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True Confessions in Wisconsin
March 15, 2012 | 86 comments
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Maryland’s Radical-in-Chief
February 28, 2012 | 59 comments
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Ohio’s Issue Initiatives
October 27, 2011 | 16 comments
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Applying Paul Ryan
October 7, 2011 | 4 comments
State Watch
Total Recall
Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker is getting hit from all sides as he struggles to keep his office.
Wisconsin, the birthplace of the American socialist movement and the first state to allow public employees to unionize, has a blunt conservative governor named Scott Walker who has become a familiar face in the national spotlight.
Walker, who signed Republican-backed legislation last year to eliminate most public sector unions’ abilities to collectively bargain while requiring employees to start contributing to their pensions (5.8% of their salaries, on average) and double their health care premium (12.4% of premiums), has balanced a budget that started with a $3.6 billion deficit.
So far, the modest changes in state law are working. For example, Walker’s reforms allow schools to take private bids on health care insurance, saving schools hundreds of dollars per pupil. In addition, school districts have been able to implement performance-based payment systems, which has saved hundreds of teachers from being laid off.
For his efforts, Walker now faces a recall effort. Supporters recently filed more than 1 million signatures (twice as many as required). Walker will now be forced to defend himself in a special election.
According to Democratic and Republican Party officials, the spending on the recall by both sides is expected to total $100 million. That does not include $9 million in processing and software costs to taxpayers, according to estimates from the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board, the agency tasked with verifying petitions. This week, the MacIver Institute informs TAS, the agency failed to fulfill its promise to post the signed petitions online for inspection, which will only encourage additional expensive legal battles.
Thanks to Wisconsin law that allows political committees to raise unlimited funds for recall campaigns, Walker last month raised an impressive $5.1 million, which added to a $12 war chest built up since January of last year. A notable $500,000 donor is Texas homebuilder Bob Perry, a conservative activist and major funder of 527s, such as American Crossroads and the Club for Growth.
Recalls in Wisconsin have been permitted since 1926, but only four were held until last year. In an August special election, Democrats and outside union groups spent $44 million trying to recall six state senators. They succeeded only in removing two of them, and thus failed to win back a majority in the state senate.
Now, with labor unions making it a high priority to spend heavily in Wisconsin, Democratic consultants are concerned about using so many resources just months before the 2012 general election.
Gov. Walker, seeing the political challenges ahead, is proposing a major income tax cut, but he has backed off supporting right-to-work legislation of the sort that has just passed in Indiana. His approval number is at 51 percent (higher than President Obama’s 47 percent in Wisconsin), and Democrats are yet to find a strong, well-known candidate to challenge him.
Former Senator Russ Feingold was the most popular name floated as a potential opponent, but he is not interested. Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk announced her candidacy in mid-January, but has a record of defeat and extreme-left views. Likely candidates Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett and former Rep. David Obey, according to a recent Marquette Law School poll, trail Walker 50-44 and 49-43 percent, respectively. And State Senator Tim Cullen, a candidate who’s won the backing of the increasingly RINO-ish Republican Senate candidate, former Governor Tommy Thompson, also trails 50-40.
Walker faces an additional problem: a widening corruption investigation stemming from his tenure as Milwaukee County executive, which has led to the arrest of some of his former top aides. Although Walker himself is not under suspicion, former deputy chief of staff Tim Russell faces embezzlement charges involving more than $21,000 from a nonprofit Walker asked him to run. During the investigation, Russell’s domestic partner Brian Pierick, who has donated $250 to Walker, was charged with a felony child enticement after seized phones and computers showed him trying to lure young children into his van. In addition, prosecutors have charged former aid Kevin Kavanaugh with stealing $43,232 in donations while serving as treasurer of the local Military Order of the Purple Heart. Democrats will certainly make political hay as more details emerge from the investigation that is being led Milwaukee County district attorney John Chistholm, a Democrat.
It remains to be seen how badly the corruption investigation will hurt Walker’s chances. But it is clear that the outcome of recall election will set the tone for the rest of the country as states continue to wrestle with the interests of unions and serious fiscal crises.
About the Author
Matt Naugle writes about state governments for The American Spectator.
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Jack in Wi.| 2.3.12 @ 7:12AM
From someone here, it ain't pretty. Scott Walker is the best governor of my lifetime. I expect him to win the recall. The people here are broke and don't want to pay more taxes.
Timothy L. Pennell| 2.3.12 @ 11:07AM
I sent $50 to the Wisconsin Republicans, during the other Recall. I sent $50 to Scott Fitzgerald, yesterday. I hope the Republicans win, but if they don't, that's okay too.
