Scott Walker

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.

Richest Public Pensions in State History

Here are the backdrop payments received by 1,712 county employees. 255 collected anywhere from $255,000 to $1 million -- plus a monthly pension.

State’s Sex Offender Tracking System Often Fails

GPS monitoring system often goes haywire, causing problems and wasting police resources. Part I of a series.

Rent-To-Own Industry Wants Less Disclosure

Seeks to overturn law making it disclose interests rates. Industry supported Gov. Walker, who backs the change.

First budget day showcases a Tale of Two Budgets

Democratic JFC members note the Walker budget repeats the mistakes of the last budget that left Wisconsin 44th in the nation in job creation.

Thousands Could Lose Food Stamps Under Walker Proposal

Job training requirements could mean more hunger in Milwaukee, advocate predicts.

Wisconsin a Tax Heaven for Businesses

The evidence suggests taxes are low on businesses, and have been for many years.

Yes, End the Residency Requirement

But in return the legislature must give Milwaukee the powers it needs to create a great city.

State Department Has Not-So-Open Records

Department of Administration takes a long time to respond to records requests, especially from journalists.

Rep. Goyke Statement on Governor Walker Signing Mining Bill

State Representative Evan Goyke (D-Milwaukee) released the following statement in response to Governor Scott Walker signing the controversial mining bill, Senate Bill 1.

Democrats in Disarray

The firing of its state spokesperson is just another sign the party has lost its way.

New Front Door for Lakefront

Dramatic plan moves freeway ramps and creates a grand boulevard that connects downtown and the lakefront.

Supervisor Mayo Sounds Alarm on Transit Funding

Supervisor Michael Mayo, Sr., District 7, is calling on Milwaukee County residents to contact their state representatives and senators to demand changes to the way Milwaukee County Transit services are funded in the state budget.

The World According to Tim Sullivan

The business leader's unproven idea of a “skills gap” is misleading state policymakers.

Mystery Around Dennis Smith Deepens

Departure of state health department secretary leaves many questions unanswered -- and lots of secrecy.

Double-Decker Freeway For Milwaukee?

Rising 40 feet high, it could be destructive to the Story Hill neighborhood.

Why We Need the Liberal Arts

Gov. Walker’s plan pushing colleges to prepare students for the current job market will actually hurt our economy.

How Sand Mines Pollute

Wisconsin is the leading supplier of sand for oil and gas fracking. But nearly one-fifth of sand mines have environmental violations.

Statement from Rep. Barca on the conclusion of the John Doe investigation

Assembly Democratic Leader Peter Barca (D-Kenosha) released the following statement today after the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s office announced the conclusion of the John Doe criminal investigation surrounding Gov. Walker and many of his former aides.

VISIT Milwaukee to Present Lamplighter Award to Milwaukee Downtown BID #21

Annual Meeting on March 5th also features Bill Davidson with preview of the Harley-Davidson 110th Anniversary

Super Scott

Democrats continue to underestimate Walker, even as he radically transforms the state.

Name MPS School After Anti-Nazi Hero?

A push to honor Milwaukeean Mildred Fish Harnack, the only American women resistance member executed by Hitler.

Voucher Madness

Gov. Walker wants lots more choice schools, except in Republican districts. Why?

South Side Leaders Blast Residency Proposal

Walker proposal to end residency requirement will hurt city's economy, they charge.

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

Governor Walker’s state budget proposal to end residency requirements for municipalities statewide is one of the most serious and direct attacks on local control and local governance in the history of the State of Wisconsin.

The Dennis Smith “Affair”

State health secretary resigns after legal motions filed by accused murderer claiming his wife had affair with Smith.

Bigger State Pie, But Smaller Slice for Bikes

Gov. Walker grabs $38 million in federal money meant for bikes to hike his highways budget even higher.

Chairwoman Dimitrijevic Statement on Governor’s Budget

The state budget presented by Governor Scott Walker includes a number of positive items. We are excited with the grant funding for the VETransfer program, located in Milwaukee, which supports veteran entrepreneurs.

Governor Walker’s budget proposals prompt fresh concerns for Milwaukee

Statement of Common Council President Willie L. Hines, Jr. February 21, 2013

Rep. Goyke Statement on the Governor’s 2013 Budget Address

State Representative Evan Goyke (D-Milwaukee) released the following statement in response to Governor Scott Walker’s 2013 budget address on Wednesday

How to Crush Milwaukee

Ending the residency requirement will deal a devastating blow to Milwaukee’s property tax base.

Gov. Walker’s budget: No middle ground, no focus on the middle class

Statement from Rep. Barca on governor’s troubling budget plan

Budget Response: Walker’s Medicaid Plan Immorally Places Politics Above the Health Security of Wisconsin Citizens

In anticipation of Governor Walker’s budget address this evening, when he will formally announce his plan to turn down billions in health care reform dollars earmarked for Wisconsin, Citizen Action of Wisconsin Executive Director Robert Kraig made the following statement

Citizens Call on Gov. Walker to Accept Billions of Federal Dollars to Strengthen BadgerCare

State Sen. Dave Hansen, local residents waiting for healthcare coverage speak out.

Walker’s Massive Borrowing Scheme

His increase in road spending and refusal to increase gas tax could leave state paying 25% of transportation budget to debt service.

