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Scott Walker on Government Reform
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Wisconsin "citizen filibuster" gave birth to Occupy movement
On Feb. 15, the longest budget hearing in the history of the State Legislature would soon claim a more ignominious place in history--as the moment that gave birth to the "Occupy" movement.Taking testimony from the public, opponents of Act 10 called
a "citizen's filibuster." Using social media, the unions put out a call for people to come to the capitol and testify. They turned out more people than had ever been seen at a bill hearing.
The Democrats moved to a new hearing room and continued to
hear "testimony" throughout the night and into the morning. And once the protesters had spent one night in the capitol, they figured they could do it again the next night, and the next. They never left. The occupation had begun.
On Feb. 16, more people
showed up and joined the camp that was forming in the rotunda. The ranks of the occupiers grew with each passing day. While protesters chanted "Kill the bill!" outside my office, I remarked to reporters gathered inside, "Everyone has a right to be heard.
Source: Unintimidated, by Scott Walker, p. 65-6
, Nov 18, 2013
Prevent voter fraud: require voter ID at polls
We passed legislation to prevent voter fraud by requiring voters to show photo identifications at the polls--a bill Republicans had worked to pass since 2003. As I signed the bill into law, the protesters chanted "Shame!"
and "Recall Walker!" outside my office. They weren't there for the voter ID bill; they were the same union protesters who followed me everywhere to protest Act 10.
Source: Unintimidated, by Scott Walker, p.215
, Nov 18, 2013
Recall election rejected big government interests & spending
On June 5th, voters in Wisconsin were asked to choose between going backwards to the days of double-digit tax increases, billion dollar budget deficits and record job losses.Or moving forward with reforms that lowered the tax burden, balanced the
budget and helped small businesses create more jobs.
On June 5th, voters in my swing state were asked to decide if they wanted elected officials who measure success by how many people are dependent on the government.
Or if they wanted leaders who
believe success is measured by how many people are not dependent on the government, because they control their own destiny in the private sector.
On June 5th, voters in Wisconsin got to determine who was in charge--was it
the big government special interests in Washington? Or the hard-working tax payers of our state?
The good news is that--on June 5th--the hard-working taxpayers won.
Source: 2012 Republican National Convention speech
, Aug 28, 2012
Cutting the cost of government enables us to save jobs
The Legislature helped us save 1,500 middle-class jobs by moving forward this week with the budget repair. The state will now be able to realize $30 million in savings to balance the budget and allow
1,500 state employees to keep their jobs. The reforms contained in this legislation, which require modest health care and pension contributions from all public employees, will help put Wisconsin on a path to fiscal sustainability.
Source: 2011 gubernatorial press release, "1500 jobs"
, Mar 11, 2011
End tax on HSAs; reduce frivolous lawsuits
The first act I signed as governor eliminated the taxes on health savings accounts, making health care more affordable for small business owners and family farmers. This change was a long time coming for Wisconsin and brings us into line with the rest of
the nation. Our second act reduced frivolous lawsuits in Wisconsin. The litigation environment in a state is one of the key drivers for business. Now, we've turned the page on lawsuit reform and offer one more sign that Wisconsin is open for business.
Source: 2011 Wisconsin State of the State Address
, Feb 1, 2011
Page last updated: Mar 24, 2016