Governor Walker Further Opens Door for Cronyism, Corruption in Wisconsin
Republican Civil Service Law Puts Political Interests over Public Interest
MADISON – Today Assembly Democratic Leader Peter Barca (D-Kenosha) released the following statement on Governor Walker signing into law a bill that guts Wisconsin’s civil service system:
“By dismantling our state’s civil service system, Governor Walker and legislative Republicans are kicking down the door for cronyism and corruption in Wisconsin.
“The civil service system was founded on the idea that state employees should serve the public interest, not partisan political interests. Republicans have made it clear they will stop at nothing to consolidate their own power while rewarding their cronies with taxpayer-funded jobs.
“Early in his administration Governor Walker was caught in a couple prominent situations where he placed allies in key positions with thin to no qualifications. This law will make it easier to more broadly do this unencumbered by the rules.
“Additionally, Walker used this approach at WEDC, where he eliminated civil service for hiring staff and we saw continuous problems with turnover and ethically questionable conduct with potential pay to play and taxpayer funds at risk, yet Republicans want to make that the model for our entire state. This is truly a dark day for Wisconsin’s proud heritage of clean, open and transparent government.”
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
