The governor and legislative leaders declined to say whether the governor himself was behind the original measure. A review by the Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism shows similarities between recent records request denials from the governor’s office and the state Department of Administration and changes inserted in the budget Thursday by Republican leaders — similarities that raise questions about whether Walker himself was involved in the budget proposal.
Tag: Scott Walker
Posted inEconomy, Government, Scott Walker's Wisconsin
Most northern counties left behind by Gov. Scott Walker’s jobs agency
While cities like Madison, Waukesha and Green Bay thrive economically, northern Wisconsin counties have been left behind in the state’s economic development efforts. Local economic development leaders share stories of being ineligible for economic development programs brought by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, a quasi-governmental agency created in 2011 by Republican Gov. Scott Walker. Northern counties are also receiving proportionally less help from the WEDC, with many local leaders saying they are ineligible or unable to meet basic requirements for certain programs or incentives.
Posted inEnvironment, Government, Scott Walker's Wisconsin, Water Watch Wisconsin
Layoffs at Wisconsin DNR would trigger terminations of limited-term employees
A state law requires that before the DNR can lay off a single permanent staffer, it must let go any limited-term employees or probationary employees with the same job classification. According to numbers DNR furnished the Legislative Fiscal Bureau in early May, the science bureau has 95 LTEs.
Posted inMoney & Politics Column, Scott Walker's Wisconsin
Spring cleaning turns up news nuggets ranging from guns to schnapps
The columnist is cleaning off his desk, emptying his inbox. Here are a few unused news nuggets that seem a shame to throw away.
Posted inMoney & Politics Column, Scott Walker's Wisconsin
Have John Doe probes trashed rule of law in Wisconsin?
Conservative commentators have embraced the narrative put forth by critics of the two John Doe probes involving Walker and others. Wisconsin is being defamed as a place where unethical law enforcers driven by naked political partisanship have run amok.
Posted inGovernment, Health & Welfare, Scott Walker's Wisconsin
Wisconsin FoodShare fraud crackdown questioned
In 2011, Walker’s first year as governor, 102 people were suspended from the FoodShare program for violating program rules, according to DHS. That number has increased each year, to 1,184 in 2014.
Posted inMoney & Politics Column, Scott Walker's Wisconsin
Groups let Gov. Scott Walker’s backers give unlimited sums
Walker’s committee, Our American Revival, can raise and spend unlimited sums. At least two donors have given Walker $100,000 or more, according to press accounts. Had they so desired, these donors could have given $100 million.
Posted inEnvironment, Government, Scott Walker's Wisconsin
Wisconsin DNR mulls dissolving science bureau
Internal correspondence obtained by the Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism confirms discussions about the possible dismantling of the bureau and a reorganization that would move researchers into other agency divisions.
Critics, both inside and outside the agency, say such a reorganization would rob the state of impartial science that should guide critical natural resource management decisions.
Posted inEducation, Government, Scott Walker's Wisconsin
Board overseeing Wisconsin’s for-profit schools fights for its life
With the Wisconsin Educational Approval Board on the chopping block in Gov. Scott Walker’s budget, EAB Executive Secretary David Dies fears the for-profit schools it oversees will ramp up practices that could harm students.
Posted inGovernment, Health & Welfare, Scott Walker's Wisconsin
Gov. Scott Walker’s budget would shake up long-term care programs; disabilities advocates concerned
Gov. Scott Walker is proposing sweeping changes to the state’s long-term care programs for the elderly and disabled, but the lack of detail has advocates concerned.
Posted inMoney & Politics Column, Scott Walker's Wisconsin
Scott Walker budget bill is rife with non-fiscal policy items
Some of Walker’s proposals appear to be policy changes with little or no fiscal impact. Wisconsin governors and lawmakers from both parties have often injected these into the budget. Walker, as a candidate for governor in 2010, made an unequivocal pledge to “strip policy and pork projects from the state budget.” By his first budget, this promise was labeled “broken.”
Posted inOpinion, Scott Walker's Wisconsin
Your Right to Know: Don’t let the UW hide research records
This blanket exemption would spare the UW from needing a good reason to deny access to these records, as current law requires. Instead, universities could categorically spurn inquiries from citizens, media and even lawmakers looking into controversial research, potential threats to public safety, conflicts of interest or how tax dollars are spent.