I try and explain to my Boys that, when I yell at them, and when I get in their Face, it's because I Love them. It's because I want them to avoid the Mistakes that I've made in my life. From the Trouble that I got in. From the Bad Grades and the Bad Jobs. I want to them to be better than me. I want them ready, for what's out there.
I'm trying to keep them from having to Learn everything THE HARD WAY.
I understand that there are some people, and I was one of them, who never seem to Learn anything, unless it's by The Hard Way. I also realize that when you do learn that way, the Lesson tends to Stick.
Like Jack, I believe that Governor Walker will pull this out. I mean, he won the Election, last time around. If the same people get out and Vote? He should win, again.
But, if he should lose? That's okay, too. Maybe after Milwaukee becomes Detroit, and Wisconsin turns in to Illinois, this Union Free Ride BULLSH*T will END.
Or, they can do it THE EASY WAY.
Timothy L. Pennell| 2.3.12 @ 11:08AM
Go on line, and send them a coupla bucks.
Con Chef (NB) | 2.3.12 @ 12:38PM
"I try and explain to my Boys that, when I yell at them, and when I get in their Face, it's because I Love them. It's because I want them to avoid the Mistakes that I've made in my life. From the Trouble that I got in. From the Bad Grades and the Bad Jobs. I want to them to be better than me. I want them ready, for what's out there.
I'm trying to keep them from having to Learn everything THE HARD WAY."
WOW, Mr. Pennell. WELL SAID. You sound JUST like my Dad did when I was younger. Sometimes, I miss hearing the hard ass line from him. I can only hope & pray that I'll be as good a father to MY kids, when I have them, as MY Dad was to me & you are to your's.
Again, well said!
Timothy L. Pennell| 2.3.12 @ 12:58PM
Thanks buddy.
Anthony| 2.3.12 @ 3:55PM
Pennell For Governor (of Connecticut)!!!
Con Chef (NB) | 2.3.12 @ 8:51PM
My Mom was Italian on her Mom's side & Russian (Jewish) on her Dad's. My great maternal great grandparents came over on "the boat." Great Gran from Scicilia & Great Grand Dad from Calabria. Between those 2 & my Gran, it was basically an Italian house. My Gran ALWAYS cooked Kosher for my Grand Dad, but the kids were all raised in the old school way.
My Mom & her 3 other syblings are MASTERS of "the look." "The Look" from my Mom used to put the fear of G*d in me. I knew Mom wasn't f-ing around. Dad was the yeller. Always with a point, but an explosive temper. My Mom had, & STILL has sometimes (even though I'm a month shy of 33) just "The Look." Between her &my; wife, I really can't tell who's better at it.
Hell, if I were to raise my kids the way I was raised, in THIS day & age, some do gooder would call the cops on me for swatting the kid's ass for acting up in the grocery store, after a stern warning or "The Look," as I was. That, & a whole host of other reservations, are why my wife & I ain't having kids til we're DAMN good & ready.
My Mom always tells me, "kids don't come with instruction manuals." If THAT ain't G*d's honest truth. From what I read above, there's still a bunch of good parents out there, like mine. I salute you all.
Con Chef (NB) | 2.3.12 @ 8:54PM
Sorry, SUBVET, I meant to post the above under your comment so as to reply to all of you.
SUBVET| 2.3.12 @ 8:08PM
WOW.......Tim, you were lucky your dad yelled at you. When I grew up comming from a sicilian family all you got was "the look" and if that didn't work the razor strap hanging in the hall was used.
And I have to say it gave my brother and I a strong sence of right and wrong.
As I became a father of a boy & girl when it came time to disapline my kids child social services were at my door for just a spanking. If you ask my son 28 and my daughter 33 about their father growing up, they would say the strong discipline in their earlier years made them who they are today.
Yes we all try to protect our own so they don't have to go through the tough times and learn the hard way. I say when I grew up the times will never be like that again...I think I grew up in the best time in America. I feel bad that my kids will never expericence the freedom and good times of the 50's & 60's.
Now at 66 I have to educate them on being a free thinker and not listen to all the sheep.
A dad's work is never done.....
Timothy L. Pennell| 2.4.12 @ 10:05AM
Methinks that you misread my post.
My Father didn't Yell. He was a Fighter, not a Lover, if you get what I mean.
runningdeer| 2.6.12 @ 12:44AM
I have heard that from many folks and they say that he has kept his promises .
