Budgets

In this section, you’ll find lowlights from Scott Walker’s budgets, both as county executive and governor. As governor, Walker’s approach has been to reward the wealthy and corporations with tax cuts, both in the budget and through special legislation, while slashing funds to public education, technical colleges, public assistance programs, and the UW System.

In his first budget, Scott Walker made the largest per student cuts to education in the nation, and in his most recent budget he again proposed cutting $127 million from public schools, while increasing funds going to unaccountable taxpayer funded voucher schools.

As county executive, Scott Walker would often propose an unworkable budget with severe cuts, leaving the county board to fix it and make tax increases if necessary. Walker would then use his partial veto on swaths of the budget, and the county board would override. He could then claim to his conservative base that he did not increase any taxes.

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Scott Walker, GOP Seek Lame Duck Session to Send $100 Million to Corporation That’s Had $1 in Net State Tax Since 2013 Scott Fitzgerald said he will ask for an extraordinary session after the November election to consider a $100 million incentive package for Kimberly-Clark. [One Wisconsin Now, 10/02/2018]
Desperate Scott Walker Wants to Hand Out More Election-Year Corporate Welfare Scott Walker wants to write another election-year check for corporate welfare instead of investing Wisconsin tax dollars into Wisconsin. [One Wisconsin Now, 10/01/2018]
Kimberly-Clark Wants Wisconsin’s Commitment on Tax Incentives One Wisconsin Now recently said that Kimberly-Clark is pressuring the state for tax incentives, even though it pays virtually no income taxes to Wisconsin. [Bloomberg, 09/17/2018]
One Wisconsin Now Statements on Scott Walker Latest Corporate Welfare Scheme Kimberly-Clark has had $1 in Wisconsin state net tax burden the last four years available. Now Gov. Walker is calling for the passage of a giveaway. [One Wisconsin Now, 09/14/2018]
Scott Walker noncommittal to Fiserv incentive package in wake of arena naming rights deal Despite approving a legislative aid package, Gov. Scott Walker Thursday sounded noncommittal to awarding $12.5 million in incentives to Fiserv after the firm paid for naming rights to the new Milwaukee Bucks arena. In September, Wisconsin lawmakers agreed to give Brookfield-based Fiserv up to $12.5 million if it keeps its headquarters in the state. Last […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 08/02/2018]
State to expand collections of online sales tax Oct. 1 Gov. Scott Walker’s administration plans to expand collection of taxes for online purchases by Oct. 1 as permitted by a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling. How it will do so — and whether small retailers might be exempt from having to collect and remit taxes for online sales — remains unclear, because the administration isn’t […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 07/04/2018]
DOR receives nearly 560K child tax rebate claims The state Department of Revenue has received nearly 560,000 claims for Gov. Scott Walker’s $100 per-child tax credit. The deadline for filing a claim was 11:59 p.m. Monday. According to a posting on DOR’s website Tuesday morning, the agency has received 558,415 claims. DOR spokeswoman Patricia Mayers didn’t immediately reply to an email Tuesday inquiring […] [WITI-TV, 07/03/2018]
Wisconsin to begin collecting online sales taxes Oct. 1 Gov. Scott Walker’s administration will begin collecting online sales tax revenue Oct. 1. The collection will generate an additional $90 million in revenue over the next year, and $120 million the following year, according to an analysis released Monday by the nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau. Wispolitics.com first reported on Walker’s plans. A spokeswoman for Walker […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 07/03/2018]
Some Republicans propose using sales tax money for new tax cuts A U.S. Supreme Court ruling making it easier to collect online sales taxes could yield billions of dollars for state and local governments — if they decide to keep it. Rather than spend the windfall on schools, prisons or other government services, some Republican governors and lawmakers are proposing to give it away in the […] [Statesboro Herald, 07/02/2018]
Analysis: Wisconsin could get $120 million from internet sales taxes A new analysis shows Wisconsin could rake in an additional $90 million in internet sales taxes this fiscal year if lawmakers decide to start collection this fall. The U.S. Supreme Court last month upheld South Dakota’s plan to collect online sales taxes, clearing the way for other states. A Legislative Fiscal Bureau analysis released Monday […] [WBAY-TV, 07/02/2018]
Walker: overall tax to stay flat, even with online sales tax increase Wisconsin might start collecting sales tax for online purchases. But Gov. Scott Walker said any tax increase would be offset by tax cuts somewhere else. Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled states could collect online sales taxes far more broadly than before. In Wausau this week, Walker said the state would cut a different […] [WJFW-TV, 06/29/2018]
What you need to know as the deadline for Wisconsin’s $100-per-child tax rebate hits “It’s a short-term attempt at a headline,” said Joanna Beilman-Dulin, research director of the liberal group One Wisconsin Now. [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 06/28/2018]
Gov. Scott Walker Orders No Increases for Priorities Like Road Funding, Job Training in Next State Budget Are Wisconsinites Starting to See How They’ll Pay With the ‘Foxconn Effect’ on State Budget? [One Wisconsin Now, 05/15/2018]
Kimberly-Clark tax incentive bill appears dead A tax break package designed to stop giant papermaker Kimberly-Clark from eliminating 600 jobs in northeast Wisconsin appears to be dead in the state Legislature. Republican Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald said Tuesday he is hopeful that Gov. Scott Walker’s administration can continue working with the company and possibly take action without needing the Legislature […] [Associated Press, 03/20/2018]
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]
Wisconsin Assembly, Walker propose child rebate, tax holiday Wisconsin families with school-aged children would receive a one-time $100 tax rebate this summer and state sales tax would be waived on certain purchases the first weekend in August under a deal Gov. Scott Walker and Assembly Republicans announced Thursday. [Chicago Tribune, 02/11/2018]
Walker says tax credits could go to other paper companies Gov. Scott Walker said Wednesday that proposed job-retention tax credits for consumer products giant Kimberly-Clark Corp. could be extended to other paper companies if there are “significant opportunities” to retain and add jobs. [Associated Press, 02/07/2018]
Scott Walker floats gas tax increase as means to get federal road funding Gov. Scott Walker reopened Thursday the possibility of raising the state’s gas tax to pay the state’s share of a proposed $1.5 trillion federal infrastructure package… “We’re willing to invest to obtain those dollars to grow and build our infrastructure here,” Walker said. “I’m willing to look at ways to add to our revenue in […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 02/02/2018]
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]
GOP enthusiasm cools for Walker’s proposed child credit Republican enthusiasm for Gov. Scott Walker’s proposed $122 million child rebate appears to be cooling. Walker proposed Wednesday giving every family $100 for each child living at home under age 18. The money would be delivered this fall, shortly before he stands for re-election… Conservative talk radio host Jay Weber blasted the idea on Twitter […] [Associated Press, 01/25/2018]
Walker Says Tax Change Will Be $2,508 Cut for Typical Family "It's the unfairness of the plan that is the flaw," said Scot Ross, director of the liberal group One Wisconsin Now. [Associated Press, 12/27/2017]
Deduction targeted by GOP used by tax filers in most states One Wisconsin Now says repealing the deduction would have “the net effect of a massive property tax increase for Wisconsin homeowners.” [Associated Press, 11/19/2017]
Defense Attorney or District Attorney? A sleazy last-minute budget deal between Gov. Scott Walker and three GOP state senators has raised legal questions and drawn a request for investigation. [One Wisconsin Now, 10/18/2017]
Gov. Scott Walker Mum on Trump-Pence-Ryan Proposed Tax Hike on Wisconsin Hardworking Wisconsin Taxpayers Could Be Paying More So Wealthy, Multi-National Corporations Can Pay Less [One Wisconsin Now, 09/28/2017]
Jenni Dye: Scott Walker’s weakness leaves Republicans wrangling over budget What leadership has Gov. Walker shown to rise above the infighting and repudiation of major sections of his budget by fellow Republicans? None. [Capital Times, 06/14/2017]
DNR Magazine Saved, Walker to Get Property Tax Cut Handing Gov. Scott Walker a victory as a prepares for a likely re-election bid next year, Republican leaders of the Legislature’s budget-writing committee said Wednesday they will go along with his $180 million property tax cut proposal. The Joint Finance Committee also voted Wednesday to continue publication of a popular outdoors magazine that Walker had […] [Associated Press, 05/31/2017]
Scott Walker administration: 10 percent jump in premiums without self-insurance Refusing to self-insure state employees would trigger a 10 percent increase in health care premiums for 2018 — 3 percent more than what Gov. Scott Walker’s budget plans for, state officials said Friday. And revised estimates released by the Walker administration also show the state would save about $43 million more than the $60 million […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 05/27/2017]
State budget panel green lights Scott Walker’s plan to drug test Medicaid, food stamp recipients The state Legislature’s budget-writing committee voted on Thursday to require some Wisconsin residents using food stamps and receiving public health care to be tested for drug use and to meet work requirements in exchange for benefits.The Joint Finance Committee, the state’s budget-writing panel, voted 12-4 to approve Walker’s plan that would make Wisconsin the first […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 05/26/2017]
Walker Defends Plan to End State Property Tax Gov. Scott Walker is defending provisions in the state budget that would end the state’s portion of the property tax.Walker said during an interview the “Jerry Bader Show on WTAQ radio in Green Bay on Friday that critics have ripped the idea because it would permanently erase a state revenue source. [Associated Press, 05/26/2017]
Gov. Walker on transportation budget: “Get it done” Gov. Scott Walker has three words for state lawmakers: “Get it done.” The governor called on the legislature to get the transportation budget completed during a stop in Neenah. The transportation budget faces a nearly $1 billion shortfall. [WBAY-TV, 05/25/2017]
How Performance-Based Funding Could Impact Wisconsin’s Public Universities Wisconsin lawmakers are deciding whether to reward UW System schools based on how they perform. And experts say the idea has its share of pros and cons. The concept of “performance-based funding” is pretty self-explanatory. As Gov. Scott Walker conceived of the idea in his biennial budget, it would award $42 million extra to UW […] [WUWM-FM, 05/24/2017]
Scott Walker tweeted a threat to veto the state budget, perplexing Republicans who control the Legislature Gov. Scott Walker, in another sign of escalating tension with fellow Republicans who control the Legislature, vowed Monday to take the unprecedented step of vetoing the entire $76 billion state budget if it raises property taxes on homeowners. Walker issued the unusual warning publicly on Twitter first on Thursday, via his @GovWalker account, and then […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 05/23/2017]
Foresters Push Back As Walker Pushes Property Tax Cuts Gov. Scott Walker is making an aggressive push to eliminate the state’s portion of property tax bills in the 2017-19 state budget, but his proposal is getting resistance from forestry groups across the state. For the average homeowner, the forestry mill tax cost about $26 in 2016, according to the Legislative Fiscal Bureau. The tax […] [WPR, 05/19/2017]
Budget panel drops Walker’s Wisconsin tech school tuition freeze The Legislature’s budget committee on Thursday tossed aside Gov. Scott Walker’s plan to freeze tuition at technical colleges and restructured a program for buying environmentally friendly buses. The Joint Finance Committee also signed off on expanding a property tax break for Marquette University, potentially shifting the tax burden to other homeowners and businesses in Milwaukee. […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 05/18/2017]
Testing Scott Walker claim on record education funding in Wisconsin Our rating Walker said in his budget address — and in the weeks and months since — that Wisconsin is investing more in education than ever in the history of the state. This is true in raw dollars but the statement doesn’t account for inflation-adjusted numbers, which is the best way to look at figures […] [PolitiFact, 05/17/2017]
PolitiFact: Testing Scott Walker on record education spending Gov. Scott Walker says “We are investing more money into education than ever before in the history of Wisconsin.” Is he right? PolitiFact Wisconsin found one major issue: Inflation. [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 05/17/2017]
Budget move would let Wisconsin sex offenders live closer to schools, day care centers Sexual predators would have to live in their home counties when they are released but could be placed near schools, parks and day care centers, under a plan adopted Tuesday by the Legislature’s budget committee.The legislator behind the plan said he wanted to crack down on judges placing violent sex offenders far from their home […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 05/16/2017]
Governor Walker, Senator Fitzgerald oppose separating roads budget Gov. Scott Walker joined Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald on Thursday, May 11th in denouncing separating transportation funding from the state budget, saying there’s no reason to take that unusual approach to break an impasse in the Republican-controlled Legislature over how to pay for roads. The Republican co-chairs of the budget committee said Thursday they […] [WITI-TV, 05/11/2017]
Scott Walker’s self-insurance proposal appears to be dead The Republican leaders of the Legislature’s budget committee plan to reject Gov. Scott Walker’s proposal to self-insure state employees, but find other ways to try to save money under the existing system. The announcement marks the likely defeat of one of the governor’s most ambitious and contentious proposals in his 2017-19 budget plan. The removal […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 05/10/2017]
Lawmakers Plan To Reject Self-Insurance For State Employees State lawmakers plan to reject Gov. Scott Walker’s pitch to move state employee health plans to a self-insurance model. Walker included the plan in his proposed 2017-19 budget the Joint Finance Committee is re-working and voting on. The announcement to not move forward with the switch was made at a Tuesday afternoon press conference, where […] [WPR, 05/09/2017]
Insurance could shift for 250,000 Wisconsin state workers under Scott Walker budget proposal After years of skepticism, lawmakers must now decide on Gov. Scott Walker’s plan to save at least $60 million by restructuring health insurance for some 250,000 government employees and their families. The Republican governor wants the state to shift from a model in which the state pays premiums to private insurers to cover state and […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 05/08/2017]
Kooyenga hopeful that Scott Walker and state senators will buy in to state transportation plan After rejecting Gov. Scott Walker’s transportation budget, state Rep. Dale Kooyenga, R-Brookfield, and Assembly Republicans put forward a new plan to fund state transportation last Thursday. It includes applying sales tax to gas sales, cutting the gas tax, cutting state income taxes, opening up the possibility of toll roads and increasing fees for electric vehicles […] [Capital Times, 05/07/2017]
Gov. Scott Walker pans increase in gas taxes for Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker has rejected the heart of a GOP roads plan, saying it amounted to a net tax increase on fuel of more than $400 million over two years. Assembly Republicans put forward the proposal Thursday to apply new taxes on fuel, cut the state’s required markup on gas and dramatically scale back income […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 05/07/2017]
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker doesn’t support Assembly GOP gas tax changes Assembly Republicans’ plan to pay for Wisconsin roads by applying the sales tax to gas has run into a roadblock in Gov. Scott Walker. The GOP governor and Assembly Republicans have been grappling over how to fill a projected $1 billion shortfall in the state’s transportation fund. Walker’s state budget calls for delaying projects and […] [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 05/06/2017]
