Scott Walker is back in the saddle and back to his old ALEC tricks
We have gotten a preview of what happens in Wisconsin when Gov. Walker and his gang strip civil service protections away, and it has been a disaster. [Wisconsin Gazette]
Earned Media
Elizabeth Warren, Russ Feingold talk student debt at UW-Madison
One Wisconsin Institute has shown that those with student loan debt are more likely to rent than buy a home and more likely to buy a used car than a new one. [Capital Times]
One Wisconsin Now: Walker & Cronies Attack Civil Service System
One Wisconsin Now’s Scot Ross says cronyism, corruption and incompetence have been the hallmarks of Walker’s administration and now its moving to gut the state’ [Workers Independent News]
Scott Walker: Back in the Saddle, Back to His Old ALEC Tricks
We have gotten a preview of what happens in Wisconsin when Gov. Walker and his gang strip civil service protections away, and it has been a disaster. [PRWatch]
Back in Wisconsin, Scott Walker’s latest cause is civil service overhaul
People need look no further than the embattled Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation to find out what happens when civil service protections are removed. [Capital Times]
Scott Walker says he’ll be a stay-at-home governor
State employees lost civil service protections when WEDC was created, and it has been plagued with cronyism, corruption and incompetence ever since. [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]
UNSPUN: September 23, 2015
One Wisconsin Now's Scot Ross and Republican politico Bill McCoshen discuss the hows and whys of Gov. Scott Walker's failed bid for president. [WMTV-TV]
With Scott Walker back to work in Wisconsin, focus returns to what’s next for state
Scot Ross said appointing Bradley to the seat would allow her political ads next spring to refer to her as “Justice Bradley,” and that would be “unseemly.” [Wisconsin State Journal]
Walker commits to finishing term, passing on cabinet post
"Isn't Walker claiming he plans to serve his full term now eerily similar to his earlier claim?" asked Mike Browne of the liberal group One Wisconsin. [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]
What now? Scott Walker returns to Wisconsin after failing on the national stage
It's not the first time Walker's left a primary early that he couldn't win. He'll be back. Campaign politics is all he knows. [Capital Times]
Report: Scott Walker to announce he’ll drop out of presidential race Monday in Madison
When faced with a real choice, Republicans voters choose, literally, anyone but Scott Walker. [Capital Times]
Walker Drops Presidential Bid , Should Apologize
A terrific start to Scott Walker’s post-presidential candidate schedule would be an apology to the people of Wisconsin for the harm he’s done to our state. [WKOW-TV]
Rebecca Bradley kicks off high court campaign
A hand-picked crony whose past campaigns have been closely overseen by Walker’s political machine seeking more power raises all kinds of red flags. [Associated Press]
State superintendent would be appointed by governor under Republican proposal
"Having failed to win at the ballot box or in the courts these power hungry Republicans now want to change the Wisconsin Constitution to get their way," said One Wisconsin Now executive director Scot Ross. [Capital Times]
14th Annual Fighting Bob Fest to be Held This Weekend
"A place where people can unapologetically talk about the need for progressive values, ideas and policies in the public debate," Scot Ross, executive director of One Wisconsin Now, explaining why he thinks the event has become so popular. [Public News Service]
Scott Walker’s Economically (and Politically) Wrongheaded Scheme to Destroy Unions
He’s now trying to boost his sagging poll numbers by promoting the same kinds of attacks on working people that vaulted him to national prominence while conveniently ignoring how his policies left Wisconsin in shambles. [The Nation]
Scott Walker pledges to battle unions, again
"It’s no surprise he’s now trying to boost his sagging poll numbers by promoting the same kinds of attacks on working people that vaulted him to national prominence while conveniently ignoring how his policies left Wisconsin in shambles." [Capital Times]
Scott Walker to propose abolishing unions for federal workers
It's no surprise he's now trying to boost his sagging poll numbers by promoting the same kinds of attacks on working people that vaulted him to national prominence while conveniently ignoring how his policies left Wisconsin in shambles. [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]
UNSPUN: September 09, 2015
One Wisconsin Now Executive Director Scot Ross made his regular appearance on UNSPUN for a discussion about Governor Walker's poll numbers and Hillary Clinton coming to Wisconsin. [WMTV-TV]
Who, What, Why: Can a bang on the head cause a bald spot?