Petronius| 2.3.12 @ 7:14AM
If you haven't been behind the cheddar curtain, understand that Madison is like Never-never Land. The place is downright infantile. When I saw what appeared to be adults printing their petty screeds on the walks of the capitol building with childrens pastel chalks, I was tempted to ask them if their parents knew where they were and what they were doing. Even if they drive Governor Walker out, the policy reversals would ruin that state, but they care not. The unions have no consideration for the taxpayers'
ability, much less willingness to satisfy their demands. God help those who own property and want out.
Lost| 2.3.12 @ 12:35PM
Madison worse than never never land. Just take walk down State St in the summer and count the number of sidewalk vendors selling bongs and other drug related paraphernalia in plain sight. It is almost like they put hippie drugs in the water. It is Nuts
Petronius| 2.3.12 @ 8:18PM
If it wasn't for the Great Dane there wouldn't be a reason to consider stopping over. And the other brew pub ain't bad either.
Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 2.3.12 @ 7:25AM
Wisconsin is losing population. The population loss is accompanied by the fact that many who are leaving are retired and wealthy.
The economic considerations for some areas of the state are staggering, over a billion lost in one county alone.
This is a trend that will be accelerated throughout the rust belt, and throughout the Northeast, states who would rather raise taxes than survive:
http://www.jsonline.com/news/w.....59339.html
It turns out between 2006 and 2010 nearly 45,000 people left Wisconsin for Florida or Arizona, according to a report issued Tuesday by the Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance.
Put another way, the number of Wisconsinites heading south was roughly the size of a sellout crowd at Miller Park.
"It seems retirees, if they're moving south, are going to Arizona or Florida," said Dale Knapp, the report's author. "And for higher-income retirees, no income tax in Florida seals the deal."
The report analyzed 15 years of data from the Internal Revenue Service and U.S. Census Bureau to provide a portrait of people arriving and leaving the state. The report said over the last 15 years, "Wisconsin has shifted from a net importer to a net exporter of people and income."
Most people who exited Wisconsin left for a neighboring state or a warm-weather location between 2006 and 2010.
Higher-income retirees headed to Florida, and Wisconsin lost more of those with higher incomes than it gained.
The report showed that of the 27,826 people who moved to Florida, family income averaged $81,744. Arizona was a destination for 16,822 people from Wisconsin with family income that averaged $52,798. The report couldn't precisely break down the number of retirees heading south.
tsd| 2.3.12 @ 7:36AM
This is just a distraction by the union thugs. The people in Wisconsin will re-elect Walker by 70%. They have no candidate who to run against Walker who has a chance. Feingold and Barret will not run as they know they would get blown away. This is just a waste of tax payer dollars by a group of liberal union thugs and some usefull idiots.
SC Mike| 2.3.12 @ 7:49AM
Under collective bargaining teachers could and did selection the union’s affiliate as their health insurance provider. The union affiliate’s coverage cost $400 per month per employee more than the equivalent coverage on the state plan. With the end of collective bargaining, teachers were required to choose plans no more expensive than what the state offered, and voila, the union affiliate lowered its price to equal the state plan.
So $400 per month works out to about $5K per teacher per year in savings. That’s why the school districts were able to avoid cutbacks and layoffs. It’s too bad that Walker and his supporters can’t explain this in a soundbyte because it’s a potent message.
VonMisesJr| 2.3.12 @ 10:13AM
Absolutely correct, Mike. The unions had engineered that one "crony captitalist" insurance provider got the coverage "no bid" at exorbitant rates. See any similarities to solyndra or Ener1?
Democrat socialist in DC, the State Houses and union leadership always find ways to launder the people's money.
martin j smith| 2.3.12 @ 7:56AM
If the people of Wisconsin want to be taxed into the grave do not ask for a bail out. Its their problem. I hope they suffer of they get rid of Walker, I really do. They will deserve it.
Patrick| 2.3.12 @ 6:45PM
If Walker fails, our problems shall spill over into the other 49. If the unions win here, they will be far more emboldened to enslave other states. Yours too.
NJ Mike| 2.3.12 @ 8:31AM
FTA:" Russell's domestic partner Brian Pierick,"
Reaching across the aisle will bite you every time.
Elias| 2.3.12 @ 5:35PM
I caught that, too... Russell's "domestic partner.." should have been enough warning that Walker not give Russell any more than a friendly handshake and some warm wishes around the holidays.