Gov. Scott Walker mum on Wisconsin GOP lawmakers’ roads plan, cautious on flat tax Gov. Scott Walker signaled skepticism Wednesday of any quick approval of a proposed flat income tax even as he repeatedly held off on commenting on most parts of a larger tax and transportation plan from Assembly Republicans. In an interview, Walker said he’s waiting to see the full details Thursday on the sweeping GOP proposal […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 05/03/2017]
GOP plan would hike Wisconsin taxes on gas, slash income taxes and borrowing Wisconsin would hike taxes on gasoline and slash income taxes and borrowing for roads, under a proposal being discussed privately by top Assembly Republicans. The sweeping plan by Rep. Dale Kooyenga (R-Brookfield) is expected to be presented to rank-and-file GOP lawmakers in the Assembly as soon as Thursday and then to the public. [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 05/02/2017]
Assembly Republicans May Propose New Sales Tax on Gas An Assembly Republican alternative to Gov. Scott Walker’s funding plan for roads may include a new sales tax on gasoline along with cuts to income taxes as part of an overreaching tax overhaul, a different approach to what other GOP leaders have advocated. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel first reported details of the plan Tuesday that’s […] [Associated Press, 05/02/2017]
Governor Scott Walker makes a stop at North Lakeland School Governor Scott Walker has been traveling to different schools around the state in an effort to promote his proposed $649 million increase for all K-12 schools in Wisconsin in his biennial budget proposal. Walker addressed fourth and seventh grade students, teachers, and school board members on Friday, April 21, discussing future job opportunities and how […] [LakeLand Times, 04/28/2017]
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]
Battle over manufacturing tax break continues One Wisconsin Now said the Walker administration itself could not back up any claims of job growth due to the credit. [Lakeland Times, 04/25/2017]
Scott Walker backs using more general fund taxes for transportation Gov. Scott Walker said Monday he has no interest in raising the gas tax or vehicle registration fees in the budget, but he supports using general fund taxes to help pay for roads. The comments Monday signaled the direction Republicans may be headed as they try to break up a logjam on how to fund […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 04/25/2017]
Gov. Scott Walker open to raising vehicle registration fees Gov. Scott Walker remains opposed to raising the gas tax, but he’s not shutting the door on higher vehicle registration fees. Walker tells WKOW-TV in an interview Thursday that “there might be some other ways” to paying for roads in Wisconsin other than gas tax hikes. He did not rule out raising transportation-related fees as […] [WITI-TV, 04/21/2017]
Scott Walker wants to let schools cut down on class time. That’s really risky. Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker doesn’t seem to care how many hours schoolkids are in the classroom, as long as they can pass standardized tests — a proposal that could go against the academic consensus that time in the classroom matters. In his recent budget proposal, Walker called for state lawmakers to get rid of the […] [Vox, 04/11/2017]
Unusual budget maneuver sets up showdown on conservative policies, transportation Last week, the leaders of the Legislature’s powerful budget committee tossed out dozens of Gov. Scott Walker’s proposals — including his entire transportation budget — though some could be coming back as lawmakers write their own version of the state’s new two-year spending plan. The 83 proposals stripped out of the 2017-19 budget were identified […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 04/09/2017]
Budget committee removes 83 Scott Walker budget proposals In another sign of trouble for Gov. Scott Walker’s plan to borrow more and delay road construction projects, the Legislature’s Republican-controlled budget committee announced Thursday it would start its negotiations from scratch rather than from the governor’s road-funding proposal. [Wisconsin State Journal, 04/07/2017]
Scott Walker official pressed on mental health A Democratic state senator pressed Republican Gov. Scott Walker’s top health official last week to support hiking Medicaid reimbursement rates for mental health providers in the state. The testy exchange in a state budget hearing highlighted a key debate around mental health services in the state. Boosting Medicaid rates was identified by USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin’s […] [Appleton Post-Crescent, 04/06/2017]
Joint Finance Committee eliminates proposal allowing students to opt out of segregated fees Following much backlash from students throughout the University of Wisconsin System about the possibility of being able to opt out of allocable segregated fees, state legislators eliminated the contentious proposal Thursday. After Gov. Scott Walker introduced a state budget including a provision that would allow UW System students to choose not to pay for student […] [Badger Herald, 04/06/2017]
Gundersen CEO welcomes Walker budget plans to train workforce Gundersen Health System CEO Scott Rathgaber finds comfort in the fact that Gov. Scott Walker’s proposed budget addresses workforce shortages that bedevil health care and other industries, but he makes it clear that he doesn’t want to hog the pot. “I’m particularly grateful that Gov. Walker is addressing workforce issues,” Rathgaber said Tuesday after Walker […] [La Crosse Tribune, 04/05/2017]
Assembly Speaker Robin Vos keeps brakes on Milwaukee I-94 project The leader of the state Assembly kept the brakes on rebuilding a section of I-94 in Milwaukee on Wednesday, a day after a coalition of prominent business officials asked lawmakers to make sure the project gets done. “The delays on the I-94 N-S in Racine County have continued for far too long,” said a written […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 04/05/2017]
Education Issues Take Center Stage At First Public Hearing On Budget Education issues took center stage at the first public hearing on the 2017-2019 state budget Monday in Platteville. Dozens of citizens testified on issues including funding for a new engineering building on the University of Wisconsin-Platteville campus, increased spending on K-12 education statewide and a proposed opt-out for student fees on UW System campuses. [WPR, 04/03/2017]
No funding push to clear rape kit backlog Schimel didn’t ask lawmakers last year to fund rape kit testing as part of the Department of Justice’s two-year budget request and no proposal was included in Walker’s proposed state budget this year. The budget is now being reviewed by legislators before being sent back to Walker. USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin asked Walker and the Legislature’s […] [USA Today, 04/01/2017]
Assembly Speaker slams Scott Walker for changing position on gas tax Assembly Speaker Robin Vos on Thursday slammed Gov. Scott Walker for changing his position on a possible gas tax increase in the state budget and called the transportation secretary’s position on the issue of road funding “delusional.” “I’m waiting for an actual rock-hard position I can trust people to stick with and I haven’t seen […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 03/31/2017]
Lawmakers Take Aim At Walker Transportation Budget Some of the sharpest criticism of the governor’s plan came from Joint Finance Committee co-chair John Nygren, a Republican from Marinette, who focused on a recent audit and a DOT report that showed the condition of Wisconsin’s roads had steadily declined and were poised to get even worse. “How do you, as a secretary of […] [WPR, 03/30/2017]
UW System President: Walker’s Budget A ‘Move In The Right Direction’ University of Wisconsin System President Ray Cross said Thursday that Gov. Scott Walker’s proposed budget for state colleges and universities is a “move in the right direction.” Cross testified about the UW System budget before lawmakers on the state budget committee Thursday afternoon. [WPR, 03/30/2017]
DNR’s Cathy Stepp defends her record on climate change and pollution Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources secretary Cathy Stepp defended her agency’s record on climate change and environmental protection during a legislative hearing Thursday on Gov. Scott Walker’s proposed 2017-19 budget. The department is making progress fixing shortcomings in enforcement of water quality laws by reallocating employees, so legislators don’t need to be concerned that Walker’s […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 03/30/2017]
Fiscal bureau: Scott Walker’s budget leaves $1.1 billion hole starting in 2019 It shows Walker’s plan for the 2017-19 budget, which back-loads spending and tax cuts into its second fiscal year, leaves a structural deficit of $1.1 billion that lawmakers would have to erase in crafting the 2019-21 budget. A previous estimate from Walker’s office pegged the number at about $740 million. [Wisconsin State Journal, 03/24/2017]
Why a $1 billion shortfall looks like progress under Gov. Scott Walker’s budget Gov. Scott Walker’s budget would leave the state with a mid-sized shortfall of just over $1 billion after the 2018 election, a new report finds. The projections by the nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau find that if Walker’s current budget bill is passed the state would have a two-year shortfall of $1.05 billion going into the […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 03/24/2017]
Tax credit loophole cost state $27 million over past 4 years A tax credit loophole slated for elimination in Gov. Scott Walker’s budget proposal has already cost the state $27 million over the past four years, according to the Legislative Fiscal Bureau. The Manufacturing and Agriculture Tax Credit loophole has allowed several hundred state tax filers each year to claim the credit for income taxes paid […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 03/21/2017]
Tax changes hit unemployed homeowners, benefit parents with 1 child Meanwhile, unemployed homeowners, state park enthusiasts, and manufacturers who pay taxes in other states would pay higher taxes and fees. Walker’s budget proposal for the two years starting July 1 cuts taxes and fees by a net total of $414.5 million, according to the Legislative Fiscal Bureau, a figure that includes about $500 million in […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 03/11/2017]
Scott Walker tax cut would save 70 percent of tax filers $44 this year Gov. Scott Walker’s proposal to reduce the lowest income tax rate would save 70 percent of tax filers an average of $44 this year, according to the Legislative Fiscal Bureau. The impact of Walker’s proposal on taxpayers at different income levels presents a stark contrast to the approach favored by Democrats, who have floated their […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 03/09/2017]
Appleton City Council urges Gov. Walker to act to close dark store loophole If tax refunds from Appleton to large retailers using what’s known as the “dark store” tax loophole continue, homeowners and small business owners could see their property taxes increase another $140 a year, according to City Assessor DeAnn Brosman. In response to what Brosman calls an “onslaught” of lawsuits by retailers such as CVS or […] [Appleton Post-Crescent, 02/23/2017]
Gov. Walker pro-cheese Gov. Scott Walker has signed into law the first bill to pass the Legislature this session, a measure designed to help Wisconsin’s cheese industry. Walker on Thursday signed the bill making it possible for tax incentives to be extended to help finance construction of a $30 million cheese packaging and distribution plant in the village […] [Associated Press, 02/16/2017]
Gov. Walker budget includes fix to close a loophole in controversial tax credit Gov. Scott Walker’s proposed 2017-19 budget aims to eliminate an unintended overlap in the state’s tax laws that allows some Wisconsin businesses to claim two credits on the same income. The overlap is between the state’s manufacturing and agriculture tax credit and a credit for taxes paid to other states. Eliminating it is expected to […] [Capital Times, 02/15/2017]
Gov. Walker proposed budget won’t close Green Bay public school deficit Despite Gov. Scott Walker’s proposal to boost financial support for schools over the next two years, wary leaders of the Green Bay School District are sticking to their own fundraising devices. Walker’s state budget proposal to pump nearly $650 million into public and private schools will help, but it won’t be enough to close the […] [Green Bay Press-Gazette, 02/14/2017]
Opponent prepare to oppose another attempt of Gov. Walker to cap historic redevelopment tax credit Historic preservationists are preparing for another fight with Gov. Scott Walker over his proposed capping of a popular tax credit program used to restore and maintain historic properties. Walker proposed in his state budget released this week to limit the Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit program to no more than $10 million a year. He called […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 02/11/2017]
Gov. Walker hikes park fees in budget Gov. Scott Walker proposed higher state parks admission and camping fees for the state’s most popular parks Wednesday as part of his first budget after withdrawing tax support and raising fees two years ago. The 2017-19 budget proposal covers an array of items bearing on the state’s controversial management of natural resources and protection of […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 02/09/2017]
Gov. Walker budget reduces taxes and fees, increases spending and number of state employees Gov. Scott Walker on Wednesday called for nearly $600 million in reduced taxes and fees along with significant new spending in areas where he made sizable cuts in the past as part of his $76.1 billion two-year budget proposal. Total spending under the plan would grow by nearly $2 billion, or 4.2 percent over the […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 02/09/2017]
Gov. Walker’s proposed budget features increased spending, $1 billion plus in borrowing Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker laid out a two-year, $76 billion budget proposal that offers a mix of tax cuts, more school funding, and the lowest bonding authorization in years. [Bond Buyer, 02/09/2017]
No Help for Wisconsin Student Loan Borrowers, Again, in Gov. Scott Walker’s 2017 State Budget Plan Scott Walker’s budget has a huge deficit of common sense, again failing to include student loan reforms like allowing borrowers to refinance. [One Wisconsin Now, 02/08/2017]
Gov. Scott Walker Uses Budget Address to Kick Off 2018 Campaign Two-Year Tax and Spending Plan Introduced by Governor More About Trying to Get Himself Re-elected Than Fixing Damage Done During His Time in Office. [One Wisconsin Now, 02/08/2017]
Walker: Increase tax credit for working poor Gov. Scott Walker wants to increase a tax credit for Wisconsin’s working poor that he cut in 2011, which could help 130,000 families. “Families are the foundation of our society,” Walker said Wednesday in announcing the proposal. He called it a “vital component to move children out of poverty” and to ensure that work is […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 02/02/2017]
Gov. Walker to propose increase in tax credit he had previously cut Gov. Scott Walker is reversing course on a key tax credit for the working poor, proposing to raise incomes for more than 130,000 state families by returning the more than $20 million a year he cut from the program in 2011. The Republican governor will unveil the proposal at the Wauwatosa Rotary Club Wednesday as […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 02/01/2017]
Robin Vos: Increasing gas taxes unlikely Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Robin Vos conceded Wednesday that gas taxes “probably” aren’t going to be increased to pay for road improvements, given Gov. Scott Walker’s opposition to that approach… The biggest budget fight this year is expected to be over transportation funding. The state faces a nearly $1 billion shortfall, and Walker is proposing fixing […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 01/19/2017]
Republicans in Wisconsin Butting Heads Over Gas Tax A Republican lawmaker in Wisconsin is proposing the state raise its gasoline tax or levy tolls on state highways to avoid a $940 million transportation revenue gap over the next two years, but fellow-Republican, Gov. Scott Walker, opposes that idea. “We need to bring in new revenue that will help buy down our transportation debt […] [The Bond Buyer, 07/28/2016]
