May 22, 2012

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Walker leads Barrett in new poll

May 16, 2012 By

Less than three weeks before the recall general election, a new Marquette Law School Poll shows Governor Scott Walker leads Democratic challenger Tom Barrett by 6 percent among likely voters, 50-44 percent.

Marquette Law School Poll Director Charles Franklin says while the majority agree with what the governor has done, many don’t like how he did it. “We said, ‘What’s your opinion of how Governor Walker has done as governor?’ And we gave the option, ‘I like what he’s done’, 37 percent picked that; and ‘I don’t like what he’s done’, 38 percent picked that. But we also offered, ‘I like what he’s done but not how he’s done it’, 22 percent picked that.”

Just 3 percent of those surveyed are undecided. In the previous poll, taken last month, the two politicians were in a virtual dead heat. Barrett lost to Walker in the 2010 governor’s race by 5 percentage points.

Franklin says those surveyed were asked whether changes to collective bargaining should remain or be restored. “50 percent say keep as it currently is, and 43 percent say restore collective bargaining to what it was before.”

As for the lieutenant governor race, incumbent Rebecca Kleefisch holds a 47 to 41 percentage point lead over her Democratic challenger Mahlon Mitchell, president of the Professional Fire Fighters of Wisconsin. Ten percent are undecided in that race.

Looking ahead to November, President Barack Obama and his Republican challenger Mitt Romney are tied among likely voters, 46 to 46 percent. Obama led Romney by 49 to 45 percent back in April.

Voter turnout can change everything.

AUDIO: Jackie Johnson report 2:00

Filed Under: Elections, News, Top Story

Both sides weigh-in on ‘war on women’

May 15, 2012 By

Critics of Governor Walker continue to say there is a “war on women” in Wisconsin an assertion the governor denies. At the Wisconsin Women’s Health Policy Summit, we asked Nicole Safar of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin about it.  

AUDIO: Safar on recent state policies (1:17)

Supporters of the abortion access changes say requiring the patient to meet with a doctor prior to the procedure ensures the women are not being coerced to have an abortion. Supporters of changing sex education standards say it gives more local control to schools. Supporters of repealing pay equity law say it was redundant with existing statutes.  

While meeting with reporters at the state GOP convention, Lt. Governor Rebecca Kleefisch was asked whether there is a war on women.

AUDIO: Kleefisch on the type of war she is fighting (:30)

The so-called war on women is being used on the campaign trail. Walker’s Democratic opponent Tom Barrett has TV ad mentioning the aforementioend policies.

Filed Under: Elections, News, Politics & Government

Legal defense fund questions persist

May 15, 2012 By

Democrats are continuing calls for Governor Walker to offer details on a legal defense fund he’s established as part of an ongoing John Doe investigation in Milwaukee County.

Governor Walker has insisted he’s not the target of the probe, but Democratic Party of Wisconsin attorney Jeremy Levinson says that raises question about why it’s allowed then. Levinson says such funds can only exist in connection to a criminal investigation or if charges have been filed.

Government Accountability Board Director Kevin Kennedy says a legal defense fund is allowed for other reasons though and it can apply to a candidate or any of their agents. However, Kennedy declined to explain how the rules apply to the Walker fund because information can only be released if a candidate agrees to do so. Governor Walker has said the GAB advised his campaign on establishing the fund.

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, who is challenging Walker in the upcoming recall election, says the governor should make that information public. He says the GAB should be allowed to share the details of its advisory opinion on the fund’s creation.

Walker campaign spokeswoman Ciara Matthews says Democrats just think the issue “will distract voters from Governor Walker’s successful time in office.” Matthews says the requests are nothing more than “frantic political stunts.”

AUDIO: Andrew Beckett reports (1:03)

Filed Under: Elections, News

Concealed carry at the polls

May 15, 2012 By

As the recall primary election approaches, poll workers are learning about concealed carry rules. Local officials are allowed to ban hidden weapons at Wisconsin polling places. Jeri Bonavia, executive director at Wisconsin Anti-Violence Effort (WAVE), supports such a ban. “The last thing we want in our state is to go back to a time of bullets, not ballots … we really want to make sure that everyone feels like they can make their voice heard without any kind of intimidation.”

Government Accountability Board attorney Mike Haas says the fairly new concealed carry law allows communities to ban concealed firearms at the polls – regardless of whether they’re located in government buildings or privately-owned facilities. But, he says, signs must be posted at every entrance.

Bonavia’s group is dedicated to reducing gun violence, injuries and deaths. She says, with emotions running so high in the state, now is no time to bring guns to the voting booths. “It’s just not wise to have firearms in polling places.”

Local clerks had been questioning the concealed carry law, so Haas prepared a memo for the GAB. The Board will take up the matter when it meets today (Tuesday). The recall general election is June 5.

Filed Under: Elections, News

GOP says all eyes on Wisconsin

May 13, 2012 By

Walker addresses convention (IMAGE: WRN)

Republicans say the nation’s eyes are on Wisconsin, linking the June recall election with November’s Presidential election.

At the state GOP convention, Congressman Paul Ryan says what happens in the election recall will send a message to the rest of the nation. “Courage is on the ballot on the June 5th and the American idea is on the ballot on November 6th,” says the Janesville native.

Ryan defines the American idea as the government promoting equal opportunity. He says President Obama’s belief is that government’s role is to promote equal outcomes of our lives. He and other federal lawmakers applaud the “courage” of Governor Scott Walker and state lawmakers for enacting budget reforms. “We are the incubator of change,” says Jim Sensenbrenner.

Assembly Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald says when Walker and the Republicans took control of the legislature, they’re goal was to get Wisconsinites working again and fix a long time budget deficit. Fitzgerald mentions collective bargaining changes, tort reform and streamlining of wetland permitting, as accomplishments that save taxpayers money and create a better business climate.

The governor says the reforms paid off. He cites states business rankings in which Wisconsin hovered around 41st place when he took office in 2010. It was followed by a jump to 24th place in 2011 and breaking the top 20 for the first time last week. Walker says Wisconsin’s economy would be even stronger but the recall process is creating uncertainty among business owners.

The governor also touts his education reform which he says empowers schools to hire-and-fire based on merit, and give more money to stronger performing teachers.

Governor faces a June recall election against Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett who cites Wisconsin job numbers and education cuts in criticizing Walker.

Filed Under: Elections, News, Politics & Government, Uncategorized
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