Scott Walker

Cash the Check, Lawyers Benefit From Controversy at Capitol

New laws passed by Walker and GOP keep getting challenged in court.

Mayor’s MPD overtime math doesn’t add up

Statement of Alderman Bob Donovan August 12, 2013

They Like Bikes

Our political analyst finds many in Madison and Milwaukee are embracing bikes over cars.

Millions in Out-of-State Donations for Walker

For true believers with ready pocketbooks, he is America's governor.

The State’s Spin Machine

Dept of Workforce Development spins job numbers to make Walker look good. Does it matter?

Leaders Propose Granting Federal Medicaid Funds to WI Counties, Cite Ohio Model

On 48th anniversary of the start of Medicaid, county leaders point to alternative means of covering citizens

Abele Dumps County Transit Company

Public bidding process awards bus contract to for-profit company.

Gov. Walker’s Gender Gap

Men approve and women disapprove of him by large margins. Could that decide 2014 election?

The Truth About State Taxes

They were never lower than under Jim Doyle, as new data shows.

Capitol Police unlawfully arrest peaceful singers

This afternoon, the Wisconsin Capitol Police issued approximately 40 citations resulting from a peaceful gathering in the Capitol rotunda, according to observers.

Why is Anti-Abortion Lobby So Powerful?

Despite spending far less than groups like Planned Parenthood, Pro-Lifers keep winning legislative battles.

Common Council members call on state to house sex offenders elsewhere

Members of the Milwaukee Common Council sharply criticized a state program that houses dangerous sex offenders in residential neighborhoods this week, calling it “disruptive to neighborhoods” and a “foolish waste of taxpayers’ money.”

Federal Court Hands Governor Walker Third Defeat This Month

Health care lawsuit against his administration moves forward

Is Milwaukee the Next Detroit?

Analyzing this city’s key strengths and weaknesses.

Obama, Walker job approvals slip below 50 percent in Marquette Law School Poll

A new Marquette Law School Poll finds that job approval ratings for Gov. Scott Walker and President Barack Obama both have slipped below 50 percent in Wisconsin, with sharp differences evident among blocks of swing voters and across various regions in the state.

Walker Spent Almost $1 Million on Outside Counsel

He's now ending pact with Michael Best firm, which advised on Act 10 legislation.

More Jobs, Less Pay

Wisconsin sees the largest month-to-month gain in a decade but most are low-wage jobs.

Repeal of forced ultrasound bill introduced

Democratic legislators vow to continue fight

Feingold’s Progressive Front

His Progressives United group gives more than $1 million to political candidates.

Governor Ignores South Side on Residency Requirement

Walker signs law, never responds to letters from South Side politicians and organizations.

Clark Rockefeller’s Bag Job

UWM bag with severed head leads to murder rap for ex-Milwaukeean with phony name.

Victory for free speech in State Capitol

Unconstitutional Capitol access policies struck down

Will Van Hollen Stay as Attorney General?

He hasn't announced a 2014 reelection effort. He might decide to pursue other interests.

Nation’s Governors to Convene for Summer Meeting in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Governors from across the country will gather in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, August 1-4, for the National Governors Association (NGA) Summer Meeting to discuss a variety of issues facing states.

Federal Judge Temporarily Blocks Wisconsin Abortion Law

Law Would Have Closed Half of State's Abortion Clinics

Choice Schools Leave Disabled Students Behind?

As voucher schools expand to more cities, critics complain they don't serve disabled students.

Fun With Budget Numbers

An insider's take on the state budget and how it was put together.

Why We Trail America in Jobs Growth

In 21 of the last 23 months we have trailed the nation. Walker’s policies get much of the blame.

Seven Issues That Could Decide 2014 Election

Wisconsin's choice for governor will depend on where voters stand on these issues.

Statement from Rep. Barca on signing of Gov. Walker’s extreme, anti-middle class budget

Assembly Democratic Leader Peter Barca (D-Kenosha) released the following statement today after Gov. Walker signed the 2013-2015 state budget into law

Wisconsin 38th in job growth under Gov. Walker

State still dead last in the Midwest

Bradley Prizes Go to Millionaires

Roger Ailes and Mitch Daniels were among four men awarded $250,000 each by the Milwaukee foundation for "unflinching" conservatism.

Democrats call on Gov. Walker to veto budget provisions harmful to consumers, middle-class families

Vetoes would dramatically improve budget for public schools, people who need health care, middle-class taxpayers

Public School Staff Hasn’t Declined

Despite state changes, Wisconsin schools held steady last year, but are down by 5,200 positions since 2009.