State’s overtime costs soar The overtime paid to state workers rose by 12% last year to a level not seen for at least a decade, a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel analysis has found. The sharp increase in overtime wages suggests that Gov. Scott Walker’s Act 10 repeal of most collective bargaining is no longer holding down those costs the way […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 07/24/2016]
UW System putting off repairs, renovation — but at what cost? (C)ampuses have accumulated a backlog of fixes needed at older buildings.. The UW System collectively has more than 1,900 buildings of all shapes, sizes and ages. Many were built during the post-World War II enrollment surge of the 1950s and 1960s, and are wearing out, according to university officials. Another building boom occurred in the […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 07/02/2016]
Report: State tax credit benefits wealthy Budgets are about choices and Gov. Walker and the Republican Legislature chose to give a $300 million tax break to millionaires and billionaires. [Associated Press, 06/28/2016]
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]
Sweeping manufacturing and ag tax credit reaches full force “Walker’s slashed public education and higher education funds… to pay for these trickle down policies,” said Scot Ross, One Wisconsin Now. [Capital Times, 05/16/2016]
Leaving UW: Reduced funding, politics force fond faculty to say farewell Budget cuts and politics have combined to convince faculty — some who thought they would retire at the campus — to accept offers of the kind they’ve declined in the past and take their expertise and grant funding elsewhere. Years of declining public funding to the university, accelerated under Gov. Scott Walker, are undermining the […] [Capital Times, 05/14/2016]
Walker administration delays $101 million debt payment Gov. Scott Walker’s administration this month put off making $101 million in debt payments, driving up costs for taxpayers by more than $2 million in the long run, according to the Legislature’s nonpartisan budget office. The state was due to pay off the debt in May, but instead restructured it so that payments would be […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 05/10/2016]
Scott Walker blasts professors as UW-Milwaukee faculty vote ‘no confidence’ in leaders UW-Milwaukee became the fourth University of Wisconsin System campus to see professors declare they have no confidence in UW’s leaders Tuesday, in a vote that prompted Gov. Scott Walker to weigh in with sharp criticism of the faculty. The Milwaukee professors joined colleagues at UW campuses in Madison, La Crosse and River Falls by stating […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 05/10/2016]
Changes to tenure, budget and Regents show extent of Scott Walker’s impact on UW Walker declined a request for an interview to discuss his vision for higher education in Wisconsin. Spokeswoman Laurel Patrick said he has sought to “make college more affordable while helping students get career-ready earlier.” “Walker’s top priority for higher education reform has been on helping Wisconsin students and working families to afford a great college […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 03/27/2016]
Pace of mental health reform slows to crawl Walker has signed one law addressing youth mental health, with plans to sign just one more, but he didn’t say there was more legislation he wanted to see on the subject. “That’s always the careful thing in government is just, how many bills do we pass to say we’re dealing with it, isn’t as important […] [Appleton Post-Crescent, 03/22/2016]
Amid rough seas for UW System, wave of challenges hits UWM And then there’s the issue of state funding. Theoretically, every student in the UW System should have about the same amount of taxpayer support behind them. But that’s not the case. And although UWM officials are politically careful in getting across their points, it’s clear that behind closed doors the frustration is building. UWM’s share […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 03/04/2016]
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]
Brown Co. needs to lead wind turbine study To his credit, Gov. Scott Walker included in his two-year budget proposal $250,000 to study this issue. Here was an opportunity to address an issue of importance to all state residents – those who could benefit from the clean power of wind energy and those who claim their lives have changed since the turbines started […] [Green Bay Press-Gazette, 01/31/2016]
Higher ed proposals will help, but much more is needed to hold down college cost Wisconsin is one of the few states reducing aid to higher education, which isn’t a path to prosperity. Wisconsin needs to invest in its colleges to compete in a global economy and secure more good-paying jobs…Even with the governor’s tuition freeze, the cost of higher education is a much heavier load than it used to […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 01/31/2016]
Is state shorting higher education? \| Reports suggest so; Walker office says no Among the 48 states with approved budgets, Wisconsin ranked No. 2 for highest percentage cut (8.1%) behind Arizona (14%). It was the third consecutive year that state funding for higher education on average increased across the country as the economy recovers. In Wisconsin, Gov. Scott Walker and Republican lawmakers cut $250 million in funding to […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 01/31/2016]
UW-Extension considers cutting services to absorb budget hit University of Wisconsin-Extension officials want to absorb Gov. Scott Walker’s budget cuts by reducing the number of agents and researchers helping people with everything from growing crops to family finances…Extension Provost Aaron Brower said this week that the 700-person Cooperative Extension, the branch that assists people with local issues, could shed up to 80 positions. […] [Associated Press, 01/29/2016]
Assembly committee approves Scott Walker’s college affordability bills on party-line vote Opponents of the legislation have argued those tax breaks are less per year than what some people pay toward their loans each month, and that they only help a small fraction of the estimated 815,000 Wisconsinites with student loan debt. Democrats on the committee tried to amend the bill to include a proposal they’ve introduced […] [Capital Times, 01/29/2016]
Anxieties persist that state projects pipeline could be drying up As Gov. Scott Walker pledged would happen, plans to build an addition to a prominent UW-Madison dairy building are moving forward despite lawmakers’ recent sparring over the state’s level of construction debt. [DailyReporter, 12/10/2015]
Bill would permit closing all tax-subsidized land, more cutting of state forests The bill would further restrict authority of DNR foresters to limit timber cuts that would unnecessarily harm wildlife habitat or foul waterways with erosion. The 2015-17 budget signed by Gov. Scott Walker in June included a provision requested by the logging industry to grant automatic state approval of cuts if plans were made in conjunction […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 12/09/2015]
The Agenda: Green Bay strip club scrutinized Gov. Scott Walker signed a bill on Nov. 30 rebating millions of dollars in excess Lambeau Field stadium tax revenue to Brown County communities. Green Bay’s finance committee will resume a discussion Monday on how to use its $5.4 million share of that money. [Green Bay Press-Gazette, 12/07/2015]
In Milwaukee, evidence is weak for the ‘Ferguson effect Instead, Flynn pointed to two more likely culprits: State budget cuts that reduced mental health services and other social programs, and a 2011 law that dramatically weakened the power of police to arrest people with guns. Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) is responsible for both developments. Flynn said the new gun law, which Walker said […] [Washington Post, 12/05/2015]
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]
Lawmakers OK additional highway borrowing Lawmakers gave Walker’s administration the ability to ask for an extra $350 million in borrowing — $200 million this fiscal year and $150 million for the fiscal year that begins July 1. The Joint Finance Committee can release or withhold those funds. Walker’s Department of Transportation last month asked for $200 million in bonding to […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 11/04/2015]
Highway funds: Too much or too little? While Gov. Scott Walker wanted to bond $1.3 billion to keep transportation projects on track, Republicans balked at that level of borrowing and reduced the amount to around $850 million, with the caveat that $350 million would be held in reserves by the Joint Finance Committee. While DOT Secretary Mark Gottleib has made the request […] [Sheboygan Press, 10/31/2015]
Scott Walker asks Senate Republicans for more road borrowing Gov. Scott Walker on Tuesday urged Senate Republicans to approve additional borrowing to help put back on track at least some of the five major highway projects that are facing delays. Walker’s administration announced last week it was delaying the five projects and disclosed Monday it would be pushing back work on other, smaller ones. […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 10/06/2015]
Report: Property taxes, rates drop in southeastern Wisconsin Republicans have repeatedly cut general fund support to K-12 schools and the UW System to pay for tax breaks disproportionately benefiting the wealthy and corporations. [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 09/03/2015]
Tax and spin: Most families in Wisconsin, it turns out, would save on taxes by moving to Minnesota As a result, Wisconsin’s high property tax essentially wipes out any savings most taxpayers would see due to the lower income, sales and excise taxes compared to Minnesota. In fact, the only group that faces a higher tax burden in Minnesota than in Wisconsin are families with household incomes over $200,000. [MinnPost, 08/17/2015]
One Wisconsin Now Statements on Walker Signing Special Interest Budget One Wisconsin Now Executive Director Scot Ross released the following statements about Gov. Scott Walker signing the biennial state budget during an unexpected day spent in Wisconsin. [One Wisconsin Now, 07/12/2015]
Big budget: Scott Walker is up against a deadline on his latest spending plan He’s trying to “get out of here” and run for president. [La Crosse Tribune, 06/17/2015]
Guest view: Scott Walker’s Wisconsin is no model to follow People who read Gov. Scott Walker’s recent column deserve to know the truth about his record on the economy. Tax cuts for corporation do not create jobs. Education creates jobs, which creates customers for small businesses. [Holmen Courier-Life, 06/11/2015]
Walker Campaigned on Starting State Budget ‘at Zero’ In his 2010 run, Walker laid out the following “Government Spending and Reform” Issues.“Start the state budget at zero. Just because a government program has a vocal constituency and a high priced lobbyist, doesn’t mean it should continue, let alone receive automatic funding increases. Every dollar spent should be scrutinized and justified, not simply given […] [Project Vote Smart, 06/05/2015]
Walker Weakened Department of Revenue’s ability to go after tax cheats Additionally, the governor slowed the progress made in 2010 by the Department of Revenue in collecting delinquent taxes. In 2010, the Department collected $193 million in delinquent taxes, a $40 million increase over the previous year. But now the Governor would scale back on tax-collection activities, reducing the Department’s goal by $20 million a year. […] [Department of Administration, 06/05/2015]
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]
Walker says tax increase he supports for Bucks deal is not a tax increase The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, citing unnamed sources, reported Thursday that the most recent proposal would include $250 million from taxpayers, with another $150 million coming from Bucks owners and $100 million from former U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl, a previous Bucks owner. The likely Republican candidate was asked about the report Thursday and indicated support for […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 05/30/2015]
Walker calls off his planned merger of WEDC with WHEDA after “damning audit” of WEDC Gov. Scott Walker has cancelled a planned merger of two economic development agencies after a new audit said Walker’s job-creating entity failed to follow statutes or its own policies when making financial awards…Within hours of the audit release, Walker issued a statement calling for that merger to be removed from the state budget along with […] [Capital Times, 05/08/2015]
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]
Third Time Not a Charm as Nonpartisan Analysis Finds Gov. Walker Breaks Campaign Pledge to Keep Policy Out of State Budget, Again Gov. Scott Walker has produced a third straight state budget larded with policy which has no fiscal impact, despite as a candidate vowing to halt the practice. [One Wisconsin Now, 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]
Bond costs for Walker’s Bucks arena plan could be as high as $488 million A new analysis released Tuesday by the Legislative Fiscal Bureau says the fiscal effect on the state of Gov. Scott Walker’s $220 million bonding proposal for a new downtown arena could range from nearly $323 million to as high as $488 million. The new numbers examining different scenarios on repaying the interest and principal are […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 03/24/2015]
Walker’s 2015 executive budget proposed cutting $127 million from public schools Wisconsin school districts are scrambling to revise their budget estimates after Gov. Scott Walker’s biennial state budget proposed effectively cutting $127 million in education aid next year. Milwaukee Public Schools is facing a loss of at least $12 million next year as a result of that move, but plenty of well-to-do suburban districts — in […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 03/16/2015]
Walker’s factory & farm owner tax cuts cost $275 million more — twice original projections A measure tucked into Gov. Walker’s 2011 budget that effectively eliminated state income taxes on owners of factories and farms in Wisconsin is costing way more than predicted and contributing mightily to the current budget shortfalls. The Manufacturing and Agriculture Tax Credit was hailed at the time as a job-creating effort that would let businesses […] [Capital Times, 03/06/2015]
Walker wants to end funding for renewable energy program. “In an about-face from his first term, Gov. Scott Walker wants to eliminate funding for a University of Wisconsin-Madison renewable energy research center that has played a key role in helping land one of its biggest government grants ever. In his budget, Walker is proposing to eliminate $8.1 million over two years — a total […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 02/28/2015]
Arena plan prompts different reactions from area groups Scot Ross, executive director of One Wisconsin Now, a liberal group, said his organization had "serious questions about the priorities of Gov. Walker." [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 02/20/2015]
Counties, assessors oppose Walker’s proposed shift to county assessing Gov. Scott Walker’s proposal to shift property assessment duties from municipalities to counties is meeting resistance among assessors and county leaders. The Wisconsin Association of Assessing Officers voted this week to oppose the provision in its current form and the Wisconsin Counties Association issued a list of concerns about the plan. Both groups cited the […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 02/18/2015]
Walker budget skips debt payments to make up for Walker’s tax cuts Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, facing a $283 million deficit that needs to be closed by the end of June, will skip more than $100 million in debt payments to balance the books thrown into disarray by his tax cuts. The move comes as Walker, 47, mounts a 2016 bid for the Republican presidential nomination, and […] [Bloomberg, 02/18/2015]
Scott Walker budget would remove oversight of for-profit colleges "The for-profit college industry has engaged in the kinds of tactics and activities that should earn them more, not less, scrutiny," said Analiese Eicher, program director for the liberal group One Wisconsin Now. [Capital Times, 02/16/2015]
Walker calls for elimination of for-profit college watchdog agency A proposal in Gov. Scott Walker’s two-year budget would likely make Wisconsin the only state without oversight of for-profit colleges, at a time when many others are ramping up their level of supervision over colleges that face heavy scrutiny throughout the nation. “I don’t know of any other state that would not have some kind […] [Capital Times, 02/16/2015]
Walker earmarked budget funds for a wind power study that is “literally a gift to the coal industry.” “Critics of Gov. Scott Walker would say there are numerous lumps of coal buried in the $68 billion budget he unveiled a week ago. And Kate Sheppard of the Huffington Post found one that is literally a gift to the coal industry. It consists of $250,000 toward a study “on wind energy system-related health issues.” […] [Capital Times, 02/13/2015]
