Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker’s First 100 Days
by Brett HealyCould it really only be 100 days?
Indeed, it has been just over three months since Republican Scott Walker took the oath of office as the Governor of Wisconsin. Now known across the country as the maverick who had the nerve to take on the powerful government employee unions in only his first month in office (or by opponents as the union busting supply sider), the mild-manner preacher’s son was off to a fast start in the weeks before he proposed sweeping changes to the collective bargaining power of public employees.
Before he even took office, Walker surprised many when he turned down $800 million in federal transportation funding for a high speed rail project he had said during the campaign that the state did not need and could not afford to maintain.
Immediately upon taking the oath of office, he called the legislature into special session; getting both houses (now brimming with newly-minted GOP majorities) straight to work on economic development proposals. Several of his bills passed with bipartisan support. and became law by the middle of February. These included passing long standing GOP initiatives like tort reform and HSA incentives to new proposals like revamping the state’s Commerce department into a public-private economic development agency.
And then, he proposed curbing the powers of public employee unions….
Fourteen fleeing state senators, thousands of work-skipping teachers, three weeks of Capitol Sleep-ins and one protest speech by Michael Moore later, and we’ve reached this first milestone. It is the one by which most governors are judged on the construction of their cabinet, their use of the bully pulpit and maybe the ability to get a piece or two of legislation passed, or at least significantly advanced.
MacIver’s Bill Osmulski sat down with Governor Walker and asked him for his thoughts on the first 100 days of his administration
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170 Comments
Walker ought to have a deep discussion with boehner and tell him how to grow a pair….
You sunk that nail with one hit!
This guy keeps getting better and better !
Governors should take lessons from him…
Clone him !
"…revamping the state’s Commerce department into a public-private economic development agency."
Public-Private partnerships is the 2011 term for SOCIALISM. This is not a step forward for anything but Marxist Communism. These two things are on opposite sides of a clear cut line and any blending of them, any blurring of that line is a huge mistake and going the wrong direction when Individual Liberty is the goal.
I respect a great deal of what Walker is doing, (and I notice FOX News has now starting saying that he stropped the civil service unions of collective bargaining POWERS…..HURRAY someone in media finally got it correct!!!!!) but I guess I need some explanation as to how a government agency/department treading on economic freedom via forced "partnership" is a good thing. I submit it is nothing of the kind, indeed, that it is quite the opposite.
Scott Walker is a dynamo and a real leader, I wish he had time to give leadership classes to the entire GOP.
Full speed ahead brother, this is what leadership looks like. The Wisconsin taxpayer seems to have a real advocate in their statehouse, right on Gov. Walker.
Walker seems to be a diamond in the rough, politics-wise. No telling what he'll do next, especially with
the support of the citizens of WI.
We must remember he is operating in a very Left-leaning state. Everything he proposes may not pass
muster with purist conservatives.
Remember what Sarah Palin got accomplished in AK before she was nationally recognized . . . The DNC
will be watching all the upstart Gov.'s now to make sure no more shining stars arise.
Happy Trails, ALL!
; )
Walker refused funding for a high speed line from Madison to Milwaukee to get funding for a line from Milwaukee to Chicago, the Hiawatha line of Wisconsin and Southern Railroad whose owner, Bill Gardner, illegally funneled contributions to Walkers' campaign.
Three cheers for Scott Walker!
Scott Walker and Chris Christie would make one hell of a power-house team, doncha think?
Unlike some people Governor Walker has a set.
I like that description, diamond in the rough, and I would offer that it is centered on him being willing to stand firm on his position and what guided him to it. Being unafraid of the mob mentality that unions have long rested on (as opposed to production numbers supporting their demands) is something that takes guts.
Locally, he is treated like Sarah Palin is nationally and I will hand this to him, he has demonstrated courage not seen in politics in a very long time. I hope some polishing takes place as the left in Wisconsin tries to grind.
I noticed that a couple businesses have already left Illinois for Wisconsin and I expect some more probably will. It is going to be interesting to see how many do. Neighboring states have diametrically opposed actions in play……gee……I wonder which state will fair better in the next few years?
The worst governor ever.
Care to elaborate as to why you think so?
I talk to a lot of Republicans in my job and people need to realize that we didn't get into this financial mess over night and we won't get out of it over night,Governor Walker made great strides in his first 100 days but the fight isn't over by a long shot,these communist have entrenched themselves deep into our system over the last 40 or 50 years and we are just now starting to peel off layers of this onion,this stinky rotten onion called communism,or in today's PC language Progressive collectivism.It's going to take hundreds of men and woman like Governor Walked to turn this Titanic around,it can be done,Governor Walker is proof of that.What kind of country do we want for our children and grandchildren?