Final Tally on State Budget

The numbers show some surprising priorities, with spending on health care leading the way.

GOP budget bad for Wisconsinites

Special interest giveaways create $505 million deficit at expense of children and middle-class

The Decline of Sheriff Clarke

The weirder and crankier he gets, the more unlikely his reelection.

Who Will Run Against Walker?

The list of possible candidates isn't long, as discussions at the state Democratic convention made clear.

GOP passes forced ultrasound bill

Additional unprecedented attacks on birth control move forward

Ahoy! Pirate Party Will Rally Downtown

The Wisconsin affiliate of the populist-flavored party, organized by political activist Joe Klein, will rally on June 29th.

Why Walker Opposes Obamacare

His opposition to more federal dollars for Medicaid will hurt Wisconsin, but help his campaign for president.

Why WisDOT Is Behind the Times

Auto traffic per capita has declined since 2004, other states now spend less on highways, but Wisconsin wants to keep expanding.

Does Wisconsin Really Have a “Skills Gap”?

Journal Sentinel stories continue to insist we do, but a new study says no.

Packers Field Kicks Off at Mitchell Park

The neighborhood now is the only one in America with a former NFL playing field.

The GOP’s Young Guns

Some of the newest Assembly Republicans, including four accountants, dictated the final budget.

Walker celebrates having a job while many others lose theirs

Philly Fed reserve ranks WI 49th in economic growth.

Pushing for New Black Businesses

African American Chamber of Commerce has new leaders and a less “in your face” style.

Supervisor Michael Mayo, Sr. Says Committee Action Shows Confusing Nature of New Law Limiting County Board’s Powers

Chairman of the Transportation, Public Works & Transit Committee Says Delay of Wauwatosa Water Utility Resolution Caused by Uncertainty About Board’s Role in the Wake of Enactment of Act 14

GOP Fast Tracks a Smelly Bill

The elections bill will suppress voting by average folks while giving corporations and lobbyists more clout.

Did Public TV Censor Koch Film?

After David Koch withdrew his offer to donate to public TV, a public TV group withdrew support for documentary film about him.

GOP wraps up budget panel work spending money taken from school kids on tax break for the rich

Press Release from Rep. Barca, Rep. Mason, and Rep. Ricards.

GOP Adopts Ideological Health Care Plan that Costs Taxpayers More, Insures Fewer People

Republicans attempted to disguise the issue by saying that those people could simply buy private coverage in the exchanges, but failed to note that their plan does not make that insurance affordable for them.

GOP Wants to Cut Back Taxpayer Donations

You may lose the chance to donate to causes like prostate cancer research or a fire fighters memorial if this measure is adopted.

Another Hole in the Safety Net?

Victims of domestic violence may lose health coverage because of disagreements between Gov. Walker and federal government.

Independent analysis confirms GOP flat tax plan is massive tax giveaway to the wealthy at the expense of middle-class taxpayers

A new Republican flat tax plan would pay big dividends for Wisconsin’s most well off at the expense of the middle class, according to an independent analysis of the plan released today.

Republicans Dust Off Failed ‘Trickle Down’ Experiments of the Past

New GOP Flat Tax Scheme Benefits Wealthy at the Expense of Public Schools, Middle Class

Peter Barca for Governor?

Some Democratic insiders see Assembly minority leader Peter Barca as the best hope to run against Scott Walker.

GOP introduces flurry of bills attacking women’s health

Rep. Taylor calls for focus on fixing the state budget

Why Dan Bice Should Resign

The Journal Sentinel columnist’s coverage of John Doe probe is a case study in journalistic malfeasance.

State Making Little Progress on Improving Train Shed

Gov. Walker turned down federal money that could have funded federally-mandated improvements required for downtown train station.

Rep. Taylor statement on voucher petition drive

Democratic lawmakers delivered 16,809 petitions to Governor Scott Walker and state budget committee co-chairs.

School Choice Lobby Spends $10 Million

Choice supporters donated $2.8 million to state candidates and $7 million for electioneering activities, according to nonpartisan watchdog group.

MPS’ Rufus King wins national ACT award for college and career readiness

Rufus King International School is the only high school in the nation to receive the award

Bail Bond Bill Will Create Debtor’s Prisons

Why are Republicans pushing a bill opposed almost unanimously by criminal justice professionals?

Walker food stamp plan puts mean-spirited ideology before taxpayers, common sense

Madison—Governor Scott Walker wants state taxpayers to pay an extra $16.7 million per year on his plan to take food off the tables of 31,350 low-income Wisconsinites.