The comments prompted some ridicule at the time, with left-leaning One Wisconsin Now accusing him of making "hair-raising excuses" and "bald-faced distortions". [BBC]
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]
Scot Ross: Back to school shouldn’t mean decades of debt
For too many Wisconsinites, the $1.3 trillion student loan debt crisis continues unabated, burdening their family finances and holding back our economy. [Capital Times]
Muslim advocate: Scott Walker is ‘enabling ISIS’ with ‘radical Islam’ rhetoric
One Wisconsin Now suggested Walker's message was driven by the conservative Milwaukee-based Bradley Foundation, whose president is Walker's presidential campaign chairman. [Capital Times]
Scott Walker gives foreign policy speech: ‘I have been tested like no other candidate in this race’
"This guy couldn't keep 14 senators from sneaking off to Illinois but he's going to secure our borders, end hostilities in the Middle East and rid the world of ISIS.' [Capital Times]
In light of Scott Walker’s China comments, aides defend Wisconsin’s trade relationship
Scott Walker desperately wanted to change the media focus on his three positions in a week as he tries to chase Donald Trump's race to the sewer. [La Crosse Tribune]
G.O.P. Candidates Take Aim at China as U.S. Markets Tumble
He’s paying so little attention to Wisconsin he probably doesn’t know about it, so it would be fun to hear his response. [New York Times]
Scott Walker, Crony Capitalist
A report by One Wisconsin Now found that since 2009 the governor’s campaign organization had received more than $2.1 million from individuals linked to WEDC awards. [Politico]
Walker’s dystopian vision will push the threat of economic isolation, military feet on the ground and “steal in the face of our enemies.”
One Wisconsin Now made an important point. In fact, if anybody needs a backbone it's Scott Walker, Walker was once drooling over the possibility of trade with China. [Democurmudgeon]
Scott Walker Is Two-Faced on China
“In his desperate attempt to out-Trump Trump, Scott Walker has out-Palined Palin.” [Daily Beast]
Scott Walker to campaign at ‘crisis pregnancy center’ also visited by Jeb Bush
It's fitting that the same guy who refused to be straight with Wisconsin voters about his position on abortion in 2014 is visiting a crisis pregnancy center. [Capital Times]
Scott Walker backs bill to block federal money for Planned Parenthood
This latest bill is more political opportunism, putting Walker's presidential primary politics ahead of people's health. [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]
Baldwin hosts roundtable on student loans
Currently student loan debt is reaching $1.3 trillion, surpassing the combined total of auto and credit card debt, falling short only of mortgage loans, said Scot Ross. [Eau Claire Leader-Telegram]
Lawmakers Continue to Tinker with Walker’s Job Creation Agency
There is a lot of money being spent through this agency to try to create a lot of jobs in Wisconsin, and it has been a complete and utter failure. [WUWM-FM]
Student loan debt featured topic on Capitol City Sunday
"They're not looking for a bailout, they're just asking to be treated fairly and being able to access fair market interest rates would be a step in the right direction." [WKOW-TV]
Column: Sen. Rick Gudex reveals himself as politician, not leader
Gudex and his fellow Republicans need to remember they’re supposed to be working for us, not covering Walker’s backside, and resist the temptation to allow partisanship to overcome common sense. [Capital Times]
Drafting files reveal series of changes to Wisconsin fetal tissue legislation
One Wisconsin Now research director Jenni Dye noted that the provisions of the original drafting request are no longer part of the bill being introduced and said the timing of the addition of the research ban language suggests it was driven by the release of the Planned Parenthood videos. [Capital Times]
Months later, still no final costs for Scott Walker’s trips abroad
Scot Ross, executive director of the liberal group One Wisconsin Now, said Walker’s campaign for president has gotten a political benefit from his recent trips without having to pay the full financial cost. “Scott Walker has had an active campaign account for the last 22 years that’s raised and spent more money than any state candidate […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]
