Thursday, May 23, 2013
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker could appeal to both social and fiscal conservatives, making him a candidate to "fear" in the Iowa Caucuses, progressives warn.
West Des Moines, Iowa — Amid growing speculation that Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker is testing GOP presidential waters in Iowa and elsewhere, progressive activists warned Thursday at a rally here that a Walker presidency would be “terrifying" and disastrous to middle-class families. Walker hasn’t said he’s a candidate, but his appearance Thursday at a Republican fundraiser in Iowa’s largest county, as well as a handful of appearances in the Northeast and before powerful conservative groups, suggest that he’s at least considering a 2016 run for the Republican presidential nomination. The “Scott Walker Truth Squad,” as activists from Progress Iowa and One Wisconsin Now call themselves, told reporters at a news conference that Walker has the …
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Our sister Patch in West Des Moines, Iowa, reports that a Scott Walker “Truth Squad” plans to rally ahead of Wisconsin governor’s appearance before Republican activists.
West Des Moines, Iowa — Advocacy groups for progressives in Iowa and Wisconsin are holding “Scott Walker Truth Squad” in advance of the Wisconsin governor’s appearance Thursday at a Polk County Republican Fundraiser, one of several of appearances before GOP activists that point to a possible presidential run in 2016. Advisers to Walker say he’s returning a favor to Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad, who hosted a fundraiser in Dubuque, Iowa, for the embattled Wisconsin governor during his 2012 recall election, the Washington Post reported. Even if Walker’s advisers are telling it like it is, and that Walker’s appearance with Branstad is just a little quid pro quo among political friends, the pre-banquet rally by Progress Iowa and One Wisconsin Now …
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
For Republican lieutenant governor, the biggest battle isn't in the state Capitol - it's dealing with the every day challenges that come with being a parent.
About this sponsorship: In honor of the 60th anniversary of Sir Edmund Hillary’s historic ascent of Mount Everest, Patch and Grape-Nuts are teaming up to highlight those who inspire people around them to climb their own mountains. Rebecca Kleefisch is the highest ranking woman in Wisconsin politics today, having been elected twice to the office of lieutenant governor. She is Gov. Scott Walker's point person business creation in the state and is a sought after speaker on conservative values. She has also battled colon cancer during her first run for office and is an advocate for early screenings, like the one that made her fight against the disease easier to overcome. But it is not the political campaign or the fight over cancer that …
Monday, April 29, 2013
Documentary "Citizen Koch" and book by Journal Sentinel reporters have differing takes on 2011 battle between unions and Gov. Scott Walker.
As the dust settles on the epic battles over union rights for public workers in Wisconsin, two new major works aim to put these events into perspective. The first is “Citizen Koch,” a documentary by award-winning filmmakers Carl Deal and Tia Lessin. It aired at the Sundance Film Festival in January and the Wisconsin Film Festival this month. The second is “More Than They Bargained For,” a book by Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reporters Jason Stein and Patrick Marley, published by the University of Wisconsin Press. Both recount how newly elected Gov. Scott Walker in February 2011 “dropped the bomb” (his words) regarding his plan to largely end the collective bargaining rights of most state and local public employees. “Citizen Koch” frames …
Saturday, April 27, 2013
An analysis shows the UW system sitting on nearly half a billion dollars in extra tuition. Officials say they need it for future projects.
The University of Wisconsin system is under fire from both parties in the state Legislature after a Legislative Fiscal Bureau report showed it had $650 million in reserve — including $414 million in tuition reserves — despite annual tuition increases of more than 5 percent. Gov. Scott Walker is now considering a change to the $181 million planned for the UW system in the biennial budget, and whispers of a tuition freeze imposed by the Legislature are percolating. But UW officials say the surplus — about 25 percent of the operating budget — is in line with recommended practices, according to Madison.com, and less than Minnesota and Illinois keep. And the College Board says Wisconsin’s public-school tuition is still lower than Midwestern …
Thursday, April 25, 2013
A lawsuit filed by unions representing Madison teachers and city of Milwaukee employees over the state's collective bargaining law may be headed to the State Supreme Court.
