Elect Barrett and Nelson
On November 2 the people of Wisconsin will choose between the Democratic ticket of Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett and State Representative Tom Nelson and the Republican ticket of Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker and Rebecca Kleefisch for Governor and Lieutenant Governor, respectively.
Scott Walker was elected to his present post in 2002. Since then he has been in continuous dispute with the County Board over his efforts to hold the tax levy to its current level. Each year he has vetoed increases in the budget passed by the Board, and each year he has been overridden. He has resisted the efforts of unions representing County employees to secure higher wages and better benefits, and has imposed layoffs and unpaid furloughs instead. Although the tax levy has increased during Walker's term of office from $218.7 million to $262.3 million (nearly 20%), County services have been understaffed and the quality of parks and County facilities have declined. Moreover, the Greater Milwaukee Committee issued a report this month that suggested that the County may need to file for bankruptcy soon.
If elected Governor, Scott Walker has proposed cutting state taxes by about $4 billion, which would necessitate massive cuts in state spending, especially in Badgercare, the state health insurance program.(1) He is opposed to building a high-speed rail system linking Milwaukee with Madison and the Twin Cities, even though the federal government has already allocated over $800 million for the project. (Walker would like to spend it on Wisconsin roads and bridges, but if Wisconsin rejects the rail line, the money will be re-assigned to other states that want it. )
Since Tom Barrett became Mayor of Milwaukee in 2004, the city tax levy has increased from $199 million to $246.8 million, an increase of about 24%, about 4% more than that of the County. But Barrett has honored agreements with city employees, and the city does not face bankruptcy. His relationship with the Common Council has been cordial overall, in marked contrast to the constant battles between Walker and the County Board. By nature, Barrett is a compromiser and conciliator, while Walker is confrontational.
As Governor, Tom Barrett would cut the state budget by $1.1 billion, primarily by reducing management staff in state agencies and abolishing the elective offices of state treasurer and secretary of state. He favors joint bargaining for health insurance by state and local government workers to secure lower premiums for the same coverage. Barrett favors the rail connection discussed above, even though he admits that it will require an annual subsidy from the state.
The Democratic nominee for Lieutenant Governor has been a state legislator for six years and is a leader in the Assembly; the Republican candidate has never held public office.
Those who want lower state taxes above all else will prefer Walker, whose main goal appears to be reducing government and taxes. But I prefer Barrett's approach, both on the issues and how he deals with a legislative body. Also, as a former congressman (1993-2003), Barrett has first-hand knowledge of how the federal government works, and would be better prepared to garner federal dollars for Wisconsin. Walker would not even accept federal dollars if offered.
In summary, I contend that the Barrett-Nelson ticket offers the better prospect of enlightened and successful leadership for the state of Wisconsin for the next four years.
-----------------------------------------------------------
(1) The Shepard Express, October 14, 2010, page 10.
Scott Walker was elected to his present post in 2002. Since then he has been in continuous dispute with the County Board over his efforts to hold the tax levy to its current level. Each year he has vetoed increases in the budget passed by the Board, and each year he has been overridden. He has resisted the efforts of unions representing County employees to secure higher wages and better benefits, and has imposed layoffs and unpaid furloughs instead. Although the tax levy has increased during Walker's term of office from $218.7 million to $262.3 million (nearly 20%), County services have been understaffed and the quality of parks and County facilities have declined. Moreover, the Greater Milwaukee Committee issued a report this month that suggested that the County may need to file for bankruptcy soon.
If elected Governor, Scott Walker has proposed cutting state taxes by about $4 billion, which would necessitate massive cuts in state spending, especially in Badgercare, the state health insurance program.(1) He is opposed to building a high-speed rail system linking Milwaukee with Madison and the Twin Cities, even though the federal government has already allocated over $800 million for the project. (Walker would like to spend it on Wisconsin roads and bridges, but if Wisconsin rejects the rail line, the money will be re-assigned to other states that want it. )
Since Tom Barrett became Mayor of Milwaukee in 2004, the city tax levy has increased from $199 million to $246.8 million, an increase of about 24%, about 4% more than that of the County. But Barrett has honored agreements with city employees, and the city does not face bankruptcy. His relationship with the Common Council has been cordial overall, in marked contrast to the constant battles between Walker and the County Board. By nature, Barrett is a compromiser and conciliator, while Walker is confrontational.
As Governor, Tom Barrett would cut the state budget by $1.1 billion, primarily by reducing management staff in state agencies and abolishing the elective offices of state treasurer and secretary of state. He favors joint bargaining for health insurance by state and local government workers to secure lower premiums for the same coverage. Barrett favors the rail connection discussed above, even though he admits that it will require an annual subsidy from the state.
The Democratic nominee for Lieutenant Governor has been a state legislator for six years and is a leader in the Assembly; the Republican candidate has never held public office.
Those who want lower state taxes above all else will prefer Walker, whose main goal appears to be reducing government and taxes. But I prefer Barrett's approach, both on the issues and how he deals with a legislative body. Also, as a former congressman (1993-2003), Barrett has first-hand knowledge of how the federal government works, and would be better prepared to garner federal dollars for Wisconsin. Walker would not even accept federal dollars if offered.
In summary, I contend that the Barrett-Nelson ticket offers the better prospect of enlightened and successful leadership for the state of Wisconsin for the next four years.
-----------------------------------------------------------
(1) The Shepard Express, October 14, 2010, page 10.
posted by Gerald S Glazer at 3:29 PM
3 comments
