Falk: Walker’s Values Are Not Wisconsin’s Values

The almost-certain upcoming recall election for governor will be a chance for Wisconsinites to re-assert what their values are when it comes to government, Democratic candidate Kathleen Falk said Wednesday at Marquette University Law School.

That, in her view, means the election will lead to the defeat of Gov. Scott Walker, the Republican who “has so torn this state apart and exercised such an extreme far right agenda.” The values that underlie Walker’s actions since he became “aren’t our values,” Falk told Mike Gousha during an “On the Issues” session at Eckstein Hall. The event can be viewed by clicking here.

The recall election could be coming quickly, depending on how soon the state’s Government Accountability Board acts, and the Democratic field has not yet fully taken shape. But Falk has drawn the most support so far of those Democrats who say they intend to run.

The most highly publicized part of Falk’s campaign has been her pledge to veto any state budget bill that does not restore the collective bargaining powers of public employee unions that were taken away last year in action spurred by Walker. Her pledge earned her endorsements from major unions but criticism on the editorial pages of some state newspapers.

Falk told Gousha and the audience that it wouldn’t be effective to introduce a bill to reverse last year’s action that stripped public unions of almost their powers. Calling a special session of the Legislature wouldn’t work either. Republicans are very likely to remain in control of at least the Assembly and they would block any action by those routes.

That makes taking a firm stand to veto the budget unless it restores union powers the only realistic path she could take as governor, she said.

“The only bill that has to pass every two years – there is only one – is the budget bill,” Falk said. “That is why Gov. Walker eliminated collective bargaining by the budget bill. That’s how you have to restore it. And if you are not willing to go to the mat and say truthfully how you will do it . . . then you are not honoring the million people who signed that petition (to recall Walker) and it isn’t being open and honest. I thought campaigns were about telling people what you’re going to do and how you’re going to do it.”

Gousha asked her whether such a stand could be bring deadlock over the budget. “Those Assembly Republicans will see that the vision they had has been rejected by Wisconsin citizens, and I believe they will be in a more compromising mood, and that is what a budget bill is about,” Falk said.

Falk said she was successful as Dane County executive in running a government that was frugal with money and willing to change as financial circumstances changed. She said she worked well with people of all political views and was able to get unions representing Dane County workers to make concessions by convincing of them of the need for “shared sacrifice.”

She emphasized her personal story, including her childhood living in Milwaukee and Waukesha County, and referred to herself several times as “the granddaughter of a bus driver from Milwaukee.”

Gousha said at the end of the conversation that the Law School policy is not to take political sides and major candidates for major offices from both parties have been invited to “On the Issues” sessions. He said Walker has had an open invitation but has not accepted the offer since taking office 14 months ago.

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Obama, Santorum Show Strengths in New Round of Law School Poll Results

New results from the Marquette Law School Poll show Wisconsin voters currently favor President Barack Obama over each of the Republicans seeking the presidential nomination, while former Senator Rick Santorum has moved into the lead as the presidential choice among the state’s Republicans.

The poll finds that 72% of those who responded had heard or read about the “John Doe” investigation of former aides of Governor Scott Walker while he was Milwaukee County executive. Fifty-two percent of those who were aware of the investigation called it “something really serious” while 40 percent said it is “just more politics.”

The results, released Tuesday, are from the second round of the Law School’s year-long polling project, the largest project of its kind in Wisconsin history. The new results include a decline from January in the percent of voters giving favorable rating to Walker and head-to-head results for possible US Senate match-ups this year. They also shed light on public sentiment about Wisconsin’s job climate and the proposed iron ore mine in northern Wisconsin.

Full results can be found by clicking here . Professor Charles Franklin, director of the poll and visiting professor of law and public policy at Marquette Law School, will talk about the result with Mike Gousha, distinguished fellow in law and public policy, in a session open to the public at 12:15 p.m. today at Eckstein Hall. The session will be shown live at law.marquette.edu and will be available for watching later on the Web page for the Law School poll.

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Brace Yourself for a Year of Negativity in Politics, Kind Warns

Wisconsin needs someone to bring the state together politically, Congressman Ron Kind said Tuesday, but he stuck by his decision not to offer himself as that person when it comes to running for governor in the recall election expected in the next few months.

“I’ve got a full plate now,” Kind told Mike Gousha, the Law School’s distinguished fellow in law and public policy, at an “On the Issues” session in Eckstein Hall. Kind cited his role on the House Ways and Means Committee, which plays a central role in dealing with issues such as spending and health care, as well as the needs of his family, including two teenage boys.

Kind, a Democrat who represents much of western Wisconsin in the House of Representatives, often has been mentioned as a possible candidate for governor or senator, but has declined to seek those offices.

“What’s desperately needed in our state is some reconciliation,” Kind said, criticizing the way Republican Governor Scott Walker pushed through changes in the state budget and in state law. He called Walker’s approach “unfortunate” and said, “It certainly wasn’t the Wisconsin way” which aims to bring people together.

“I don’t know what it is going to take to restore some comity to our political process,” Kind said.

Kind is often labeled a centrist. He told Gousha that political life, both in Washington and in Madison, has become harder for those in the middle because “more radical voices” have been empowered through changes such as spending by special interests and primary election campaigns in which those further to the left or right have had the upper hand in each party.

Kind discussed a range of major policy issues, including health policy, taxes and spending, and American involvement in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Among those in the audience: Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, a friend and often times ally of Kind.

Looking to the coming elections in Wisconsin, including a presidential contest, Senate contest, legislative races, and the expected recall of the governor, Kind said there is going to be a lot of negativity. “We need to brace ourselves,” he said. “This is going to be a pretty ugly political year.”

A video recording of the session can be viewed by clicking here.

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