A state appeals court is urging the Wisconsin State Supreme Court to take on an Act 10 lawsuit filed by two unions, which challenged the constitutionality of the collective bargaining limitations Gov. Scot Walker imposed on almost all public unions in 2010. The Supreme Court could take the case without waiting for an Appeals Court decision, but whether is does so is at the high court's discretion. If the Supreme Court doesn’t take the case, then the Appeals Court would need to take it. A certification filed by a panel of three judges from the 4th District Court of Appeals, asked the Wisconsin Supreme Court to take the case because “a number of public unions have filed suits against municipalities over Act 10 provisions, which have left …
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Speculation aside, Larry Sabato, a well-known political scientist lays out his argument for Gov. Scott Walker being a top-tier candidate for Republican nomination for president in 2016.
The signs that Gov. Scott Walker is laying the groundwork for a possible presidential run are clear, but still speculative. And that speculation may be intensifying as Larry Sabato, a well-known political scientist, has declared Walker a top-tier candidate for Republican nominee for president in 2016 — right up there with New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida. Walker is writing a book about his governorship, which may become a resume of sorts and is planning to address conservatives in Iowa at the invitation of Gov. Terry Branstad in May. He also was one of the key speakers at the Conservative Political Action Conference in March. And, according to Politico, “he wouldn’t commit to serving throughout a second four-…
Friday, April 19, 2013
Governor Scott Walker and state legislative leaders call for tuition freeze at the University of Wisconsin after hearing the unexpected news.
A recent financial review of the UW System found a $1 billion surplus, and state lawmakers are furious. According to a story on Wispolitics.com, a review by the Legislative Fiscal Bureau discovered the overage. UW officials told the bureau that a good chunk of that money comes from the federal government for specific purposes and another healthy slice is from gifts. Still, that leaves almost $650 million in university system coffers, some $414 million from tuition alone. GOP leaders in Madison — including Joint Finance Co-Chairs Sen. Alberta Darling (R-River Hills) and Rep. John Nygren (R-Marinette) — issued a statement shortly after they received the LFB's report, taking UW officials to task over what they said is "gross mismanagement of …
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Area state Democrats hosted a budget listening session Monday at the Racine campus of Gateway Technical College.
Most people at Monday's budget listening session with area Democrats Monday weren't pleased with the prospect of expanding vouchers. But, citizens also talked about Gov. Scott Walker's refusal of federal money for Medicaid, cuts in transportation, funding for the arts, and cuts to conservation programs. Reps. Peter Barca, Cory Mason and Tod Ohnstad were joined by state Sens. John Lehman and Bob Wirch for a three-hour budget listening session at the Racine Campus of Gateway Technical College. Bob Lang, director of the non-partisan Budget Fiscal Bureau was also on hand to record residents' remarks. During his opening remarks as the emcee of the night, Mason said he is a better representative when he hears directly from the community. Lehman …
Monday, April 15, 2013
State Republican leaders held a press conference at Steelwind Industries to criticize federal taxes and highlight their work to decrease state taxes.
Republican leaders criticized federal tax increases and touted their efforts to lower the state tax burden at a press conference in Oak Creek on the last day people have to file taxes without an extension. Speaking at Steelwind Industries, 7550 S. 10th St., state GOP Vice Chairman Brian Schimming said the federal government should take a cue from Wisconsin in addressing tax issues. "The Legislature has set out a course here where they would address these issues head-on and not hide behind them," Schimming said. State lawmakers and Gov. Scott Walker are pushing for an income tax cut worth about $300 million, though how much savings the average person would see has been debated and remains to be seen. Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald …
David Tatarowicz
5:29 pm on Saturday, May 25, 2013
@DH The Republicans have tried 37 times to repeal Obama Care and it is still with us. I have seen reports that Health Care Costs are "dropping" as a result of some of the provisions in Obamacare --- and even my good Republican and Conservative friends who were all against it at first, are now starting to find that when they take their eyes off the forest and look at the trees, they like the … more ›