Governor-elect Scott Walker is asking the current administration to stop work on several issues. In a letter sent to the Department of Administration, Walker requests that current Governor Jim Doyle put a halt to work in a number of areas during his final months in office.
Walker wants DOA to stop implementation of Federal Health Care reforms, suspend negotiations for state employee contracts, and to not finalize any permanent hires for positions in state government. Walker is also asking Doyle to stop construction of a bio-mass fueled boiler at a Madison power plant and to avoid updating or writing any new administrative rules through his office.
In each of the highlighted areas, Walker points to pending litigation or the long-term impacts that hasty decisions could have on the state.
A response letter sent by DOA Secretary Daniel Schoof says the agency wants to avoid pitting the outgoing and incoming administrations against each other. Schoof also offers to brief Walker on the issues and work with his transition team, noting that he doesn’t seem to have all the facts on issues such as how the federal health care exchange will be implemented or the full capabilities of the Charter Street power plant.
However, Schoof gives no indication that DOA plans to agree to his requests.