Walker’s 2015 budget calls for more recycling cuts Gov. Scott Walker is proposing cuts in his budget for recycling, a move that represents more than a 50% reduction in funding to communities over a five-year period. In the two-year budget he unveiled on Feb. 3, Walker proposed $15 million in state spending for local recycling programs. That’s a drop from $32.1 million in […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 02/11/2015]
Walker budget steeply cuts DNR’s science bureau The employees include scientists and others with master’s and doctoral degrees who perform research for the DNR on environmental regulation and wildlife management policy. Walker’s budget would cut 18.4 positions in the Bureau of Scientific Services. The bureau has a total of 59.4 budgeted positions, although 9.4 are currently vacant. That would a 31% cut […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 02/06/2015]
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]
Gov. Walker Sticks Middle Class, Schools and Students With Tab for His Fiscal Mismanagement Walker’s higher education budget is a recipe for more even more student loan debt for a nation that already has 40 million Americans who worked hard for their education or job training. [One Wisconsin Now, 02/03/2015]
Scot Ross: Scott Walker’s budget would explode student loan debt Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker’s recently unveiled higher education budget plans would only exacerbate the burgeoning student loan debt crisis. [Capital Times, 02/02/2015]
Take it to the Bank: Gov. Walker’s Budget Plan Will Explode Student Loan Debt In Wisconsin Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker’s recently-unveiled higher education budget plans will only exacerbate the burgeoning student loan debt crisis. [One Wisconsin Now, 01/30/2015]
Walker relies on $1.3 billion in borrowing to fund state transportation projects Gov. Scott Walker isn’t backing an increase in the gas tax and instead wants to rely on $1.3 billion in borrowing to fund transportation projects over the next two years. Under the Republican governor’s plan, bonding for transportation would rise by about 30%, but the state’s overall borrowing would drop. That’s because Walker is recommending […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 01/30/2015]
Walker proposed $300 million cut to UW system in his 2015 budget. `State lawmakers responded mostly along party lines to Gov. Scott Walker’s proposal to cut funding to the University of Wisconsin System by 13 percent over the next two years. The Associated Press reported Tuesday that Walker will propose turning the 13 four-year campuses and 13 two-year colleges of the UW System into a public authority, […] [Capital Times, 01/28/2015]
Scott Walker proposed $220 million in state bonds to fund Bucks arena Perhaps with 2016 in mind, Gov. Scott Walker is pitching his Milwaukee arena proposal not as state assistance to a private company, but as a model of fiscal conservatism. Walker on Tuesday unveiled his proposal for investment in a new downtown arena for the Milwaukee Bucks. It’s a largely local issue. But it’s conceivable a […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 01/27/2015]
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]
Gov. Walker’s Math Problem Much Bigger Than Spelling Woes We agree with Scott Walker and his sycophantic friends in the right-wing media that we can now move past his embarrassing ‘molotov’ gaffe. But an analysis of Gov. Walker’s abysmal math is much more explosive. [One Wisconsin Now, 12/11/2014]
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]
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]
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]
Walker’s ‘Work Problem’ is His Problem Gov. Scott Walker got everything he wanted from the Republican-controlled legislature for nearly four years and we are dead last in jobs in the Midwest. [One Wisconsin Now, 10/13/2014]
Over 800,000 Reasons to Address Student Loan Debt in Gubernatorial Debate Students and borrowers have done the right thing. Mary Burke is listening to them and Gov. Walker is listening to the Wall Street bankers financing his campaign. [One Wisconsin Now, 10/10/2014]
Mary Burke Calls Student Loan Reform to Aid Borrowers Her Top Priority As Governor Democratic candidate for governor Mary Burke told the Associated Press her “first priority” as governor would be passing the Higher Ed, Lower Debt bill to lower student debt. [One Wisconsin Now, 10/06/2014]
Walker: Where Have We Heard That Before? In his first term in office Gov. Scott Walker signed at least nineteen bills or budget provisions into law that were drawn from corporate bill factory ALEC. [One Wisconsin Now, 09/22/2014]
Gov. Walker Earns Failing Grades in Student Loan Debt 101 on College Tour A recent college campus tour undertaken by the increasingly desperate campaign of Gov. Scott Walker earns failing grades for failing to take on the $1.2 trillion student loan debt crisis. [One Wisconsin Now, 09/10/2014]
Walker discusses UW affordability at UW-Eau Claire visit One Wisconsin Now is blasting Walker because he hiked tuition, flat-lined financial aid, and let legislation that would have helped current student borrowers refinance their loans die. [WEAU-TV, 09/10/2014]
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]
The Latest ‘Wisconsin Comeback’ Under Gov. Walker: Budget Deficits MADISON, Wis. — In a recent TV ad the increasingly desperate campaign of Gov. Walker claims to have eliminated budget deficits. But the release of new tax collection figures could put the current budget crafted by Gov. Walker and the GOP-controlled legislature hundreds of millions of dollars out of balance and balloon a projected shortfall in […] [One Wisconsin Now, 08/28/2014]
GOP-Led Committee Studying Technical College System Ignoring Issues of Affordability, Student Debt A GOP-controlled committee examining changes to the governance and funding sources of the Wisconsin Technical College System appears poised to ignore the critical issue of affordability for students. [One Wisconsin Now, 07/24/2014]
Kleefisch Tech College Tour Ignores Walker Failures on Student Loan Debt Massive cuts, skyrocketing tuition and opposing reforms that would allow borrowers to refinance their loans, just like you can a mortgage or car loan – that’s the Walker-Kleefisch record. [One Wisconsin Now, 07/22/2014]
Walker Cut UW Tuition and Student Loan Debt One Wisconsin Now Executive Director Scot Ross, who has become a national leader on student loan debt issues, decried Walker’s “stunning lack of leadership.” “Wisconsin’s student loan debtors had a pathway to real tax relief, but Governor Walker is only interested in tax breaks for corporations and the rich,” said Ross. “Drastic cuts to the […] [Capital Times, 06/11/2014]
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]
Walker Used Budget “Surplus” for Tax Cuts Aiming to launch the state’s economy and his own re-election bid, Gov. Scott Walker Wednesday night proposed using a budget surplus to trim taxes by a half-billion dollars…As Democrats point to job numbers that lag the nation and argue against giving Walker a second term, the governor is seeking a special legislative session to cut […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 01/22/2014]
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]
Issue of the Week: Walker and Kleefisch’s War on Workers Recently, Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch led a closed-door roundtable discussion about taxes with some business leaders in Beloit. After viewing footage of the meeting obtained by One Wisconsin Now, we can see why Kleefisch and the Walker administration didn’t want the public to hear what they discussed. [Shepherd Express, 01/09/2014]
Scott Walker: Eliminating income tax, raising sales tax on the table One Wisconsin Now deputy director Mike Browne questioned why Walker would continue with trickle-down economic policies… “You’re increasing a tax burden on those least able to pay,” Browne said of raising sales taxes. “I’m not quite sure what that helps in terms of having a tax code that treats everyone in Wisconsin fairly.” [Wisconsin State Journal, 12/19/2013]
“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]
Gov. Walker Doubles Down on Desperation With Latest Tax Scheme to Try to Boost Sagging Prospects MADISON, Wis. — It may be thirteen months before he stands for re-election as Wisconsin Governor, but Scott Walker and his special interest allies are already in full panic mode. According to legislative records obtained by One Wisconsin Now, Gov. Walker’s administration scrambled to have a property tax scheme drafted as a bill the same […] [One Wisconsin Now, 10/14/2013]
Latest Walker Tax Scheme Fails to Deliver for Wisconsin Homeowners MADISON, Wis. — In an appearance in Wisconsin today, Gov. Walker unveiled a new tax scheme he claimed would help Wisconsin homeowners and called for passing a bill within the next ten days. But according to the non-partisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau, the average Wisconsin homeowner would save a mere $13, or $1.08 per month, in […] [One Wisconsin Now, 10/10/2013]
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]
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]
Under Walker’s New Tax Giveaway, Families Could Receive Up To $4,000 for Children in Kindergarten Through Eighth Grade And $10,000 For Each Student In High School “Walker’s signing of the budget comes in time for the new fiscal year, which begins Monday. The final version of the budget will: Tax cuts. Cut income taxes by $651 million over two years and provide $30 million a year in income tax savings for the parents of the nearly 100,000 private school students in […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 06/30/2013]
Walker’s Budget Included $30 Million In Tax Deductions For Private School Tuition “Democrats have criticized the state budget as anti-middle class because it cuts taxes paid by the wealthy, provides $30 million in tax deductions for private school tuition, and rejects a federal Medicaid expansion that would cover people living on up to 133 percent of the poverty level.” [Wisconsin State Journal, 06/30/2013]
Walker’s 2013-15 Budget Gave Tax Breaks to the Wealthy Signed the budget which gave taxpayers earning $300,000 a year a tax break 10 times larger that the tax break for median income families ($52,374) in Wisconsin. 2013 AB 40, Senate Vote In addition, “state taxpayers earning $50,000 or less a year would get an average break of $45 a year while those earning between […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 06/26/2013]
#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: 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]
Walker’s New Private School Tuition Tax Break Does Not Include Income Limitation “One notable aspect about the new tax break for private school tuition is that any tax filer, no matter how high his or her income, is eligible to claim this deduction. Again, this stands in contrast to the deduction for higher education tuition; married couples earning more than $100,000 are not eligible for that deduction. […] [Wisconsin Budget Project, 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]
GOP Budget Plan: Another Massive Tax Giveaway to the Wealthy MADISON, Wis. — One Wisconsin Now Executive Director Scot Ross released the following statements regarding Rep. Dale Kooyenga’s announcement of a new GOP tax scheme doling out over $400 million in new tax breaks that overwhelmingly benefit the wealthiest in the state: “Another state budget under Gov. Walker and the GOP controlled legislature, another massive […] [One Wisconsin Now, 05/27/2013]
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]
State Government and Political Round-up: Budget measure would make all state juniors take ACT test Scot Ross, who heads the liberal One Wisconsin Now group, says Walker is not doing his job in Wisconsin while the state lags near the bottom in creating new jobs. [Pierce County Herald, 05/20/2013]
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]
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]
As Tax Day Arrives, Will GOP Legislators Fail to Pay Their Fair Share, Again? Will Republicans and their businesses that have paid no state income tax in recent years will be joining the rest of us in paying for services like education, health care, public safety and roads. [One Wisconsin Now, 04/14/2013]
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]
Budget provision to lift ban on foreign ownership of land criticized Gov. Scott Walker’s budget proposes lifting a longtime prohibition on foreign ownership of large tracts of land in Wisconsin — a change that some legislators believe will allow other countries to gain too much control over some of the world’s best farmland. The current law, enacted in 1887 and upheld by the state Supreme Court in […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 02/28/2013]
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]
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]
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]
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]
What’s Gov. Walker WEDC Good For? Promoting His National Political Ambitions The recent announcement that he intends to spend nearly $11 million on a marketing campaign overseen by his scandal-plagued WEDC is more like a publicly funded, national advertising campaign for himself than a Wisconsin job creation strategy. [One Wisconsin Now, 02/14/2013]
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]
One Wisconsin Now Statements on Gov. Walker’s State of the State Address MADISON, Wis. — One Wisconsin Now Executive Director Scot Ross released the following statements on Gov. Walker’s State of the State address: “This is a man running for President in 2016, and for the next two years it’s clear Gov. Walker will be pursuing an agenda that is best for his political future, designed to […] [One Wisconsin Now, 01/14/2013]
One Wisconsin Now Statements on Gov. Walker’s Silence on Campaign Contributor MADISON, Wis. — One Wisconsin Now Executive Director Scot Ross released the following statements on Gov. Walker’s silence on his campaign contributor and fundraiser Hank Greenberg suing the federal government over the taxpayer funded bailout of AIG. Greenberg hosted the notorious fundraiser for Walker in his Park Avenue apartment in New York the day nearly […] [One Wisconsin Now, 01/10/2013]
One Wisconsin Now Statements on Latest Data Exposing Failure of Gov. Walker to Create Jobs “It was Gov. Walker himself who caused the unprecedented political discord of the last two years. And it is his Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation that has come up short, failing to satisfy Wisconsin’s need to create jobs.” [One Wisconsin Now, 01/07/2013]
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’s 2013-15 Budget Weakened Consumer Protection The 2013-15 budget bill contained measures weakening consumer protection in Wisconsin, including: retroactively throwing out lawsuits from individuals poisoned by lead paint; easing regulations of predatory payday lending operations; allowing cable companies to terminate service immediately after a missed payment and then charge a significant reconnection fee [2013 Assembly Bill 40, 01/01/2013]
Walker’s 2013-15 Budget Failed to Invest in Higher Education The budget: Flatlined funding in student financial aid, even though tens of thousands of eligible students have been denied aid due to lack of funding Cut the UW System’s budget by $66 million for the biennium while freezing system’s ability to raise revenue from tuition. [2013 Assembly Bill 40, 01/01/2013]
Walker’s 2013-15 Budget Measures Undermine Public Education The 2013-15 budget included measures that: Continue the public education deficit created in the 2011-13 budget; Expand the private school voucher program and increase its funding by $90 million; Create an income tax deduction for private school tuition of up to $10,000, at a cost of $30 million per year; and Eliminate funding for the Farm […] [2013 Assembly Bill 40, 01/01/2013]
Walker’s 2013-15 Budget Played Politics & Middle Class Loses As a result of the budget: Due to the Republican plan to reject Medicaid expansion, taxpayers will pay $206 million more to provide healthcare to 84,700 fewer people Instead of using a balanced approach, this budget takes a surplus built on record cuts to public schools and goes into future deficit in order to give […] [2013 Assembly Bill 40, 01/01/2013]
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]
Walker’s 2013-15 Budget Included Provisions Hurting Workers, Creating More Tax Breaks Walker’s 2013-15 Budget included Provisions that: Made it harder for workers to access unemployment compensation benefits by reducing the number of allowable reasons to quit a job from 18 to 9. Expanded the junk mail sales tax exemption created an income tax break for private school tuition (up to $10,000 per pupil), which is estimated […] [2013 Assembly Bill 40, 01/01/2013]
