Economy, jobs focus of Walker's campaign

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By Charlie Mathews
Herald Times Reporter

MANITOWOC — Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker said Monday he's glad two-term Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle isn't seeking a third term.

"An open race for governor is better because of instead of building an indictment against the incumbent, you throw out your own ideas," said Walker, who is seeking the Republican nomination to become the state's chief executive.

Walker said his campaign, which began in April and he hopes will end in victory in November 2010, will focus on jobs and the economy.

Walker believes the fastest, most effective way to create new jobs is to cut taxes and implement regulatory and fiscal policies encouraging job growth and economic investment.

He said history has proven that when taxes are cut, consumers and investors spend more money.

Except in a few areas, Walker has been doing the opposite of spending money as executive of the state's most populous county.

"In my seven years, I've cut the county's debt by 10 percent, reduced the county work force by more than 20 percent and authored seven consecutive budgets without raising the property tax levy," Walker told editors and reporters at the Herald Times Reporter before going to The Chamber of Manitowoc County's monthly Business Connects with Government luncheon program.

"There is no one silver bullet, but you have to make tough but important decisions," said Walker, who was re-elected in April 2008 with 57 percent of the vote in a county where 67 percent of voters favored President Barack Obama.

'Mindset of entitlement'

Walker said he would like to reduce the benefits and pension contributions his county's public sector unions receive.

"They have a mindset of entitlement … they take it for granted they will get all these benefits rather than saying, 'I should play a role in helping to cut costs,'" said Walker, who grew up in Delavan, attended Marquette University and was elected to the state Assembly in 1993.

"Without mediation-arbitration reform, the unions thumb their noses at me," Walker said.

"I have 19 supervisors and, on a good day, I have five who are allies," Walker said of his attempts to reduce labor costs.

Milwaukee County does contract out many of its social service programs required by the state using faith-based agencies linked to Lutheran, Catholic, Jewish and Salvation Army organizations.

The county also uses outside housekeeping and courthouse perimeter security personnel and Walker would like to use contract providers for much of parks maintenance.

Walker said he has expanded Family Care as one part of the budget he's increased, stating it saves money when individuals can be cared for in private residences rather than nursing homes.

"What drove me on that issue was knocking on doors as a (state representative candidate) and hearing heartbreaking stories of 70- and 80-year-old parents fearing they would die before their physically or mentally disabled son or daughter could (be assured) of proper care," Walker said.

Indeed, feedback during the next 12 months prior to the September 2010 primary is one of the pluses to such a long campaign, Walker said.

"When you start running this early, you can have real conversations rather than waiting till next summer and just throwing money into advertising," said Walker, who guessed he's already made campaign stops in about 60 of Wisconsin's 72 counties.

He vowed he would run a clean campaign but would not shy away from "comparisons and going after serious distinctions in the record."

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