Scott Walker is the definition of a good beginning…
Walker …Truly a stand-up guy. Walking the Walk and so effective. May ALL Governors do the same.
What a clear and concise argument!! You've made your case well.
I believe it to be a bridge of sorts. Out-sourcing to the private sector relieves the gov't of much (employees, payroll, pensions, healthcare, union members & dues, etc). Because the Gov't can't (won't) immediately eliminate the service, next best thing is to sub-contract it out, IMO.
He can give lessons in schools for profit and jobs for bribes.
He is also a fanatical, blatantly corrupt moron.
He is a true hero to the people of Wisconsin. He stood up to the Union bosses and didn't even blink, and won! I could see him running for the White house in 2016 if he stands his ground and fights the good fight until then. Guard him well Wisconsin! He has the animals in the unions scared to death, and scared animals tend to do terrible things to survive.
Kickback that's what.
I voted for him & would do so again.
Just last Friday another small company from Illinios with 50 employees moved here to escape Illinios taxes & catch a break. That is a plus for Wisconsin.
He eats cornflakes made by the Koch brothers,HAHAHA! You communist are over the top!
People want leaders who solve problems, not create them.
Thanks.
Uh… it's not a forced partnership. And it's just that: a partnership. The government isn't holding all the cards here sir.
Bill Gardner funneled $$$ to both Partys illegally Walker & the Dems have returned all of it. Gardner was arrested & charged. as he SHOULD have been.
The rail line between Milwaukee & Chicago already exist & is in need of repairs. Walker requested funds to repair that existing infrastructure.
These hacks will spin anything.
Once again you're offering up subjective opinions as proof of objective observations.
Walker would make a good talk show host.
Bush ran the country into the ground. Same thing is happening in Wisconsin.
The left disrespected the November voters. They are still stunned they lost every branch of Government here in Wisconsin. The days of Madison, Milwaukee proper (County) & Superior running the entire State are over.
Wisconsin was the 4th highest taxed State in the Union once you combined all the fees, licences & taxes.
The TAX EATERS caused the TAX PAYERS to rebel.
I LIKE WALKER.
Fortunately for Walker he didn't have a rich family spending twenty-five million dollars telling the world he was a bad governor. If it wasn't for the twenty-five million Emmer would've been giving Walker competition.
Walter Hanson
Minneapolis, MN
Good comment. You beat me to it!
W.A.C.K.O. radio.
This battle is going to be fought again and again in every state. Government workers who make more money and have more expensive benefits than the taxpayers who fund them are going to have to become a thing of the past or no fiscal house will ever be put in order.
As for the conflict between the tax payer and the tax consumer there is no question as to who will ultimately end that. The consumer needs us (payer) and we need them not at all. Even if they do vote in democrat majorities and get crooked judges to support them at some point we just quit giving. Who is going to work when you don't even get to keep a majority of the fruits of your labor, or even a significant minority of it? Atlas will shrug.
I am not a big Bush fan, but your comparison makes about as much sense as comparing me to you. if you think that saving a state from the brink of bankruptcy is running it into the ground, then what is a better solution? Let it go bankrupt? Then everyone suffers. Of course, I am sure that your solution would have only the people that actually work for a living suffering.
I wouldn't disagree with that, provided that is the path, actually.
I would put it this way. A government shouldn't have a truck and a driver to fill that pothole. Government should only administrate the taxpayer funds to facilitate that pothole filled – as in – have a contract with private businesses. Every government job of this kind takes away a private sector job.
I view this as a transaction, not a partnership.
Public -private partnerships make private businesses bow to government as if they are public entities. Think a smoking ban in bars and eateries. Government has no business deciding the business models entrepreneurs choose, government is not empowered to decide what the models will be.
The public-private partnership label has been created to justify creep of government control into the private sector. Dangerous to private property rights it is and it is prudent to take notice of that.
Danny, government is holding some cards it shouldn't be, like banning a legal product from being used within a private business. Care to disagree?
For the past 100 days Walker has lead a state where the political climate is so volatile that politicians are recalling each other on both sides. Blame who you like, the problem is lack of leadership.