Walker Budget Provisions Weakened Wisconsin’s Stewardship Program and Land Conservation and Force Sale of Public Lands Walker’s 2013 budget included a measure cutting bonding authority for the state Stewardship Program, which buys land for public recreation and a measure forcing the state to sell public lands without a guarantee of a fair return to taxpayers. [2013 AB 40, 01/01/2013]
Walker Budget Included Expanding Wisconsin’s Estate Recovery Program for Medicaid The 2013-15 budget included provisions greatly expanding Wisconsin’s estate recovery program, allowing the state to recover Medicaid expenses from a deceased recipient’s estate or from the surviving spouse’s estate. The changes go far beyond requirements of federal law, and elder law attorneys warned the changes could lead to some elderly couples getting divorced or could […] [2013 Assembly Bill 40, 01/01/2013]
Walker Signed a Bill That Benefited Wealthy Instead of Providing Tax Relief for the Middle Class Provisions of the measure included: For purposes of the state individual income tax, reduces the rate of taxation on the bottom income tax bracket from 4.4% to 4.0%. Replaces the levy limit applicable to technical college districts with a revenue limit, and appropriates $406 million in 2014-15, and an annual sum based on a calculation […] [2013 SB 1 January 2014 Special Session, 01/01/2013]
Walker’s Budget Did Not Include Income Limitation on Claimants of Tuition Tax Break “Create a deduction from the individual income tax for amounts paid for tuition to a private school, beginning in tax year 2014. Limit the deduction to tuition expenses of up to $4,000 per year per pupil enrolled in kindergarten through grade eight and $10,000 per year per pupil enrolled in grades nine through twelve. Define […] [Legislative Fiscal Bureau, 01/01/2013]
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]
Commission recommends increase in state college aid Citing swelling numbers of Wisconsin college students who are eligible for state aid, but denied because of limited state funding, the University of Wisconsin System, the state association for independent colleges, the state technical college system and the College of Menominee Nation jointly endorsed a commission finding Tuesday calling for increased college aid in the […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 12/03/2012]
Walker promotes public land accessibility Wisconsin private landowners have registered more than a million acres in an open-managed forest program for recreational public use in exchange for tax subsidies. The report from a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel investigation indicated that in certain areas public use has been denied. Monday, legislators promised legislation to remove the legal loopholes in the hope of preventing […] [Badger Herald, 10/29/2012]
Friedman Failures Drive Walker’s Wisconsin Scott Walker resurrected the late-Milton Friedman’s trickle down economic policies in Wisconsin, and it’s buried job creation for middle class families. [One Wisconsin Now, 07/30/2012]
While Walker Rewards Corporations, Pres. Obama Focuses on Protecting Middle Class MADISON, Wis. — One Wisconsin Now Executive Director Scot Ross released the following statements regarding President Obama’s call for Congress to extend tax breaks for the middle class while allowing those for the wealthiest Americans to expire. “President Obama knows that a strong middle class is the only way to create a strong economy. It’s […] [One Wisconsin Now, 07/08/2012]
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]
In recall, union group says Walker cut school funding to give tax breaks Critics of Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker have condemned his funding cuts to schools and tax breaks for businesses and wealthier individuals… We rated Half True a claim by the liberal One Wisconsin Now group that tax breaks approved for corporations and the rich would cost taxpayers $2.3 billion over a decade. The changes aren’t a cost to taxpayers in […] [PolitiFact, 05/24/2012]
Walker Budget Included Largest Cuts to Shared Revenue in a Decade in 2011-13 Budget The 2011-13 budget cut shared revenue aid to local governments by $76 million, a 9% reduction, the largest in at least a decade. Shared revenue helps to pay for local services like police, fire, and snow plowing. [Politifact, 05/24/2012]
Windfall! Rich will get richer from new tax credit Slipped into Gov. Scott Walker’s 2011-2013 budget at the last moment, the domestic production tax credit will cost the state $360 million in revenue over the next four years and some $130 million each year thereafter, according to the non-partisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau. Critics warn the impact could be even greater, a key point in […] [Capital Times, 05/23/2012]
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]
Billionaire Walker Backer’s Business Pays No Taxes MADISON, Wis. — The business of Gov. Scott Walker’s “co-star” in the controversial “Divide and Conquer” video clip, billionaire widow Diane Hendricks, paid no taxes in 2005, 2006, 2007 or 2008 (the latest year for which records were available) according to a report from the Institute for Wisconsin’s Future. Yet, amazingly, in the video clip […] [One Wisconsin Now, 05/13/2012]
State Targets Tax Credit for Low-Income Filers Last summer, the state Legislature reduced the amount of money low- income families can receive in tax credits by $56.2 million. That put Wisconsin among a handful of states that are effectively raising taxes on their poorest residents in 2012, according to a study by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. At the same time, […] [Capital Times, 04/02/2012]
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]
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]
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]
Wisconsin Outrage: Are Koch Brothers Getting a Tax Break for TV Ad Touting Gov. Walker’s Failed Policies? MADISON, Wis. — A recently launched statewide television ad campaign, touting the failed policies of Republican Gov. Scott Walker that have resulted in six straight months of job losses, could be providing Kansas billionaire brothers David and Charles Koch and others with a tax break. One Wisconsin Now Deputy Director Mike Browne commented, “The Koch […] [One Wisconsin Now, 02/08/2012]
State Faces $143 Million Shortfall as Tax Collections Lag The state’s budget projections have deteriorated by $216 million, opening a new shortfall for Gov. Scott Walker to confront amid the political dogfight of a likely recall election. The estimates by the Legislature’s nonpartisan budget office show that a drop in expected tax collections has opened the hole, which after counting the state’s previous cash […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 02/08/2012]
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]
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]
Recall Signatures Arrive in Madison “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 rest of the country gains jobs. The largest cuts to public education of our students in our state’s history. More than 65,000 people including 29,000 children about […] [Milwaukee Small Business Times, 01/16/2012]
Today in Walker Failure: Wisconsin 2nd Highest in Nation for New Unemployment Claims The failed economic agenda of Gov. Scott Walker continues as grim and disturbing news came today from the U.S. Department of Labor that for the week ending December 31, the state of Wisconsin had the second highest number of new unemployment claims of any state in the nation - 10,203 new claims. [One Wisconsin Now, 01/11/2012]
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]
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]
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 Allowed University of Wisconsin to raise tuition by 5.5% annually; Cut $250 million from System 2011 WI Act 32: On June 26, 2011, Walker signed the budget into law, which allowed the UW System to increase tuition 5.5% annually, over $107 million over the biennium. The tuition increase was allowed in part due to the $250 million in cuts made to the general program operations for the UW System by […] [2011 WI Act 32, 11/09/2011]
Scott Walker’s Raise in Compensation is Undeserved Gov. Scott Walker’s track record of pandering to corporate elites, instead of the wishes of Wisconsinites shows the hypocrisy in accepting a raise. [Brandon Weathersby, 10/30/2011]
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]
One Wisconsin Now’s ‘RecallScottWalker.org’ Plane to Greet Governor at UW-Nebraska Game MADISON, Wis. — Gov. Scott Walker, who gutted funds for public education, the University of Wisconsin and the technical college system by nearly $2 billion, will be greeted by a plane with a special message from One Wisconsin Now as he attends Saturday’s Badgers vs. Nebraska football game. The message: “RecallScottWalker.org _ One WI Now.” […] [One Wisconsin Now, 09/29/2011]
Big biz finally ADMITS use of extreme tax-avoidance techniques From the Institute for Wisconsin’s Future “Who Does Not Pay Taxes”: It took awhile, but SC Johnson (SCJ) eventually fessed up to its tax-avoidance schemes. It started when the last issue of this publication disclosed that SCJ paid no state income tax in 2000-2008. This prompted an SCJ insider to release a secret tax-avoidance report […] [Cody Oliphant, 09/27/2011]
One Wisconsin Now Statements On Latest Walker Failure: 2,300 Jobs Gone One Wisconsin Now Executive Director Scot Ross released the following statements regarding the latest failure from Gov. Scott Walker and the Republican-controlled legislature: a total job loss of 2,300 from July to August and the unemployment rate rising to 7.9 percent. The news comes after Walker signed into law $2.3 billion in new tax breaks […] [Enewspf.com, 09/15/2011]
Wis. unemployment rate increases slightly in July Scot Ross of the liberal muckraking group One Wisconsin Now jumped on the latest report. “Gov. Scott Walker and the Republicans controlling the Legislature promised us new jobs and they have delivered nothing but new corporate tax breaks and attacks on Wisconsin’s way of life,” he said in a statement. “This latest startling news, that […] [CNBC, 08/17/2011]
GE Move Shows Corporate Tax Breaks Are a Failure Despite Gov. Scott Walker’s six-month sell-off of Wisconsin state government to corporate special interests at the cost of nearly $2 billion over the next decade, General Electric’s X-ray business just announced it is moving its Waukesha headquarters to Beijing, China. Walker and the Republican Legislature just handed out nearly $2 billion in new corporate tax […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 08/04/2011]
Nearly $2 Billion in Walker Tax Breaks Won’t Keep GE from Moving to China MADISON, Wis. — Despite Gov. Scott Walker’s six-month sell-off of Wisconsin state government to corporate special interests at the cost of nearly $2 billion over the next decade, General Electric’s X-Ray business just announced it is moving its Waukesha headquarters to Beijing, China. “Between Gov. Scott Walker’s endless corporate tax breaks and General Electric’s endless […] [One Wisconsin Now, 07/28/2011]
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]
Walker gave sales tax exemption for snowmaking and direct mail In the 2011-13 budget, Walker signed into law two sales tax exemptions for snowmaking and promotional direct mail. The sales and use tax exemptions go into effect July 1, 2013 and cover snowmaking and snow-grooming equipment and related fuel, parts and accessories. The direct mail sales tax exemption covers advertising and promotional direct mail. (Wisconsin […] [Legislative Fiscal Bureau, 07/05/2011]
Walker raided $411 million from other funds to fill the budget deficit According to a July 5, 2011 Legislative Fiscal Bureau memo, Walker used the following funds for purposes other than for which the fund was created: [Legislative Fiscal Bureau, 07/05/2011]
Walker gets ‘Pants on Fire’ rating after raising college tuition (major fee increase) Politi-Fact gave the Governor a “Pants on Fire Rating” after he promised he would pass a budget without fee increases yet the Legislative Fiscal Bureau had determined the budget would raise nine fees over two years by $133 million and reduce eight other fees by $22 million; a net increase in fees of $111 million. Some […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 07/01/2011]
Walker cut over $71 million from Tech College System In the 2011-13 budget, Walker slashed over $71.6 million in state aid from the technical college system, a 30% reduction, and capped tech college’s ability to raise additional funds through property tax increases. (Legislative Fiscal Bureau Comparative budget summary, Technical College System, #4; 2011 Assembly Bill 40; Senate Roll Call; Assembly Roll Call) [2011 WI Act 32, 06/26/2011]
Walker approved cuts to Focus on Energy of $340 million over next four years In the 2011-13 budget, Walker repealed current provisions that authorize the Public Service Commission to spend more than 1.2% of their annual operating revenues on energy efficiency and renewable resource programs, if approved by the Joint Committee on Finance. Effective January 1, 2012, the budget prohibits the PSC from requiring any energy utility to spend […] [2011 WI Act 32, 06/26/2011]
Child Labor Law Weakened Under Walker Walker signed into law a provision in the budget which lifted provisions barring 16 and 17-year-olds from working more than 26 hours during a school week and more than 50 hours a week during vacations, potentially exposing young workers to exploitation by employers. The Department of Workforce Development, which enforces child labor regulations, is actually […] [2011 WI Act 32, 06/26/2011]
Walker Created Loopholes for Corporations to Avoid Paying Taxes On June 26, 2011, Walker signed the budget, which allows big corporations to write off business losses before 2009 from their tax liabilities. Only around 400 companies out of more than 40,000 would be able to use this loophole, with a big 2011-13 cost of $46.4 million for taxpayers, and $320million through 2021. One specific […] [2011 WI Act 32, 06/26/2011]
Walker cut $234 million from the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program In the 2011-13 budget, Walker signed into law cuts of $234 million from the state stewardship program, which allows the Department of Natural Resources to acquire land and provide grants to local units of government and non-profit conservation organizations for land acquisition, easements and nature-based outdoor recreational property development activities. (2011 WI Act 32 Comparitive […] [2011 WI Act 32, 06/26/2011]
Walker cut $3 million from tobacco use control grants In the 2011-13 budget, Walker signed into law cuts of $3 million in tobacco use control grants, allocated to a range of organizations for tobacco cessation activities, like the tobacco quitline and youth tobacco cessation. (2011-13 Executive Budget Comparative Summary, Department of Health Services, page 402; 2011 Assembly Bill 40, introduced 3/1/11; Senate Roll Call; […] [2011 WI Act 32, 06/26/2011]
Walker cut $500 million from Medical Assistance Programs On June 26, 2011, Walker signed the budget, which contained his proposal to cut $500 million from Medical Assistance programs. The proposal does not exclude any specific groups from receiving the program cuts, which means seniors and people with disabilities, who account for 20% of total Medicaid enrollment and 67% of total Medicaid spending, will […] [2011 WI Act 32, 06/26/2011]
Walker cut $9.6 million in aid for mass transit Walker signed into law $9.6 million in cuts to mass transit operating expenses for the biennium. The cuts have the biggest impact on the Milwaukee and Madison transit systems ($5,576,500 and $1,465,200 respectively). (2011-13 Executive Budget Comparative Summary, Department of Transportation, page 667; 2011 Assembly Bill 40, introduced 3/1/11; Senate Roll Call; Assembly Roll Call) [2011 WI Act 32, 06/26/2011]
Walker Cut School Funding by $1.6 Billion Walker signed into law the 2011-13 budget, which cut school aids by approximately $800 million and reduced the revenue limit per pupil by 5.5% in fiscal year 2012. The Department of Public Instruction put the total combined cuts at $1.6 billion over the 2011-13 biennium as compared to previous statute. This is the first decrease […] [2011 WI Act 32, 06/26/2011]
Walker Eliminated Foodshare Benefits for Qualified Legal Immigrants Walker prohibited the Department of Health Services from providing FoodShare benefits to “qualified aliens,” except to the extent that federal supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) benefits are required by federal government. This provision eliminated the state-option FoodShare program (SOFSP) that provides FoodShare benefits to certain legal immigrants who don’t meet citizenship standards for federally-funded benefits. […] [2011 WI Act 32, 06/26/2011]
Walker eliminated revenue tax exemption for school nurses In the 2011-13 budget, Walker signed into law the deletion of a revenue tax adjustments available to schools to help cover the costs of having school nurses. (Legislative Fiscal Bureau Comparative budget summary, Public Instruction, #11; 2011 Assembly Bill 40; Senate Roll Call; Assembly Roll Call) [2011 WI Act 32, 06/26/2011]