Redstateboy| 2.3.12 @ 8:35AM
It is aaaaallllll about 1 thing and 1 thing only.. Union members will now have to physically write out their Union dues in the form of a personal check to their respective Unions and the Union bosses realize that Life in the Land of Hussein ain't pretty and when it comes down to putting Gas in the Car (it cost me nearly $50 F'n! yesterday) or getting the brakes looked at or fixing the home or paying the credit card bill(s) or the Tax bill or, or, or, or... suddenly writing out that Union dues check doesn't seem like a great idea. I can see it all now.. the Unions eventually sending out dunning notices to their members.
Anthony| 2.3.12 @ 8:50AM
All this money being p***** away by the left and the unions to seek revenge against this brave governor doing his job. What greed!!!
How many hungry children could all this money feed, eh you sanctimonious lefties?
I hope Walker survives, if not, Wisconsin can become California middle America.
To quote Michelle Antoinette; Let them eat cheese!!
Pecos Pete| 2.3.12 @ 9:18AM
On the bright side, the massive amount of union money going into Wisconsin is coming from union members without their approval. This will ultimately reduce union's ability to provoke other protests.
Patrick| 2.3.12 @ 6:48PM
Unless they win.
Indiana Alex| 2.3.12 @ 9:51AM
It is a shame. Here in Indiana we pass "Anti Union" (as the papers call it) Right to Work legislation, while right next door in the depths of a budget mess, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn gives a State of the State address anouncing plans to spend more money. How wonderful...
VonMisesJr| 2.3.12 @ 10:22AM
The good news is that we are bleeding the unions dry in Madison, Indiana, New Jersey, South Carolina and all across the nation. Like Thatcher said "Socialism fails when they run out of other people's money."
But here is some happy talk for Friday before the Superbowl: Conservatives won 700+ seats nationwide in 2010. The SEIU was able to save Dirty Harry Reids sorry butt, and they grinded out a win in WA state for the failed Community College teacher Patty Murray. Other than that, they got the living crap beat out of them.
I am tingly with the Giants in the Superbowl this weekend, and the upcoming November elections where the Democrats find out what it is like to really get the crap beat out of them!!! Go Giants!
Jocon307| 2.5.12 @ 5:25AM
"Go Giants!"
MEGA DITTOS!!!!
Thomas| 2.3.12 @ 10:51AM
What, no one saw this coming? Walker and the Republican controlled Legislature had a perfect opportunity to pass legislation which would modify the way the state's various governments had to deal with bargaining with public unions. They blew it. Walker, et al, engaged in a draconian attack on the public unions which had supported his opponent [those which supported him were exempted from the legislation] and simply denied them the right to bargain collectively. He went even further and capped salaries and benefits [only for the effected unions however] as well. It was a blatant political attack against what he considered his political enemies, not cost reduction, as measures that would have insured that [lay-off clauses and offers of the reduction of members wages and benefits] were already in place.
People seem to think that unions are simply a bunch of fat cats taking expensive vacations and living in luxury. Unfortunately, this is not true. Unions are all the members, the vast majority of whom work hard for a modest salary. And, all of these members have families, many of whom are not members of a union. And, the merchants that they frequent are probably not to happy about the loss in revenue that results from lower wages. So when the union membership starts losing money, on the political whim of the Chief Executive Officer of the State, then they can be expected to feel that that Officer does not have the best interests of the citizens of that state at heart. Hence, the recall.
We shall see what we shall see, here.
Pecos Pete| 2.3.12 @ 11:26AM
Higher wages for public sector unions means less money in the hands of more people, the tax payers, who spend a LOT more with merchants than union members.
Controse| 2.3.12 @ 1:29PM
Please do not be discouraged when you lose this year. Start saving now for next year. I recommend you and your union leader buddies spend twice as much next year. Forge twice as many signatures on the recall petitions. Twice as much twice should do the job of financially bankrupting what as long been a morally bankrupt organization.
MXLord327| 2.3.12 @ 4:02PM
I agree, he did blow it - the disgusting public sector unions still exist!! All this crap about lower wages it just that, crap! Wages would go up if unions were disbanded. There would be far less corruption and inefficiency, this leads to more productivity, and yes, higher wages. You say it was only a "blatant political attack", then why are taxes being reduced all over the state, and why is the budget balanced. If it was only a political attack, I think we should see more of it, especially in DC!!!
Lost| 2.3.12 @ 4:39PM
Remember the parent poster is one of those people that believe that the government can stimulate the economy by spending money. They do not understand that for every dollar the government spend on the economy more than twice that amount had to be taken out.
Patrick| 2.3.12 @ 6:50PM
Closer to 4.
Cpm| 2.3.12 @ 5:51PM
Unions these days are in business solely to perpetuate the union. That's why they often go against the best interests of their membership, the public, and the country.