Government at the federal level spent trillions, out of the blue, in a couple years, those trillions and more can be cut in just the same way. While smaller numbers, the same thing can take place at the state level.
I see no reason to tamp down expectations because the only thing that will come of it is lower levels of achievement. Isn't that very thing a problem is our society as a whole? I second your question!
What kind of country do we wish to leave for our children and grandchildren? One where expectations are high, or scaled back?
Which congresses spent more? the first six years of the Bush Presidency or the last two years? And how about since Obama usurped power?
I find it hilarious that the leftists are back to Blame Bush. Next you will saying it is Bush making gas prices rise now……..
I voted for Walker when he ran for Milwaukee County Executive back in 2002, and he has been a champion for fiscal restraint and smaller government. When he ran for Governor, I was happy to get someone who would apply the same values to our state that was out of control. Wisconsin is learning to deal with the mess from the past, and we will be a better state because of it. The first 100 days came with a lot of complaining and underhanded tactics from the left, but I support him for all the hard work.
Thanks Scott, and keep up the good work. The people of Wisconsin are backing you.
New leadership.
Walker's been more than public about the need to end various regulations restricting businesses. The man's pro-business through and through.
What?
I wholeheartedly agree, Ash. The more the gov't does these transitions in sub'ing out the work – hopefully (yea, hopefully) they will take the role of just being the administrator. And there are no private property rights anymore …other than gov't property, we all pay property taxes. And if we don't …the County & State takes your property away.
During campaigns you attack. But if you win the election you stop attacking and lead by compromise and negotiation. Walker and his supporters are still attacking. The more voters they attack the more votes they lose.
For the past 100 days Walker has lead a state where the political climate is so volatile that politicians are recalling each other on both sides. Blame who you like, the problem is lack of leadership.- – -
What is your opinion of Gov. Granholm(Michigan)?
It's a shame you can't recognize sarcasm. Is your affliction learned or congenital?
And what is your opinion of Geo Soros?
Keep busting the Unions and supporting Gov Walker! He made American History by saving our Economy from the Union thugs that funnel tax payer money right back to Obama, Soros and the Socialist Democrats who are trying to "Fundamentally Transform America into Socialism" and overwhelm we regular Americans!
Let's face it, the people who are temporarily using our White House HATE U.S! and our American Exceptionalism! They are PACKING America with Foreigners for a reason. Deport them and close up Immigration until we can ge this Country back to normal!
Urgent message from team parasite!
"Hey, don't run the car into the ditch and then tell us how to get it out. I have no problem cleaning up your mess. Just don't sit in the back seat and tell me how to do it." — Barack Obama
he also got a 50¢ rebate coupon on the cereal. can you say "KICKBACK!"?
What?
Hey, don't run the car into the ditch and then tell us how to get it out. I have no problem cleaning up your mess. Just don't sit in the back seat and tell me how to do it.” — Scott Walker.
you're an embarrassment to internet commentary, and that's saying something.
ok, now it's your turn to play the "i know you are, but what am i" game.
Gov. Kasich (Ohio) has gone on a similar game plan by making sweeping changes in his first few months. The usual suspects are apoplectic and frothing.
Senate Bill 5, which is similar to Wisconsin's bill, was signed into law about a week ago and the Unions are doing their best to have it placed on the general ballot, to be overturned, this November. The thing is, the budget is set. If SB5 is overturned the local municipalities and school districts won't have the necessary tools to balance their budgets. Oh well, as long as the government bloat get their vig, who cares about the rest of the public.
Walker thug humor. I support union thugs.
You can't scare me. I'm voting for the union.
I'm not so sure the state is that left leaning anymore. There has been a major shift – and I think the Prosser election proves it. What with everyone in the Kremlin West (Madison) voting, and a lower voter turnout in the rest of the state, yeah, I think it's at least moved to the center.
What a mystery hey, how useless is a Boehner without a set of balls?
You familiar with the fact that our State Constitution REQUIRES a balanced budget every year? Not doing so would be neglecting his oath of office to uphold said document.
Yep, Isn't it amazing to see how hard Obamas gang comes after a Real Leader? I suppose it shouldn't though because that is the union mentality, not "lets work harder here, but hey buddy slow it down a little , know what I mean? No leaders just losers.
Those dollars wouldn't have been wasted if 1. Dem Senators didn't flee and 2. Dem pols didn't challenege the law in court.
Not really sure where you are going with this line of argument.