Under Walker, lost opportunity for “Clean Energy” Jobs Walker eliminated the Green to Gold Fund, administered by the now defunct Department of Commerce. This was a “green jobs” initiative to encourage new manufacturing and technology related to the development of clean energy, so the state could gradually reduce its reliance on foreign oil. This fund offered $100 million in lower cost loans to […] [2011 WI Act 32, 06/26/2011]
Walker raided money from other projects for reconstruction of bridge in Milwaukee In the budget, Walker signed into law a provision that allows the Department of Transportation to take money from other major projects funded through major highway development, state highway rehabilitation, and southeast Wisconsin megaprojects programs for costs associated with the reconstruction of the Hoan Bridge and I-794 in Milwaukee County. (2011-13 Executive Budget Comparative Summary, […] [2011 WI Act 32, 06/26/2011]
Walker Reduced State Recycling Program Walker signed the state budget, which cut $24 million from the municipal and county recycling grant program over the biennium. In Walker’s proposed executive budget, he entirely eliminated funding for the recycling grant program and repealed the requirement for local governments to implement recycling programs. After public backlash, the GOP controlled legislature restored $40 million […] [2011 WI Act 32, 06/26/2011]
Walker slashed general transportation aids to local governments for road maintenance Walker signed into law $27.5 million in cuts to transportation aid to local governments for maintenance of local roads. (2011-13 Executive Budget Comparative Summary, Department of Transportation, page 666; 2011 Assembly Bill 40, introduced 3/1/11; Senate Roll Call; Assembly Roll Call) [2011 WI Act 32, 06/26/2011]
Walker Created Waiting Period for Unemployment Insurance Effective January 1, 2012, there will be a one-week waiting period before an unemployed worker can collect benefits. The inclusion of this change in the State Budget was made unilaterally by Republicans in the Legislature. Despite a veto request by all labor and management representatives on the Unemployment Insurance Advisory Council, Governor Walker signed this […] [2011 WI Act 32, 06/26/2011]
Walker Eliminated the Renewable Energy Grants and Loan Program 2011 WI Act 32: In the budget, Walker eliminated the Renewable Grants and Loans Program which provides incentives for Wisconsin businesses to develop emerging technologies such as manure digesters and biofuels. [2011 WI Act 32, 06/26/2011]
Walker Eliminated the Office of Energy Independence 2011 WI Act 32: In the budget, Walker eliminated the Office of Energy Independence, which as part of the Department of Commerce. The Office provided long term-planning and development of Wisconsin fuel, technologies and business practices to reduce the state’s dependency on foreign energy. [2011 WI Act 32, 06/26/2011]
Walker’s first budget slashed funding for education by nearly $2 billion Headline: Wis. Gov. signs budget cutting education $1.85B. “Democrats assailed the budget as an attack on middle class values since it cuts funding for public schools by $800 million, reduces funding to the UW system by $250 million and cuts tax credits for poor people. It also reduces the amount schools can collect from property […] [CBS News, 06/26/2011]
Major Changes for Focus on Energy program Focus on Energy, a statewide program that promotes energy efficiency, is in the midst of big changes: new management by an out-of-state corporation, suspension of a popular rebate program, and sharp funding cuts in the pending state budget. Nearly 20 people already have lost their jobs, mostly in Madison, as a result of the management […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 06/26/2011]
Walker Raised Taxes on Working Families & Poor Walker’s first state budget included two tax increases on working families: changing the Earned Income Tax Credit program (EITC) and removing the indexing of inflation from the homestead property tax relief program. The change to the EITC totals $56 million over the biennium: “The cuts to the earned income credit would total $56.2 million over two […] [2011 WI Act 32, 06/26/2011]
Walker Reduced Immigrants’ Access to Education Youth who are the children of undocumented immigrants are no longer allowed to pay the resident tuition rate to attend the UW System or a technical college. They had the right to pay resident tuition, if they are graduates of a Wisconsin high school, have lived in the state for at least three years and […] [2011 WI Act 32, 06/26/2011]
One Wisconsin Now Statements on Walker Signing Surrender to Wall Street, Corporations MADISON, Wis. — One Wisconsin Now Executive Director Scot Ross released the following statements regarding Gov. Scott Walker’s planned signing of the 2011-13 Wisconsin state budget on Sunday. Walker’s budget includes tax breaks for corporations and the rich that will cost the state of Wisconsin taxpayers $2.3 billion over the next decade. At the same […] [One Wisconsin Now, 06/23/2011]
Budget and State Health Plans Opponents of Walker’s budget plan also say it’s laughable that Republicans are claiming to be fiscally responsible when they’re guaranteeing the future bankruptcy of the state. Scot Ross, executive director of One Wisconsin Now, a progressive advocacy group, said the cost of the budget’s tax cuts will “skyrocket” in coming years. “In the next 10 […] [The Nation, 06/19/2011]
Walker’s first budget included deep cuts, tuition hikes for UW System In March, UW-Eau Claire expected a $5.1 million cut based on Walker’s budget proposal, but that went up to $6.3 million with the version approved this week by the state Legislature. UW-Stout’s university’s spokesman, Doug Mell, said the $3.85 million cut estimated for UW-Stout based on earlier budgets would go above $4 million under the […] [Eau Claire Leader-Telegram, 06/18/2011]
Madison Protesters March in Front of Business Association The drums and chants started near the protesters’ “Walkerville” tent city outside the Capitol. The crowd of roughly 150 made its way from the Capitol hill toward the Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce building to denounce the business association’s support of Governor Walker’s budget. “We deserve a legislative agenda and they have turned it into a […] [WBAY, 06/12/2011]
Tax Cuts for Corporations and Wealthy with 10-year Cost of $2.33 Billion Instead of using the budget bill for all tax changes as is typically done during a budget session, the Walker signed into law a number of bills prior to the budget bill that all that take effect with the 2011-13 fiscal year. The net effect of those bills is to decrease expected state tax revenue […] [Legislative Fiscal Bureau, 06/09/2011]
State Capitol ‘Run Against Walker’ to Focus on Walker, GOP Attacks on Health Care, Middle Class to Pay for $600 Million Corporate Tax Cuts MADISON, Wis. — Massive attacks against health care, education and middle class priorities launched by Gov. Scott Walker and the Republican legislative majority are the focus of a “Run Against Walker,” scheduled at the State Capitol today. The “Run Against Walker,” a run/walk for citizens organized by One Wisconsin Now as part of the “Walkerville” […] [One Wisconsin Now, 06/06/2011]
Walker’s proposal to break off UW-Madison dead Gov. Scott Walker’s proposal to break off the Madison campus from the rest of the University of Wisconsin System is dead after a lack of support for the split… The two ongoing topics of debate are what freedoms will be granted to the campuses and how will they be implemented, and how will the governor’s […] [Associated Press, 05/27/2011]
As a candidate for governor, Walker had promised not to raise any taxes. Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker”s core theme on the campaign trail in 2010 was a firm stance against any tax increases. Walker and his opponent in the Republican primary, Mark Neumann, emphatically said they would not raise any taxes, ever…And like hundreds of conservative candidates before him, Walker signed the Americans for Tax Reform”s “Taxpayer Protection […] [Politifact, 05/19/2011]
As governor, however, Walker proposed tax increases in his first budget. Walker’s controversial budget-repair bill, unveiled in February 2011, did not propose tax increases. But what about his 2011-“13 budget? It included some tax cuts, but also tax increases. That’s according to the nonpartisan state Legislative Fiscal Bureau, which both parties have long cited as a neutral scorekeeper on budget matters. The bureau determined that Walker […] [Politifact, 05/19/2011]
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]
Walker’s proposed tax change: More money for corporations, less for state “Where’s the shared sacrifice?” asked Scot Ross, executive director of the liberal group One Wisconsin Now, noting Walker’s budget reduces corporate taxes while trimming nearly $50 million in tax credits for seniors and the poor. [Wisconsin State Journal, 04/30/2011]
One Wisconsin Institute Report: ‘We’re Not Broke: The Truth About The Wisconsin Budget, Taxes and Governor Walker’s Phony Fiscal Crisis’ A comprehensive analysis authored by the non-partisan One Wisconsin Institute shows that despite claims from Gov. Scott Walker, Wisconsin is not “broke.” [One Wisconsin Institute, 04/14/2011]
Walker Raided Employee Trust Fund to Balance Budget Walker signed into law a bill that required the secretary of employee trust funds to allocate $28,000,000, from reserve accounts established in the public employee trust fund for group health and pharmacy benefits for state employees, to reduce employer costs for providing group health insurance for state employees for the period beginning on July 1, […] [WI Act 13 , 04/07/2011]
We’re Not Broke With the mantra “we're broke,” Gov. Scott Walker proposed slashing funding to services and public goods of the middle class – all the while cutting taxes by $200 million for the wealthy and corporations. The reality is that there is no fiscal emergency and we're not broke. [One Wisconsin Institute, 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]
Nearly 16,000 Wisconsinites Demand End to Walker Education Cuts MADISON, Wis. — The names of nearly 16,000 Wisconsinites who have signed One Wisconsin Now’s online petition in just over the last week demanding an end to Gov. Scott Walker’s unprecedented attack on public education were deliver today to the Governor and leaders of the state Joint Finance Committee. JFC has a scheduling hearing today […] [One Wisconsin Now, 03/29/2011]
Gov. Walker’s spending plan: reform or Republican? “It is literally every single bad conservative idea of the last 20 years housed in a single budget document,” said Scot Ross, executive director of the liberal group One Wisconsin Now. [Wisconsin State Journal, 03/26/2011]
Wisconsin Democrats face uphill battle in repeal of Governor Scott Walker’s budget repair law “There will need to be electoral changes in order to get the rights back that Republicans took from working people,” said Scot Ross, executive director of One Wisconsin Now, a progressive advocacy group. [Appleton Post-Crescent, 03/18/2011]
Walker Education Scheme: Close Middle Class Toolbox, Reward Corporate Class MADISON, Wis. — Gov. Scott Walker’s unprecedented attack on the public education of children across Wisconsin is part of a dismantling of the middle class tool box to enrich the wealthy and corporate America and Wall Street. Gov. Walker’s budget actions would cut $834 million from public education, skyrocket tuition for students in Wisconsin and […] [One Wisconsin Now, 03/15/2011]
One Wisconsin Now Statements Regarding Fitzgerald Rights’ Denial to 2.2 Million Wisconsinites “Considering how the Republicans plan to slash $900 million from our public schools, cut health care for 1 million Wisconsinites, raise prescription drug costs for countless seniors, raise taxes on the working poor by $51 million while at the same time handing $200 million in tax breaks for the wealthy and corporate special interests, Sen. […] [CommonDreams, 03/14/2011]
Walker’s budget ended early release programs for prisoners On the chopping block in Walker’s two-year budget proposal are early release programs for prisoners, in-state college tuition for the children of illegal immigrants, mandatory insurance coverage of contraceptives, college financial aid for high school grads who are good citizens and public financing for Supreme Court campaigns…Walker wants to repeal an inmate early release program […] [Associated Press, 03/09/2011]
Walker’s budget axed in-state tuition for undocumented students On the chopping block in Walker’s two-year budget proposal are early release programs for prisoners, in-state college tuition for the children of illegal immigrants, mandatory insurance coverage of contraceptives, college financial aid for high school grads who are good citizens and public financing for Supreme Court campaigns…Walker’s budget plan also would ax a Democratic initiative […] [Associated Press, 03/09/2011]
Walker budget trims tax credit for working poor Gov. Scott Walker’s proposed budget would reduce a tax credit program for many of the working poor by $41.3 million over two years – a change that critics say violates his pledge not to raise any taxes…”He is increasing taxes on the working poor,” said Scot Ross, executive director of the liberal group One Wisconsin […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 03/05/2011]
Walker’s first budget made cuts to Medicaid “About 55,000 people could lose their health insurance under the state’s BadgerCare program, under Gov. Scott Walker’s budget plan released Tuesday. Walker’s budget also would shrink aid to Wisconsin Works participants and could mean reduced state child care subsidies to low-income families. In an effort to slow the growth in spending on Medicaid, Walker says […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 03/01/2011]
Wisconsin State Budget and Worker Protests Scot Ross talked about the ongoing legislative battle between the governor of Wisconsin and state Democrats on the budget, and he responded to telephone calls and electronic communications. Part of Governor Scott Walker’s budget includes a proposal that would end almost all collective bargaining rights… [C-SPAN, 02/24/2011]
Budget debate: 2/25 Scot Ross (far right corner), executive director of One Wisconsin Now speaks at a rally outside of the State Capital on day 11 of protests over Gov. Scott Walker’s budget-repair bill. [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 02/24/2011]
Walker’s ‘Savings’ Will Cost Taxpayers Millions for the Next 10 Years MADISON, Wis. — In an attempt to push through his unpopular Budget Repair Bill, Gov. Scott Walker has tried to set a Friday deadline for passage by falsely claiming that lack of action will cost taxpayers money: “If we don’t pass that by this weekend, if we fail to be able to achieve those savings, […] [One Wisconsin Now, 02/24/2011]
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]
Walker’s Fiscal Agenda: Yes to Corporations, No to the Middle Class The Executive Director of One Wisconsin Now, Scot Ross, commented that he was “handing out [millions] in special interest spending to his corporate pals and he’s going to make our children pay for it by taking loans the state was ready to pay off and borrow more money on them.” [Progressive States, 02/23/2011]
US Rep. Ron Kind Urges Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker to Withdraw Union-Busting Plan “Walker keeps talking about how the state is broke, yet he had no problem making $3.8 billion in campaign pledges to the wealthy to reduce the state’s tax collections,” Pocan charged, citing figures estimated by the liberal advocacy group, One Wisconsin Now. “Furthermore, he later promised an additional $1.5 billion pledge to repeal the corporate […] [Faithful Progressive, 02/18/2011]
Is the state budget really in crisis? Depends who you ask “Walker keeps talking about how the state is broke, yet he had no problem making $3.8 billion in campaign pledges to the wealthy to reduce the state’s tax collections,” Pocan charged, citing figures estimated by the liberal advocacy group, One Wisconsin Now. “Furthermore, he later promised an additional $1.5 billion pledge to repeal the corporate […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 02/18/2011]
Walker Flinches on Releasing Budget in Face of Mounting Protests MADISON, Wis. — Faced with growing protests in cities around Wisconsin, Gov. Scott Walker today asked for a second extension from the legislature to delay in providing the specifics of his proposed 2011-13 state budget. Walker now wants to give his speech on Tuesday, but not provide the press and the public with the details […] [One Wisconsin Now, 02/17/2011]
Why Walker Created His “Fiscal Crisis” Up until now, Walker has been successful in spinning his fake budget crisis. However, Walker has been so careless in his pledges, that One Wisconsin Now has captured every single special-interest pledge Governor Gimmick (Walker’s new nickname) has made. You can find a citation for every single dollar of the nearly $5.3 billion in pledges […] [Mark Pocan, 02/17/2011]