JP| 2.5.12 @ 4:33PM
Not even FDR was enamored to Public Service Unions. They clearly work against the public interest. And unions are the domain of fat cats. Your strawmen ignore the simple fact that the unions, flushed with taxpayers money are (and supported by the Progressive Borg) accept no dissent. They will suck the taxpayers of Wisconsin dry in the end. Wisconsin, like most of the Rust Belt is fast becoming an economic, social, and political backwater. And the Public Service Unions will consume every last nickle of the citizens wealth.
Oldefarte| 2.3.12 @ 12:09PM
To those of you who expressed verbal political support [and especially those providing financial contributions] to Wisconsin's Governor Walker, I highly commend and thank you. This dastardly situation in this state is far beyond putrid, with the national immigration of these thuggish labor union members attacking Walker for his courageous political fight to economically/financially improve Wisconsin's deplorable previous-t0-his-arrival situation. As most of you are aware, this is NOT simply a matter of local/state labor unions declaring greviences BUT INSTEAD a nationalized effort from many labor organizations to politically hang this governor. I have no doubt whatsoever that this labor union effort is being orchestrated from 1600 Pennsylvania and/or the US Justice Dept in DC. Again, thank you all for your supporting this very courageous Republican governor in his defensive efforts and please please remember also that .......IT'S THE DEMOCRATS, STUPIDS!!!!!!
Ron| 2.3.12 @ 12:31PM
Pretty sad...I grew up in farm country in northern Wisconsin, and I remember the good that had been Wisconsin...The Packers, the Brewers, and Bucks! Hard work on the summer at the farm (got to drive the green chop combine when I was 9), fresh milkshakes after the evening milking, fall hunting...
Now, what a frigging mess...my relatives still live in farm country, (Crivitz, in Marinette County) and cannot stand what happened last year! A governor who is getting his State squared away, and this is the thanks he gets...Union scum and OWS knuckleheads attacking him...
Good luck Gov. Walker!
Con Chef (NB) | 2.3.12 @ 12:42PM
This whole debacle just goes to show that no good deed goes unpunished. Gee, I wonder if any of the teachers who DIDN'T get canned thanks to Walker's reforms will form little protest groups of kids to campaign FOR Gov. Walker in the recall, just like they did when they were railing AGAINST the reforms that ended up saving their damned jobs? Something's telling me not to hold my breath.
Un-freaking-real. All I can do is shake my head.
James| 2.3.12 @ 3:22PM
I'm going to write in Scott Walker for the Democratic primary.
Edward Cropper | 2.3.12 @ 10:28PM
Why would Wisconsin's recall set the tone for the rest of the country when Wisconsin is nuttier and more leftist than most of the other states. Where do writers get this stuff without giving one ounce of evidence to support their assertions.
martin j smith| 2.5.12 @ 3:26PM
Edward Cooper: One theory--They are Socialists or they could simply be stupid.
Chris| 2.5.12 @ 3:34PM
All they have to do is drag out all the Mafia Dominated & Controlled Unions as "Named Defendents" in the Federal District Court 2nd CIRCUIT in NYC side by side with the "Wiseguys"! Too sissyfied to do that though!
Art Kelly| 2.7.12 @ 12:11PM
The article states, "...prosecutors have charged former aid Kevin Kavanaugh..."
The correct word is "aide" from aide-de-camp.
Scott Schoemann| 3.15.12 @ 11:57PM
Naugle, get your nose out of Walkers butt and get the FACTS and forget Walkers LIES. Again someone needs to stand up and report the truth, like for more than two decades Wisconsin state workers union members surrendered their Annual and regular cost of living raises to their insurance and pension fund payments IN ADDITION TO PAYROLL DEDUCTIONS. Another Lie of Omission... The Elected State officals take their benefits from the same fund WITHOUT those same contributions... ALSO the people who get the HIGH wages are not the "employees", who average under $35K a year, the big money goes to supervisory staff which the state is over loaded with, who are NOT Union members and were not affected by Walksers rape of the wprking people within the state. START doing some damned fact checking! You are getting WORSE than the Liberal MSM! All of these FACTS are published annually as required by state LAW, including the individual wage for every single position a state employee, hourly or salaried, holds, bar none. This is why it was so easy for the recall petition to be filled up so fast. With signers from both sides liberal and conservative. All Walker really accomplised is guaranteeing that we are stuck with another Democrat when we need a TRUE Conservative, not a big buisness owned shill, and while you are fact checking, look up our "new" child labor laws...