort or talking point intended to burnish Gov. Walker’s public image.”

Visit www.ScottWalkerFailureFiles.com for additional research and documentation of Gov. Walker’s mismanagement of mental health services while Milwaukee County Executive. A memo on his disastrous record is available at: http://www.scottwalkerfailurefiles.com/pdf/SWFF-MismanagementMentalHealth.pdf