UNSPUN: August 12, 2015
One Wisconsin Now Executive Director Scot Ross made his regular appearance on UNSPUN to discuss Hillary Clinton, Scott Walker, and the Republican Debate. [WMTV-TV]
Four takeaways from Walker’s showing in the first presidential debate
Liberals were particularly peeved by Walker’s responses to the questions about abortion and targeting of African-Americans. They drew mentions from the websites Huffington Post and Think Progress and from the liberal group One Wisconsin Now. [Wisconsin State Journal]
Questions remain about Scott Walker’s ‘Unintimidated’ book deal
"Scott Walker hid the details of his book deal for two years and now we know why." [Capital Times]
Walker scores big with Koch brothers, other wealthy donors in informal poll
Liberal advocacy group One Wisconsin Now, which opposes school vouchers, described the makeup of the task force as being “packed” with voucher supporters, executive director Scot Ross said in a statement. The group pointed to $20,000 in campaign contributions that went to the GOP members of the committee from pro-voucher groups. [Wisconsin State Journal]
Scott Walker calls abortion to save a woman’s life a ‘false choice’
Jenni Dye, research director for the liberal group One Wisconsin Now, disputed Walker’s comments. “Absolutely there are situations where a woman’s life is in danger if she continues a pregnancy,” she said. “We need someone with medical training making these decisions, not politicians,” said Dye, who previously served as the executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice Wisconsin. “If […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]
Scott Walker saves his punches for Hillary Clinton in first GOP debate
Scott Walker's always been willing to say anything to get elected, but tonight, he was willing to say nothing to get elected. [Capital Times]
Scott Walker casts himself as ‘aggressively normal’ in first debate, stays clear of GOP squabbling
Liberal group One Wisconsin Now said Walker’s targeting of Planned Parenthood had dire consequences. The group said in a statement that Walker’s defunding of Planned Parenthood forced the closure of rural health centers and cut access to health services such as cancer screenings and birth control. [Wisconsin State Journal]
New Document Shows Scott Walker Was Targeted in Criminal Investigation
Scot Ross, president of the progressive group One Wisconsin Now, concurred with Fischer. “Scott Walker simply cannot be trusted,” he said. “Scott Walker repeatedly told the people of Wisconsin he wasn't under criminal investigation. Today, the evidence shows Scott Walker repeatedly wasn't telling the people of Wisconsin the truth.” [Daily Beast]
Will Scott Walker set himself apart in the GOP debate? He might not have to
The liberal group One Wisconsin Now also took issue with Walker’s “fresh face” pitch, arguing that he has, in fact, held elected office much longer than Clinton did. [Capital Times]
Student Activists Look to State Gov’ts When Uncle Sam Looks Other Way
We have state-based legislation we are pushing in Wisconsin. We think that states should be able to provide refinancing for folks who have student loans. [The Street]
Report alleges Scott Walker’s WEDC has failed, WEDC says it’s improving
The report from One Wisconsin Institute, the research arm of One Wisconsin Now, shows close ties between donors to Walker's campaigns and recipients of awards from WEDC — the quasi-public agency Walker launched to replace the state Department of Commerce shortly after he took office in 2011. [Capital Times]
WEDC Record in Wis. Has Been a Scandal-Wracked Failure
Much of the cash flowed to Walker’s political allies. According to a new report by the left-leaning One Wisconsin Institute, 60 percent of the $1.14 billion given out by the WEDC went to firms connected to Walker’s campaign contributors—that includes more than $2.1 million those donors have given Walker’s election campaigns directly. [In These Times]
Wisconsin’s Economic Cautionary Tale
According to a new report by the left-leaning One Wisconsin Institute, 60 percent of the $1.14 billion given out by the WEDC went to firms connected to Walker’s campaign contributors — that includes more than $2.1 million those donors have given Walker’s election campaigns directly. [San Francisco Chronicle]