Supervisor David Bowen Resolution on Badgercare Funding Concerns

Request for the State to accept Federal Healthcare Funds

Being 44th in the nation in jobs is nothing to celebrate

Republicans should spend less time spinning troubling job and wage numbers, more time trying to put people back to work

The Not-So Fiscally Conservative Governor

Scott Walker hasn’t solved the state’s longterm fiscal deficit. He may actually make it worse.

GOP Bill Gives Landlords Sweeping Rights

Landlord-tenant rights will be rewritten by this bill, and not to the benefit of tenants.

Loading Up the Budget With Policy and Pork

In violation of his campaign promise, Walker's budget has 58 policy or non-monetary items and 15 pieces of pork.

Hey Ho, Palermo’s Gotta Go

Protestors pressure UW to end relationship with Palermo's Pizza in Milwaukee, citing its labor violations.

Assembly GOP: We won’t stop WEDC from breaking the law

Republican leaders defend WEDC, tell media it is on track

Republican Finance Committee chairs rush to pump taxpayer money into broken jobs agency

Democratic call for full public and expert scrutiny of WEDC ignored by GOP leaders

How Scott Walker Got Snookered

Excerpt from new book describes how Walker was fooled by a phone call from a blogger posing as conservative billionaire David Koch.

Governor, state supt. nominate MPS’ Rufus King for national ACT award

MPS' Rufus King International School, state's high school nominee, to be recognized Monday

New audit shows continued lack of transparency, accountability at WEDC

No surprise Wisconsin is 44th in job growth, 45th in wage growth

Audit of Gov. Walker’s Jobs Agency Confirms Worst Fears

WEDC fails as Wisconsin ranks last in Midwest for Job Growth

Triumph of the Koch Brothers

An award-winning documentary and a new book both describe how public unions were crushed in Wisconsin.

Milwaukee, Racine public school students test higher than private voucher school counterparts

Republicans’ already faulty argument for voucher expansion evaporates entirely with new data

Mayor Says Streetcar is “Trojan Horse”

Streetcar will be first leg of what he hopes will be a more extensive rail system.

Myths About a New NBA Arena

In their zeal to build new, publicly-funded arena, proponents are misleading the community.

The Fight Against Wisconsin’s Iron Mine

Tribal leaders, environmentalists and local officials have united to fight a massive mine which could be toxic to a water-rich area known as “Wisconsin’s Everglades.”

Act 10 Hits Jail Employees

Counties across Wisconsin are slashing benefits for correctional employees, but some sheriffs say it's causing staffing problems.

Sue Black’s Cape Cod Cutie

The Milwaukee Wave owner and former parks director lives modestly near the Waukesha county line.

Why Republicans Are Wrong About Recalls

The bill to restrict recalls is a naked attempt by political officials to protect their jobs.

Rep. Taylor joins statewide petition drive against private voucher school expansion

“Governor Walker gave our public schools the largest cut in state history in his first budget.”

Legislators Raising Questions About State’s Tracking of Ex-Offenders

Legislative committee members have concerns about accuracy of GPS tracking system.

The Preacher’s Kid

The early years of Scott Walker, including his much discussed time at Marquette University. Excerpted from a new book.

County Executive Abele Asks the State to Restore Transit Funding

Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele testified in front of the Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee (JFC) today.

Winners and Losers

It was a good election for Scott Walker and conservatives but there were some bright spots for liberals.

Milwaukeeans Inspired by Steinbeck’s Social Message

Milwaukee-born actor and educator Paul McComas performed from John Steinbeck's work at Marquette, and local activists testified to the novelist's impact.

Wisconsin down to 44th in job creation, still dead last in Midwest

State’s average weekly wages fall 2.16 percent

Important information from Alderman Michael J. Murphy

The City of Milwaukee needs your help with an issue that's of critical importance to our future.

Attack on residency continues Governor’s “divide and conquer” strategy

Statement of Alderman Michael J. Murphy February 25, 2013

Important information from Alderman Jim Bohl

The City of Milwaukee needs your help with an issue that's of critical importance to our future.

Important information from Alderman Joe Dudzik

Important information from Alderman Nik Kovac

The City of Milwaukee needs your help with an issue that's of critical importance to our future.

Important Information from Alderman Willie C. Wade

The City of Milwaukee needs your help with an issue that's of critical importance to our future.

Who’s the Conservative for Circuit Judge?

The race between Rebecca Bradley and Janet Protasiewicz is hard to call.

Journal Sentinel Story Doesn’t Hold Water

Story slams Milwaukee water utility though it’s actually cheaper than others in the region.