Gov. Walker shortchanges public education, focuses on helping unaccountable private voucher schools

Statement from Rep. Barca on governor’s troubling budget proposals for Wisconsin schools

New State Law Conceals Nursing Home Violations

Tort reform puts residents at risk, and makes criminal prosecutions of abuse and neglect more difficult, critics say.

Gov. Walker chooses right-wing extremism over Wisconsin’s health

Rep. Barca calls on Republican legislators to do the right thing on health care

Initial Reaction to Walker Decision to Turn Down Medicaid Money

At a news conference in Madison this afternoon Governor Scott Walker announced his plans to turn down billions of dollars in new federal Medicaid money to fill the holes in Wisconsin’s BadgerCare program.

Chairwoman Dimitrijevic Applauds Governor Walker’s Support of the Family Justice Center

Center Would Serve Many of Milwaukee County’s Most Vulnerable

High Court Race May Cost Millions

Roggensack's reelection effort will determine if Supreme Court retains a conservative majority. Millions could be spent on both sides.

A Fiscal Shell Game

Legislators will likely transfer $500 million from the general fund to the transportation fund, yet bicycle funding will still get cut.

Republican Plan to Steal Elections

Priebus and others push strategies to win presidency with a minority of votes.

The Money Behind the Mining Bill

Is it $15 million in campaign contributions? The tally is inexact, but it's way more than environmentalists donate.

County Executive Abele Applauds Gov. Walker’s Commitment to Mental Health

Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele applauds Governor Scott Walker’s announcement today of a $29 million investment in mental health programs and services.

Walker Injects False Issue in Medicaid Decision

In response to growing pressure to accept billions of dollars in federal Medicaid money to fill the holes in BadgerCare, and guarantee that over 170,000 Wisconsinites have access to the secure health care they need to prosper and succeed, Governor Walker has been injected a false reason for not taking the money.

Plan to Strengthen BadgerCare Unveiled at State Capitol

Provides another stepping stone to rebuilding Wisconsin’s middle-class

County Lobbyists Asleep on the Job?

They should be working to get more state funding. But they’re too busy protecting the county board.

Every Politician in Town

Well, not quite, but the City's Birthday Party had a big turnout of politicians and insiders.

New Marriott Hotel Still Controversial?

The hotel got a lot of state WHEDA money that was supposed to target Milwaukee's central city job centers. Still, the hotel is a boost for downtown.

JOBS NOW!

Democrats debut jobs package as exciting first step this session toward rebuilding Wisconsin’s middle class

Statement from Rep. Barca on the appointment of Reed Hall as permanent WEDC CEO

Assembly Democratic Leader Peter Barca (D-Kenosha), a board member of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), released the following statement today after Gov. Walker announced his appointment of interim CEO Reed Hall as the permanent CEO of WEDC.

Instead of lifting residency requirement, let’s expand school choice and fix the “funding flaw”

As a city leader, I recognize how critically important it is that we have a city that is not only attractive, but that is also a place where people truly want to live.

The Incomplete Story

How the Journal Sentinel slants the story on venture capital -- and on downsizing the county board.

The Secret Lobbyists

Lobbyists must register to lobby the legislature but can work in secret to get the big money from government contracts. Why?

Time for a state budget focused on middle-class families

Reps. Barca, Pasch release statements on middle-class tax cuts, investments in core middle-class priorities

Act 10 Could Still Be in Trouble

Federal appeals court decision looks shaky, and state lawyers made mistakes defending anti-union law.

What’s Stopping Tougher Drunk Driving Laws

The cost of enforcement has been estimated at $200 million annually, but some scoff at this figure.

A Primer on Transportation Funding

Want to get wonky with me? Here's a rundown of how the government bicycle programs actually work.

Wisconsin Mental Health Agencies Will Lose Out on Millions if Walker Rejects Medicaid Dollars

At a press conference Thursday morning health advocates highlighted a crisis fast approaching.

Bill to Cut Supervisor Pay Likely

Despite Republican delays and opposition by the board, the bill has a good chance of passage.

Rep. Barca’s State of the State Response: Where is the urgency on jobs?

Assembly Democratic Leader Peter Barca (D-Kenosha) delivered his response to Governor Walker's State of the State Address tonight.

Democratic legislative leaders to deliver official response to Gov. Walker’s State of the State Address

Senate Democratic Leader Chris Larson (D-Milwaukee) and Assembly Democratic Leader Peter Barca (D-Kenosha) will deliver the official response to Gov. Walker's State of the State Address tomorrow night following the governor's speech.

Wisconsin Business Taxes Will Increase Millions if Walker Rejects Medicaid Dollars

On a Media Call Friday morning health advocates discussed new research that shows that Wisconsin businesses will pay $120 million more in federal taxes if Governor Scott Walker rejects increased federal Medicaid money offered by the Affordable Care Act, the national health care reform law.

Robin Hood in Reverse

Republicans’ tax plan assures that Wisconsin follows other states in the race to the bottom.

Focus bipartisan energy on putting people back to work

Assembly Democratic Leader Peter Barca issues post-rules session statement.

The Rising Cost of State’s Outside Contractors

Wisconsin spent more on outside contractors than any year since 2004.