Analysis: Despite budget woes, state less in crisis now than two years ago Scot Ross of the left-leaning group One Wisconsin Now went a step further, calling the Walker plan a “handout in special interest spending to his corporate pals.” Ross was referring to $117.2 million in tax breaks approved by the Republican-controlled Legislature in January. Those items making health savings accounts tax deductible, tax deductions for businesses […] [Capital Times, 02/17/2011]
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]
Walker’s Budget Scheme: Undemocratic, Unbalanced, Potentially Unconstitutional Gov. Scott Walker’s scheme to allow the government to take away the rights of Wisconsin workers is part of an unbalanced and potentially unconstitutional proposal that would add at least $30 million to the state’s credit card and allow the Governor’s health agency director to slash health care access and raise costs without the approval of the legislature. [One Wisconsin Now, 02/14/2011]
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]
Joel McNally: Truth-O-Meter crashes during tax cut analysis Shrapnel from the crashing Truth-O-Meter then hit the progressive political organization, One Wisconsin Now. The group added up the cost of three Walker tax giveaways, noting the governor had added $140 million in new special interest spending to the state’s mounting budget deficit. [Capital Times, 02/11/2011]
Biz Beat: Walker budget plan called a ‘nuclear option’ Scot Ross of the progressive Advocacy Group One Wisconsin Now added: “You take away people’s rights and then use the National Guard to back it up. If this was happening in another country, we’d call it a Banana Republic.” [Capital Times, 02/10/2011]
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 likely to propose Medicaid changes in State of the State speech “That Gov. Walker’s new secretary in charge of these programs has both advocated for states ‘dropping out’ from federal Medicaid assistance and has not made a commitment to keeping SeniorCare is enormously troubling,” said Scot Ross, executive director of the liberal group One Wisconsin Now. [Wisconsin State Journal, 01/31/2011]
Walker’s ‘Special Interest Session’ Tab: $140 Million and Counting Despite the state’s $3.3 billion deficit, Republican Gov. Scott Walker and the Republican-controlled state legislature have added over $140 million in new special interest spending to that tab. [One Wisconsin Now, 01/27/2011]
One Wisconsin Now says Scott Walker and the Legislature have increased spending by $140 million But one of Walker’s political antagonists, Madison-based One Wisconsin Now, has slammed the three bills. In a Jan. 28, 2011, news release, the liberal advocacy group said: “Gov. Scott Walker and the Republican-controlled state legislature have added over $140 million in new special interest spending.” So, which is it? Tax cuts or spending? [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 01/27/2011]
Supermajority Could Doom State’s Economy, Group Says “Gov. Scott Walker and the Republicans are willing to do anything to ensure the wealthiest Wisconsinites never have their taxes raised again,” said Scot Ross, One Wisconsin Now Executive Director. “The people of Wisconsin are once again seeing Republicans bend over backwards to address the corporate special interest wish list and ignore the promise to […] [Ashland Current, 01/27/2011]
Will Insurance Customers Change Companies When GOP Bill Doesn’t Cut Their Rates? MADISON, Wis. — Insurance companies across the state could see a mass exodus of existing Wisconsin customers if rates do not drop immediately after passage of an insurance lobby-supported bill to reduce the required insurance coverage for state drivers. The insurance lobby has blamed required insurance levels for raising rates, leaving customers to reasonably expect […] [One Wisconsin Now, 01/20/2011]
Private Health Savings Accounts: Don’t Create Jobs, Hike Deficit MADISON, Wis. — The Republican plan to give a tax break to high deductible private health savings accounts would increase the deficit $48 million in the next two years, create no jobs and would not increase access to health care. The plan is to be debated today at a joint legislative health committee. “Wisconsin deserves […] [One Wisconsin Now, 01/10/2011]
Made 10% across the board cut, over $13 million, to various health programs Walker signed into law a 10% across the board cut to base funding for non-staff costs in most of the Department of Health’s programs. Some of those programs are named below. The full list can be found at the Legislative Fiscal Bureau’s 2011-13 Comparative Budget Summary, Department of Health Services, page 411. [Legislative Fiscal Bureau, 01/01/2011]
Politifact: A look at Scott Walker’s campaign promises Walker promised to veto all tax increases. And he promised a lower tax burden for “all” individuals and job creators. That included a list of specific tax cuts that the liberal advocacy group One Wisconsin Now says adds up to $5 billion in revenue. [PolitiFact, 12/31/2010]
GOP Save-Face Plan for Walker: ‘Kill Rail to Pay 0.001 Percent for Extending Bush Tax Cuts for Millionaires’ What a great solution - destroy high speed rail to pay one-thousandth of one percent of the cost of extending the Bush tax cuts for millionaires. [One Wisconsin Now, 11/16/2010]
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]
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]
Walker’s Latest $1.5 Billion Promise: End Corporate Income Tax MADISON, Wis. — Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker has promised the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce (MMAC) to completely end the state’s corporate income tax – a massive new $1.5 billion tax break which would require even more drastic cuts to education, health care, police and fire protection. Walker answered he would “repeal the corporate […] [One Wisconsin Now, 10/24/2010]
Ron Johnson’s PACUR LLC Pays Zero State Income Taxes, But Makes $5,000 Contribution to Republican Governors Association Ron Johnson's PACUR LLC made a $5,000 contribution to the Republican Governors Association, despite the fact it has paid no state income taxes from 1997 to 2008. [One Wisconsin Now, 10/17/2010]
Will Walker Answer Three Simple Questions at Tonight’s Debate? “Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker, has yet to state publicly what cuts he would make, though his campaign says he will in the coming weeks.” [Appleton Post-Crescent, 6/13/10] MADISON, Wis. — Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker owes Wisconsin the answers to three questions he has ducked and avoided for months and One Wisconsin Now is […] [One Wisconsin Now, 10/14/2010]
One Wisconsin Now Statements on Walker-Kleefisch Attack on Health Care Access MADISON, Wis. — One Wisconsin Now Executive Director Scot Ross released the following statements regarding Rebecca Kleefisch and Scott Walker’s unseemly television ad criticizing access to affordable health care. In the ad railing against health care reform, Kleefisch talks about her successful cancer treatment, which was diagnosed, treated and financed through the access she has […] [One Wisconsin Now, 10/12/2010]
Walker’s Latest Corporate Tax Break: Massive Loophole or Empty Promise MADISON, Wis. — Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker, as part of his three-page agenda, has called for making “Wisconsin a highly attractive place to start a business by eliminating corporate taxes for the first two years of operation.” Analysis by One Wisconsin Now shows the plan would either be a budget-busting corporate loophole or would […] [One Wisconsin Now, 10/06/2010]
Milwaukee County Debunks Walker’s False Debt Reduction Claim Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker has claimed repeatedly for the past year that he has reduced Milwaukee County’s debt by between 10 and 30 percent, but one of his own top administration officials admitted Sunday the “county debt has risen 85 percent under Walker.” [One Wisconsin Now, 10/03/2010]
Walker’s Promises More Than Double State Deficit MADISON, Wis. — Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker has promised an impossible $3.8 billion in tax breaks, loopholes and shifts he has no way to pay for, a new analysis by One Wisconsin Now shows. Coupled with the state’s conservative predictions of a $2.7 billion projected deficit, Walker would need to slash almost $6.5 billion […] [One Wisconsin Now, 09/30/2010]
Questions for Walker to Answer at Tonight’s Debate One Wisconsin Now offered the following questions for County Executive Walker to answer about his tax cut plan for the rich and big business. [One Wisconsin Now, 09/23/2010]
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]
Walker tries to hide support for BadgerCare time limits For a year, Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker has repeatedly and specifically called for time limits for the state’s BadgerCare health care program to provide coverage to working families. [One Wisconsin Now, 08/26/2010]
Questions for Walker to Answer at Tonight’s Debate MADISON, Wis. — In advance of tonight’s statewide television debate, One Wisconsin Now offered the following questions for Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker to answer about his tax cuts plan for the rich and big business and his failed management of Milwaukee County. “People across Wisconsin have a right to know how Scott Walker would […] [One Wisconsin Now, 08/24/2010]
Walker Claims His 84 Percent Hike in State Budget Tab ‘Controlled Spending’ MADISON, Wis. — Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker, under fire for hypocritically opposing the high speed rail line after voting in the state legislature for tens of millions of dollars in rail bonding and a no-bid process for rail, claimed in a news story published today his budget votes “controlled spending.” Walker voted for all […] [One Wisconsin Now, 08/23/2010]
When Will Walker Take Responsibility for Mental Health Center Mismanagement? MADISON, Wis. — A public interest advocacy group is calling on Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker Monday to take responsibility for his “tragic mismanagement of the county’s Mental Health Complex,” saying Walker has chosen to defend himself by hiring an outside law firm and a public relations specialist, both at taxpayer expense, instead of fixing […] [One Wisconsin Now, 08/22/2010]
Walker 2008 Budget: 1.4 Percent to Overtime; State 2008 Budget: 0.2 Percent to Overtime MADISON, Wis. — Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker is calling for a commission to study state overtime spending, citing the overtime costs for the state of Wisconsin in 2008. Records show Walker spent a substantially higher percentage of Milwaukee County tax dollars on overtime than did the state of Wisconsin in the year he cited, […] [One Wisconsin Now, 08/08/2010]
Walker’s Record of Failure, Mismanagement Warehoused at ScottWalkerFailureFiles.com Scott Walker’s long record of failed leadership, mismanagement and skewed priorities are featured on a new interactive and multi-media website. [One Wisconsin Now, 08/06/2010]
Walker Vetoed Public Works County Building Inspection Engineer Position in 2008 MADISON, Wis. — Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker, as part of his 2008 budget, vetoed an engineering position for the Milwaukee County Department of Public Works to handle county building oversight and inventory, claiming the move would result in a “tax levy savings of $150,000.” In light of the tragedy at the county’s O’Donnell Park […] [One Wisconsin Now, 07/26/2010]
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]
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]
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]
Walker Unpaid Tab Grows to More Than $5 Billion MADISON, Wis. — Milwaukee County Executive County Scott Walker has added more than $1 billion to the price tag of his tax cuts, tax loopholes and tax shifts, which combined with the state’s $2-billion-plus deficit, would require more than $5 billion in drastic cuts to education, health care and police and fire protection – threatening […] [One Wisconsin Now, 06/30/2010]
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]
One Wisconsin Now Will Ask DPW Convention Goers to Sign ‘Responsible Budget’ Petition MADISON, Wis. — Attendees at this weekend’s Democratic Party of Wisconsin convention will be given the chance to sign a One Wisconsin Now petition, in which participants can offer their support either for responsible budgeting that focuses on the state’s critical priorities, or give their support to exploding the deficit with unpaid tax cuts that […] [One Wisconsin Now, 06/09/2010]
Video Urges Walker, Neumann to ‘Break the Silence’ on How They Will Pay for Billion Dollar Tax Cut for Rich, Big Business Scott Walker and Mark Neumann have refused to detail how they will pay for three tax cuts for the rich and big business. [One Wisconsin Now, 06/07/2010]
New Ad Shows How Milwaukee County Taxpayers Left Holding Bag for Walker’s Mismanagement MADISON, Wis. — Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker’s failed leadership and the disastrous outcome is the subject of an online video produced by One Wisconsin Now as part of its “Scott Walker Failure Files” timeline and information warehouse. The ad is available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFmYpUbsGE0. “Scott Walker’s skewed priorities and incompetent leadership have been a disaster […] [One Wisconsin Now, 05/31/2010]
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]
Wisconsin GOP Votes for Walker’s Bush-Style Tax Cuts on Anniversary of Passage of Bush Tax Cuts Walker’s unpaid tax plan is even less credible given the state’s $2-billion deficit for 2011-13, according to the non-partisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau. [One Wisconsin Now, 05/21/2010]
One Wisconsin Now Will Ask RPW Convention Goers to Sign ‘Responsible Budget’ Petition Attendees at Friday’s first night of the Republican Party of Convention will be given the chance to sign a One Wisconsin Now petition. [One Wisconsin Now, 05/19/2010]
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]
Scott Walker Flip Flops on Immigration; Remains Firm in Refusal to Explain How to Pay for $2 Billion Tax Giveaway to Rich, Big Business Scott Walker's pandering flip flop on the racist Arizona immigration law has One Wisconsin Now asking whether a similar strategy could get him to answer the question he has refused to answer. [One Wisconsin Now, 05/16/2010]
One Wisconsin Now Launches ‘Scott Walker Failure Files’ Timeline MADISON, Wis. — Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker’s eight years of failed leadership are highlighted in an interactive timeline documenting his misdeeds, mismanagement and incompetence created by One Wisconsin Now and available at www.ScottWalkerFailureFiles.com. “The people of Milwaukee County have endured unprecedented harm due to the failed leadership of Scott Walker,” said Scot Ross, One […] [One Wisconsin Now, 05/12/2010]
WMC Partner Begins Statewide Ad Campaign for Walker MADISON, Wis. — A special interest group that calls itself a partner of Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce (WMC) will begin spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on television starting Friday to promote Scott Walker in the Republican primary for governor. The statewide ad buy, estimated at over $200,000 over two weeks, is being paid by […] [One Wisconsin Now, 05/12/2010]
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]
Walker Ignores Elephant in the Room on Harley-Davidson “In response to Harley’s news, Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker, a Republican candidate for governor, claimed that the state’s move to combined reporting for corporate taxation had hurt the company. But Harley officials have said in the past that combined reporting…had nothing to do with its cutbacks. [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 5/3/10] MADISON, Wis. — Milwaukee […] [One Wisconsin Now, 05/06/2010]
Walker to Pay for Part of $2 Billion Tax Cut Plan for Rich, Big Business By Cutting Seniors, Family from Health Care Coverage [Walker] said he was studying whether the state should change eligibility standards for the state’s Medicaid program, which provides health care for the poor, elderly and disabled. [One Wisconsin Now, 04/12/2010]
Walker’s Record of Massive Spending Hikes Is in the Bag MADISON, Wis. — Contrary to calls for fiscal restraint in his latest television advertisement, Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker voted to increase state spending 84 percent as a member of the state Assembly and has proposed 35 percent in increases to county spending since 2002. Walker voted for $200 billion in total state budget spending, […] [One Wisconsin Now, 03/21/2010]
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]
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 Claim Check: ‘250,000 New Jobs’ Would End Wisconsin Unemployment, Cut Rate to 0.03 Percent MADISON, Wis. — Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker is claiming he will create “250,000 jobs” in Wisconsin, which if done would essentially reduce the unemployment rate to zero. The lowest recorded unemployment rate in recent Wisconsin history is 2.4 percent in 1999. “This is just another ridiculous claim by Scott Walker that cannot be backed […] [One Wisconsin Now, 02/23/2010]
