One Wisconsin Now
Press Release

GOP Pushing to Eliminate State Fiscal Watchdog As Gov. Scott Walker Goes on Election Year Spending Spree

Independently Elected Fiscal Watchdog Could be Lost

By - Mar 27th, 2018 02:01 pm
Governor Scott Walker. Photo by Jeramey Jannene.

Governor Scott Walker. Photo by Jeramey Jannene.

MADISON, Wis. — A proposal before voters on April 3 would, if approved, eliminate the state’s fiscal watchdog, the Office of the State Treasurer. One Wisconsin Now Executive Director Scot Ross said recent analyses showing Gov. Scott Walker’s and the legislative Republicans’ election year spending spree leaving the state budget balance at almost zero shows the office is needed more than ever.

“Having an independently elected fiscal watchdog is a critical check on Gov. Walker and the Republicans in control of the legislature whose election year spending spree is projected to take the state budget balance down to almost zero,” commented Ross. “If Republicans get their way and are able to completely eliminate the Office of State Treasurer, that would go away.

The Office of the State Treasurer was created by the Wisconsin State Constitution. The treasurer is independently elected statewide at the same time as gubernatorial elections are held.

In recent years, Gov. Walker and Republicans in control of the state legislature have sought to weaken the office and transfer its functions to state agencies overseen by political appointees. But they have upped the ante this year, putting a measure on the April 3 election ballot that would, if approved by voters, entirely eliminate the Treasurer’s office by amending the Wisconsin Constitution.

One Wisconsin Now is a statewide communications network specializing in effective earned media and online organizing to advance progressive leadership and values.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.

Mentioned in This Press Release

Organizations:

Recent Press Releases by One Wisconsin Now

Dan Kelly’s Opinion: It’s OK to Lie in Judicial Campaigns

State Supreme Court Candidate Co-Authored Column Opposing Efforts to Clean Up Court Campaigns

Campaign Cash Keeps Flowing to WILL’s Shill Dan Kelly

Over $14,000 from Board Members of Right-Wing Legal Group to State Court Justice’s Campaign

Right-Wing Group That Wants to Criminalize Abortion Backs Dan Kelly State Supreme Court Campaign

Dan Kelly Supporters Want Court Action to Allow Enforcement of Abortion Ban Dating to 19th Century

Leave a Reply

You must be an Urban Milwaukee member to leave a comment. Membership, which includes a host of perks, including an ad-free website, tickets to marquee events like Summerfest, the Wisconsin State Fair and the Florentine Opera, a better photo browser and access to members-only, behind-the-scenes tours, starts at $9/month. Learn more.

Join now and cancel anytime.

If you are an existing member, sign-in to leave a comment.

Have questions? Need to report an error? Contact Us