Walker sees economy as priority

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Gubernatorial candidate visits Manitowoc, tours Orion

by charlie mathews
Herald Times Reporter

MANITOWOC — Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker has been on the gubernatorial campaign trail since April and the same "J" word just keeps coming up.

"People are still scared to death about the economy … whether it's (concern for) their own job, their neighbor's job, their kid's job," said Walker, in Manitowoc on Monday to meet with the Herald Times Reporter editorial board and take a tour of Orion Energy Systems.

Four months after Walker got into the race for Wisconsin's chief executive position, two-term incumbent Democratic Party Gov. Jim Doyle said he wouldn't seek re-election.

Former U.S. Rep. Mark Neumann is Walker's chief Republican Party primary rival while Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett is the frontrunner for the Democratic nomination with November's election deciding who will lead Wisconsin for four years beginning in January 2011.

Walker said audiences "want to know what you are going to do to create a better environment for jobs in this state … I have worked together with the mayor on many issues but Tom and I have a very different view of the world," Walker said.

A former state representative and first elected Milwaukee County executive in 2002, Walker said Barrett favors "more government, more spending … more taxing. He puts his faith, like Jim Doyle the last eight years, in government programs."

In 2008, Walker was re-elected with 59 percent of the vote in a county that favored President Obama by 67 percent.

Walker said the past year showed government can be a partner in getting the nation and state out of the recession.

"But it can't be the sole source of stimulating the economy," said Walker. "We need to nurture the existing employer, not just company by company, but overall policies that change the landscape."

He said many companies are frustrated by what he said is "inconsistency" in the time it takes for state regulatory agencies to review applications. What might take two days one time may take two weeks another, he said.

'Makes or saves green'

Before his Orion visit, Walker was able to tout the Manitowoc firm's reduction of energy costs for its customers using highly efficient fluorescent lighting systems and solar light pipes.

Walker praised Orion for helping companies indirectly reduce 6.1 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions contributing to a cleaner environment.

He's aware that Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce is opposing proposed state legislation that would mandate energy reductions and greater use of renewable energy resources — such as wind and solar — versus reliance on other forms, including coal, the dominant source of fuel in Wisconsin.

"What I've repeatedly said is I'm for being green if it saves or makes green," said Walker. He said he's not sure if WMC's estimate of potential job losses from the so-called "Global Warming Bill" or "Clean Energy Jobs Act" (depending on one's perspective) is accurate.

Walker said energy-efficient lighting has been installed in many Milwaukee county facilities and he urges conservation, including motion sensors to turn off lights when appropriate.

He believes the state needs to add nuclear power and clean-burning coal improvements to the energy mix. Walker said he tends to be more "free market," favoring incentives versus mandates in driving change.

Benefits reductions mandatory

Walker, 42, said the ever-escalating cost of public sector employees' benefits is unsustainable without "massive increases in taxes."

He said private sector union members recognize the "night and day difference" between their benefits and those working for governmental entities.

While saying there are many good public sector employees, Walker contended that other than "core public safety components … fire and police" all other government functions should be assessed for possible privatization.

Walker said Milwaukee County contracts out for many social services with Catholic and Lutheran social services and the Goodwill.