Governors all over the country pass budget bills without wasting money in federal courts. The budget bill could easily be passes locally with minor modifications
Oh papa George he's a real leader, take a look. He's the leader of the children of the korn, he's taking them to the kornhole.
http://www.myfreewallpapers.net/music/pages/korn-...
We The People need to be consistent with the pressure we put on our elected officials.
Us district courts will not allow governors to grant some groups collective bargaining rights and not others.
We need 49 more with cajones like his!
This just in, the TAXPAYERS of Wisconsin have picked a winner and the ones who wish to do little work for the maximum wages and benefits are furious. Gonna be a bright, bright , bright sun shineyday…
Relying on federal court to repair a state budget is promoting big government.
Difference:
B. Hussein Obama actually said this.
Scott Walker did not.
That is precisely why Walker is a leader while Hussein is not.
We seem to have gotten off subject, we aren't talking about obama here. We are taking about Scott Walker who has stopped the continuing rape of the taxpayers so the democrats could continue to buy votes, jeesh.
The ideas of Walker supporters are good. It's the leadership that is lacking. The verbal banter is great.
all those who would rather have it taken from the host it's living off of and given to them without effort or merit feel the same, you go, after all it's all about YOU.
That he got all this stuff done is great, that he really pissed of the left/progressives/unions is all a bonus. Just saw that their new supreme court justice might change to the conservative because of some missed votes? And the error was by a conservative so there will be investigations! Still waiting on the recalls on both sides to get started.
I havn't but maybe someday in a national election I will. He's definately on my list
Say what you will about him but Scott Walker must qualify as the bravest SOB to hit politics since Andrew Jackson. He could have played it safe and easy – You know, the tried-and-true method that has landed us all in this financial sinkhole. Instead he put on his asbestos underwear and went out and actually did what he said he would do. I believe this is called a "courageous devotion to principles." Amazing in a public office-holder in the 21st Century. The pressure this guy was (and is) under from the public sector goons and their enablers in the media must be incalculable and he is still hanging tough.
Walker fearlessly put the question on the table for everyone to see – Do public employees work for the good of the public or do we work for them? The answer from the unions has been a snarling "You people work for US!" What else did we expect?
I want cash, send me some.
Know ye this, if you vote Union you vote against fellow taxpayers and vote yes to communist/ socialist ideology, absolutly no doubt about it.
No the problem for YOU is leadership.. Listen boy, this is what real leadership looks like, not like that panty waist in the oval office right now.
Wow, I'll bet that opinion was formed right after the bride of frankenstein started to fall behind in an attempted but failed effort to steal the supreme court election, am I right? Yep I am. Although the real point was totally missed by your blindness to the facts. Scott Walker told folks what he would do if elected (2). Scott Walker got elected and proceeded to keep his promise.(3). All Scott Walker wants from the courts is to uphold the law even if crybabies don't like it.(4). You wanted the courts stacked in the crybabies favor and now your stomping your feet. Any questions, see me after class,or ask Obama, he has no class.
I'm not your boy. You don't scare me. Are you a wife beater?
They should just change the WI constitution so that Walker can be permanent governor. There's no reason to have another election so that the communist union thugs can try to destroy things further.
Yea he'll be president soon, I' m sure.
Why don't Scott Walker run his own state. I'm not from Wisconsin I can't match that.
And that, Mwa, sums up the union mentality and mission in life. "I want cash. Send me some."
Go earn it, kid. That's what the rest of us do. The world (that would be the rest of us) doesn't owe you a living.
I beat myself??? DUH
Now, now Mary don't be like that. If you can;t see how “the bill” will end up in US district court, there is no hope for you my friend, or is the term bucco?
"a government shouldn't have a truck and a driver to fill that pothole."
Should a government even have (own) a road that needs a pothole filled? Probably not.
The worst troll ever.
Soros called.
He said to tell you he wants his money back.
OFF TRACK TOPIC OF THE DAY: Commentary
I think big Pharmacutical got John Boehner elected, and I think pfizers Viagra in particular.
How else can so my get stiffed by someone with (no huevos).
Pictures?
(for the record, I spit coffee all over the keyboard, that was the perfect straight line. Made my morning, ma'am)
Perhaps I should have added "traditionally" left leaning state. One election does not remake an entire
states political leanings, IMO.
I will reserve my judgment on that front for 5 years down the road . . . Will another Republican conser-
vative Gov succeed Walker, that will tell the tale.
.
Walker IS the new leadership.
He just took over for the Democrat leadership that ran the state into the ground.
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