Sunday, January 29, 2012

Scott Walker Once Had An Ethics Reform Plan

His undated, detailed ethics reform plan appears to have been rolled out during his short-lived run for the 2006 GOP gubernatorial nomination, is still posted on a Friends of Scott Walker campaign website and sure looks ironic now in light of the John Doe probe charges and disclosures. (full text of the Walker plan is below).

This text taken from another posting on Walker's campaign website attributed to a Republican Party chairman introducing Walker at a 2010 campaign speech should make Walker partisans flinch, too:

"Then, after a lot of persuasion and a lot of guts, Scott decided to get into the race for Milwaukee County executive in 2002 on a platform of fiscal conservatism, and returning honesty and integrity to the office of the county executive."

The theft and misconduct charges against former Walker county staffers and the disclosure by John Doe prosecutors of a secret email system for political operatives on set up in the fall of 2009 by a long-time Walker associate and county staffer on county property - - (criminal complaints, here) - - leaves one wondering what the heck happened to this belief that had Walker to announce his big, bold ethics reform plan:

"The culture of government has destroyed the integrity and the idea of public service," said Walker. "My plan seeks to restore the public trust, and instill the confidence that our elected leaders are working for the people," Walker added.

And were these ethics reform pledges, among others, valid during the next four years that Walker served as County Executive, and during the campaign for Governor he ran and won in 2010?

All appointed employees will be prohibited from organizing or participating in fundraising for Scott Walker's campaign committee. (100 Day Agenda and Walker's current policy in county government)
Scott Walker will not accept any campaign contributions (from any source) from the time he takes office (January 3, 2007) until the state budget is signed into law. (100 Day Agenda)
Scott Walker will call on Legislative leaders to enact a similar policy for all elected state officials. (100 Day Agenda)
Scott Walker will push legislation that prohibits contributions to his campaign from firms that are seeking to do business with the state while the contracts are being bid and awarded. (Walker's current policy in county government)
Scott Walker will require every member of his administration to attend ethics training every two years to ensure that all executive staff members are aware of ethics standards and laws.

Ethics Reform Plan

Walker: Proposes Wisconsin Ethics System Overhaul
Citing government ethics as one of the greatest challenges to Wisconsin's democracy, Milwaukee County Executive and Candidate for Governor Scott Walker today released his comprehensive ethics reform plan. Walker's plan calls for a major overhaul of Wisconsin's failing system to restore integrity to our state's government.

"During my 100-Day agenda tour I outlined ethical reforms that could be implemented without legislation," said Walker. "Today's plan is far more comprehensive and will not only require the assistance of the legislature, but also the people of Wisconsin to step forward to make it happen."

Key highlights of the Walker ethics reform plan include:

Prohibit political campaign contributions until the state budget is signed into law
Five year ban on paid lobbying of the agency an individual worked in for all
members of the administration, Legislature and legislative staff
Term limits on all state offices of no more than 12 years
- 3 terms for Governor, Treasurer, Secretary of State, and Attorney General
- 3 terms for State Senate
- 6 terms for State Assembly
Return to a part-time legislature

"The culture of government has destroyed the integrity and the idea of public service," said Walker. "My plan seeks to restore the public trust, and instill the confidence that our elected leaders are working for the people," Walker added.
Walker cited the revolving door of professional politician to professional lobbyist and the undue influence of campaign cash as one of the most glaring problems in government today.

While campaigning around Wisconsin, Scott makes it a point to listen to people's thoughts on the future direction of our great state.

Wisconsin is one of 11 states that is considered to have a truly "full-time" legislature, and one of only 6 states that is always "in session" for the full two-year cycle. Most states have a defined time period for the regular legislative session, and these sessions are always shorter than two years. Walker conceded that many of these proposals may not be received warmly in Madison. However, he invites everyone to listen to the people and offer their own proposals to restore the integrity of Wisconsin's government.

"Re-instilling the people's trust in our public institutions will be a top priority for my
administration," said Walker. "I believe this plan begins this process and I look forward to discussing my proposals in the coming months of this campaign."
REFORM PLAN

All appointed employees will be prohibited from contributing to Scott Walker's campaign committee. (100 Day Agenda and Walker's current policy in county government)
All appointed employees will be prohibited from organizing or participating in fundraising for Scott Walker's campaign committee. (100 Day Agenda and Walker's current policy in county government)
Scott Walker will not accept any campaign contributions (from any source) from the time he takes office (January 3, 2007) until the state budget is signed into law. (100 Day Agenda)
Scott Walker will call on Legislative leaders to enact a similar policy for all elected state officials. (100 Day Agenda)
Scott Walker will push legislation that prohibits contributions to his campaign from firms that are seeking to do business with the state while the contracts are being bid and awarded. (Walker's current policy in county government)
Scott Walker will require every member of his administration to attend ethics training every two years to ensure that all executive staff members are aware of ethics standards and laws
Scott Walker proposes a five year ban on paid lobbying of the agency they worked in for all members of the administration, Legislature and legislative staff.
Scott Walker will push legislation to combine the State Elections Board and the State Ethics Board
Scott Walker will call for legislation to prohibit state candidates from accepting political contributions from the owners, operators or managers of casinos and racetracks. (Walker proposed similar legislation in 1997 and 1999)
Scott Walker will propose legislation to prohibit closed caucus meetings and to require that all votes in Legislative committees take place in public.
Scott Walker will push for term limits on all state offices of no more than 12 years (3 terms for Governor, other constitutional officers and State Senate and 6 for State Assembly).
Scott Walker will push for a return to a part-time Legislature.
Scott Walker will propose legislation to prohibit the transfer of funds from federal campaign accounts to state campaign accounts.