Friday, February 18, 2011

Walker Has Played Fast And Loose With Fiscal Matters, Facts Before

I've posted the facts by non-partisan analysts about Wisconsin's year-end budget surplus, and how Scott Walker both ignored those facts and created new ones to justify a political attack on union bargaining.

Let's remember how fast and loose Walker played with facts when he cost the state manufacturing and construction jobs by turning back $900 million in federal rail funding.

Details here.

And here.

He said the money could be used for highways - - false - - and that there was precedent in Wisconsin for a Governor switching federal rail money for highways - - not the way Walker explained it.

His goal was to make an anti-federal, anti-Barack Obama political statement to please his right-wing, GOP base.

And to please the highway-builders, a key special interest group to whom he has already promised $1.7 billion in Zoo Interchange widening and rebuilding money - - even though the state is in a fiscal crisis, says Walker, citing his new facts.

Which is exactly what he is doing with the budget repair bill - -playing politics by pleasing his base,  and punishing those in the opposition by manipulating data.

3 comments:

troyfreund said...

Simple, straight-forward and true. Thank you.
Troy

Polly Wonky said...

Simply put, as a union loyal school teacher, who showed up to work each day this week...I find it unpalatable that Gov. Walker would allow police/troopers and fire unions to be exempt from the collective bargaining-busting law. We have no right to strike, and now have potentially lost collective bargaining rights over things such as student contact numbers or prep minutes to do our jobs. I have no problem taking my turn at the proverbial spanking machine, in terms of benefits, but to then take away my right to adequately bargain a salary based on a CPI imposed limit....We have made many concessions in West Allis, already. So many, that in order to keep my self respect and my ideals, I will leave the teaching profession. This is a sad day.

Anonymous said...

Cathi - on your way out don't let the door hit ya, where the good lord split ya.

There will no lack of applicants to take your position.

And good luck finding an equally lucrative job in the private sector.