Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker makes an ambitious announcement to members of Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce.
“If you elected me as your next governor, I pledge to you here today … by the end of my first term we will create 250,000 new jobs in this state and 10,000 new businesses by the end of that first term.”
Walker emphasises his simple guide for governing: Only spend what you have; smaller government is better government; and people create jobs, not government.
Walker promises to spend taxpayer dollars as if it were his own money. While all candidates promise more jobs, Walker believes he’s got the advantage.
“The strategy we outline today is about getting government out of the way. Lowering the tax burden, lowering the litigation burden, lowering the regulatory burden … so employers in the state could put more people back to work.”
Walker told reporters that he doesn’t like the Clean Energy Jobs Act – or the global warming bill – saying it would lose thousands of jobs.
As for high speed passenger rail? Walker says if elected governor, he would need to know the actual cost of the project, including operating costs, after federal funds run out, and which projects will suffer if money is taken from the transportation fund. If his questions about additional expenses aren’t answered, Walker wouldn’t support the project.
NOTE: Democrat Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett also spoke to the crowd. Former Republican Congressman Mark Neumann was invited but couldn’t make it.
Jackie Johnson report 1:33