Walker Television Attack Ignores Corruption, Cronyism, Incompetence of His Privatized Commerce Department

MADISON, Wis. — Gov. Scott Walker’s campaign today announced a new negative television blitz against former Wisconsin Commerce Secretary and business leader Mary Burke. One Wisconsin Now Executive Director Scot Ross ripped career politician Scott Walker for attempting to “swift boat” his opponent while refusing to answer questions raised by a One Wisconsin Now report showing not only is his privatized Commerce Department (WEDC) failing to deliver promised jobs, but that 60 percent of taxpayer-financed aid – a staggering $570 million – went to donors to Walker’s campaign.

One Wisconsin Now Executive Director Scot Ross commented, “Gov. Walker learned something from his conversations with Karl Rove, in particular, attack your opponent on the issue that’s your biggest vulnerability. That his privatized commerce department is known more for cronyism, corruption and incompetence than delivering jobs shows that this is nothing more than Gov. Walker’s attempt to ‘swift boat’ Mary Burke.”

Among the key findings of the report, “W is for WEDC”, are:

• Gov. Walker received a more than $1 million direct campaign benefit and $1 million to the RGA from WEDC aid recipients, who in turn received nearly 60 percent of economic development dollars – $570 million of the $975 million distributed.
• WEDC economic development dollars are not resulting in promised job creation.
• WEDC fund recipients include companies engaged in health and safety violations, mass layoffs and conflicts of interest.

A review of campaign finance records for Walker and the Republican Governors Association found that 192 donors associated with businesses receiving WEDC grants donated $1,023,546 directly to Gov. Walker’s campaign. An additional $1,088,256 went to the RGA, which spent $13 million on behalf of Gov. Walker in his 2010 and 2012 elections. In addition, the RGA has spent or reserved $4 million on advertising for Walker in 2014.

Ross concluded, “Gov. Walker’s WEDC handed out $570 million in aid to businesses which contributed $1 million to his campaign. Our taxpayer job creation funds are not Gov. Walker’s personal slush fund for campaign donors.”

Read the full report at: http://bit.ly/WIsForWEDC