Will $2 Billion Buy Walker a Standing Ovation from WMC? MADISON, Wis. — At Tuesday’s Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce lobbying luncheon Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker will likely find support from the corporate lobby for his $2-billion, budget-busting, deficit-doubling plan for tax breaks that mostly benefit corporations and the wealthiest Wisconsinites. What is less likely, is that Walker will explain which drastic cuts he would […] [One Wisconsin Now, 02/22/2010]
One Wisconsin Now Statements on the Success, Anniversary of the Recovery Act MADISON, Wis. — One Wisconsin Now released the following statements from Executive Director Scot Ross on the one-year anniversary of the successful America Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). ARRA has provided $2.76 billion to Wisconsin for job creation, schools, transportation, health care, energy and public safety among other critical needs. Over 44,000 Wisconsin jobs have […] [One Wisconsin Now, 02/16/2010]
WISTAX Watch Alert: Coincidence WISTAX Report Targets Cities, Not Counties? One Wisconsin Now’s WISTAX Watch is asking the conservative Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance to explain why its latest report focusing on fee increases in cities and villages ignores county governments. [One Wisconsin Now, 02/14/2010]
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’s Plan for State’s $2 Billion Deficit: ‘Let’s Make It $4 Billion’ MADISON, Wis. — Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker wants to double Wisconsin’s projected $2-billion state budget deficit with a series of tax breaks that mostly benefit corporations and high-income people. The Legislative Fiscal Bureau reported Wisconsin faces a $2 billion deficit in 2011-13, making Walker’s budget-busting tax breaks for the rich a doubling of the […] [One Wisconsin Now, 01/25/2010]
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]
Walker Spending Increase Eclipsed Doyle, Barrett MADISON, Wis. — As Milwaukee County Executive, Scott Walker proposed budgets to increase spending 35 percent, far ahead of the more modest spending plans of Gov. Jim Doyle and Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, according to an analysis by One Wisconsin Now. “Walker poses for holy pictures when discussing taxes and spending issues, but the devil’s […] [One Wisconsin Now, 01/10/2010]
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 Pushed Pension Reductions That Excluded Elected Officials From the Cuts “Nonunion Milwaukee County workers will get reduced pensions, higher health insurance costs and no seniority raises in 2010, under action approved Thursday by the County Board. …County Executive Scott Walker favors the measure. Supervisors, Walker and other elected officials were excluded from the pension trims…The employee benefits concessions apply to just 717 unrepresented employees, but […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 12/18/2009]
Walker vetoed $200,000 in Funding for Underserved Youth Sports Authority “Holloway said the veto cutting funding for the youth sports authority is a mistake. ‘This will affect the lives of hundreds, if not thousands, of kids in our community,’ he said. ‘This program keeps our children out of trouble for just $200,000 a year. This program pays for itself because it costs the county nearly […] [Milwaukee Business News, 11/27/2009]
Walker Campaign Website Touted Cutting County Work Force by Over 20% “Over the last eight years, we’ve worked together to maintain funding for essential government programs without increasing the property tax levy from the previous year, cut debt by over 10%, and cut the county work force by over 20%.” [Scott Walker, 11/20/2009]
Lack of Infrastructure Investment is a Consistent Complaint Against Walker “Milwaukee Supervisor John Weishan also charges that Walker has drained funds that should have gone to maintaining the county’s infrastructure to instead maintain his pledge never to raise property taxes. ‘He’s looted our capital account,’ says Weishan. ‘There’s no money for roads or sewers.’ The lack of infrastructure investment is a consistent complaint against Walker, […] [Isthmus, 11/20/2009]
Walker Enacted Wage Freezes, Pay Cuts, Furloughs, Pension & Health Benefit Cutbacks for County Employees “Recently, after the county workers’ union accepted a two-year wage freeze in exchange for no layoffs, Walker outlined a budget calling for 3% pay cuts, furloughs, pension and health-benefit cutbacks, and replacing 222 county housekeeping, security, social worker and computer technician workers with lower-paid private workers.” [Isthmus, 11/20/2009]
Walker’s Legislative Budget Record: Five Budgets, 84% Spending Hike Scott Walker voted for five straight state budgets, which increased state budget spending from $26.6 billion to nearly $49 billion, an increase of $22 billion - or 84 percent. [One Wisconsin Now, 11/16/2009]
Advocates Warn Walker County Plan Ending Mental Health Day Treatment Likely Leads to Relapses and Greater Hospitalizations “After nearly 15 years helping patients discharged from Milwaukee County’s Mental Health Complex cope with life in the community, occupational therapist Kari Held faces an uncertain future and coping issues of her own. Like hundreds of other county employees, Held has a job that has been targeted for elimination next year by County Executive Scott […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 11/08/2009]
Why Would Walker Want to End Children’s BadgerCare Safety Net? MADISON, Wis. — Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker’s recent call for limits on critical BadgerCare health benefits for low-income or displaced workers and repeated criticism of state spending raises concerns he may favor cuts to BadgerCare programs that cover children and expectant mothers. “Scott Walker’s message is that the nationally-recognized BadgerCare health care program for […] [One Wisconsin Now, 11/01/2009]
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 Proposed Substantial Cuts to Bus Routes for Disabled Riders “A cut in state funding could lead to large areas of Milwaukee County becoming inaccessible to disabled transit riders, under a provision in County Executive Scott Walker’s 2010 budget…Slicing Transit Plus to the minimum level would eliminate service to nearly all of Franklin, Hales Corners and Oak Creek, as well as to parts of Bayside, […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 10/19/2009]
Funds That Could Have Gone to Fraud Prevention Went Unused in Milwaukee County Under Walker “Milwaukee County under spent its budget for running the Wisconsin Shares child-care program by more than $4.3 million since 2004 — money that could have gone toward greater fraud prevention, state officials said. The county was authorized to spend $8 million or more annually to run the program, under contracts with the state that included […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 10/01/2009]
County Employees Expected to ‘Bear a Heavy Burden of Budget Balancing Pain’ under Walker Plan “Milwaukee County employees would bear a heavy burden of budget-balancing pain in County Executive Scott Walker’s proposed 2010 budget, with nearly $41 million in pay and benefits cuts and the elimination of nearly 400 jobs. The proposal includes a 3% across-the-board wage cut for all county workers, a new employee pension contribution of 5% of […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 09/24/2009]
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]
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’s Proposed Cuts for Social Service Programs Called ‘Very Insulting’ “Cuts proposed for social programs in 2010 stunned and angered Milwaukee County supervisors Wednesday, who said the county’s poorest and most vulnerable residents would bear the brunt. The county’s Health and Human Services budget request would eliminate $1 million for homeless shelters, $2.4 million for elderly and disabled programs, $721,000 from programs for delinquents and […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 07/16/2009]
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 Said Shared Revenue Cuts Made His Job as County Exec Harder “Doyle said Friday he is working with Democratic legislative leaders on the next round of cuts for all state programs but was not ready to announce what he will recommend. A 5% cut in state aid to local governments would give them about $48 million less for their 2010 budgets. In February, before the latest […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 05/16/2009]
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]
County Supervisor said Walker has not supported efforts to get federal stimulus funds for green construction projects. “While the board’s override of the veto establishes the county is in favor of using stimulus money, County Supervisor Patricia Jursik said she is concerned Walker will delay efforts to research and apply for the money. County Supervisor Theodore Lipscomb, chairman of a committee created to research stimulus opportunities for the county, said that is […] [Daily Reporter, 04/01/2009]
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]
Leading Republicans to Wisconsin: ‘Yes We Can’t!’ Wisconsin Republican officials are responding to bipartisan overtures at the state and federal level by Democratic leaders by summarily rejecting efforts to create jobs, invest in infrastructure, reform health insurance and tackle the $5.4 billion deficit. [One Wisconsin Now, 01/22/2009]
Walker Cuts to County Staff Resulted in Skyrocketing Overtime “Milwaukee County’s 2008 overtime spending is on pace to match or beat last year’s record $15.8 million tab, despite extra recruitment and hiring of mental health and corrections workers, an analysis of county spending records shows. The overtime bill for the first 10 months of this year was $14.4 million. Overtime costs for November and […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 12/05/2008]
County Board Overrode Walker’s Veto of Court Staff Funding “The Milwaukee County Court System once again survived the veto pen of County Executive Scott Walker this budget season, holding onto more than two dozen court staff members. On Nov. 19 the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors voted 16-3 to override a partial veto by Walker, which would have slashed more than $1.3 million in […] [Wisconsin Law Journal, 11/24/2008]
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 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 Gave Up Control of House of Correction and Transferred to Sheriff “The board did not disrupt Walker’s plan to place oversight of the House of Correction under Sheriff David A. Clarke Jr. and merge it with Clarke’s operation of the county jail. Under the change, Walker would give up his management responsibility over the House of Correction and county work-release center. The center came under fire […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 11/11/2008]
Walker Opposed Sales Tax Increase to Fund Parks, Transit and Paramedics and Reduce Property Taxes, But Voters Supported Increase “A referendum on raising Milwaukee County’s sales tax by one percentage point to beef up funding for parks, transit and paramedics and to reduce property taxes appeared headed for approval in Tuesday’s voting. The advisory referendum ballot measure was leading late Tuesday by 53% to 47%, with 81% of the vote counted. The apparent win […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 11/05/2008]
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]
Supervisors criticized Walker for dragging his feet on hiring for County’s “green” building projects. “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. The idea was to have a sort of […] [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 2009 Budget Proposal Called for Privatizing Services, Laying Off 339 County Workers “Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker’s 2009 budget would potentially lay off 339 employees, mostly through privatizing food service, housekeeping, skilled trade and vehicle maintenance workers, supervisors were told Monday. …County Board Chairman Lee Holloway called Walker’s budget ‘the worst budget that I’ve experienced in 16 years on the board in terms of the cuts and […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 10/07/2008]
Walker County Budget Called Fee Hikes “Some fees would rise under Walker’s budget. For example, playing golf at county courses would increase by $3 per nine holes, according to the board staff review. Current fees range from $6.50 to $49 for nine holes, depending on the course. The county executive’s budget also would increase marina slip and boat launch fees by […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 10/07/2008]
Walker Wanted to Eliminate County Economic and Community Development Division “Milwaukee County’s economic development efforts would get a lower profile under County Executive Scott Walker’s 2009 budget. The Economic and Community Development Division would disappear, its duties parceled out to other departments. The county would no longer have an economic development director, but a lower-paid associate director of real estate, one rung lower, in a […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 10/03/2008]
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’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]
Walker’s Pledge to Freeze Property Tax and Refusal to Raise Any Taxes ‘Exacerbates the County’s Woes’ “But Walker exacerbates the county’s woes by sticking to his pledge to freeze the county property tax. The sentiment is commendable, but his intransigence is anything but. …Walker’s pledge fits his belief in small government. But it also conveniently provides Walker, who ran for governor in 2006 and clearly has his sights on higher office, […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 03/30/2008]
In 2008 Walker Reneged on Promise to Give Back $60,000 of Salary “Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker said Tuesday he’ll scale back the amount of his paycheck he returns to the county, if he’s re-elected to another term April 1. Walker will cut the sum he gives back from $60,000 annually to $10,000. …He joked today that his decision to continue giving back nearly 47% of his […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 03/19/2008]
After Walker Supported Cutting Shared Revenue, He Blamed Loss of Shared Revenue for Midyear Shortfall Walker announced the unusual midyear layoffs and workweek changes in a ‘Dear County Employee’ e-mail message after what he described as several rushed meetings with stunned department heads scrambling to patch a $7.8 million deficit in the county’s 2003 budget…Walker’s email to employees blamed the current-year deficit on ‘a number of unanticipated occurrences including significant […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 08/13/2003]
Plan Walker Supported Was Particularly Harsh On Milwaukee Gov. Jim Doyle said Tuesday he will veto a Republican plan for distributing the state aid local governments use to pay for services such as police and fire protection, saying it unfairly penalizes poorer cities such as Milwaukee. The Democratic governor said he also will use his veto authority to cap cuts in shared revenue […] [Associated Press, 07/09/2003]
But Then Walker Supported Republican Plan for Shared Revenue Cuts & Property Tax Freeze “Assembly Republicans on Thursday proposed a two-year statewide property tax freeze as a way to shield taxpayers…State aid to cities, counties, villages and towns would be set at $931 million in 2004 — the level recommended by Doyle, and about a 7 percent cut from state aid in 2003. Doyle, speaking to about 200 municipal […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 05/23/2003]
Walker Proposed Budget Which Cut Needle Exchange Program, Said AIDS Prevention Not a ‘Core Function of the County’ “Plans by Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker to cut $230,000 for AIDS prevention from the budget next yer were blasted Sunday at the 13th annual AIDS Walk Wisconsin….In Milwaukee County, county money is not directly used to buy needles, but the money does pay for staffing an AIDS prevention program that, in turn, provides the […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 09/30/2002]
Walker Sponsored Repeal of State Estate Tax Walker sponsored 2001 Assembly Bill 605, estimated to reduce state tax collections by up to $120 million per year by eliminating state taxes on the estates of wealthy Wisconsinites. [2001 AB 605, 01/01/2001]
Walker Supported Plan to Eliminate State Aid to Municipalities, Raise Local Sales Taxes The lawmakers’ proposal would eliminate the $ 819.5 million a year in operating subsidies that state government gives to cities, villages and towns.But it would continue state operating aid of $189 million to counties. The proposal would cut the 5 percent statewide sales tax by an amount equal to $ 819.5 million, which officials said […] [Associated Press, 02/26/1999]
Walker Deploys Cliches in Supporting State Spending Cap The Legislature must first tighten its own belt before it looks to new forms or levels of taxation.” [Wisconsin State Journal, 02/25/1994]