88-689: The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation ( WEDC ) is a public-private agency in the state of Wisconsin designed to assist business development and innovation through loans, grants, tax credits, and technical assistance programs. WEDC was established in 2011 during the tenure of Gov. Scott Walker to replace the Wisconsin Department of Commerce . The impetus for WEDC resulted from a 2010 report titled “Be Bold Wisconsin: The Wisconsin Competitiveness Study” that recommended
176-588: A recall election . An impeachment trial is carried out by the Wisconsin State Assembly , if a majority of its members agree to the impeachment. No governors have been removed from office through impeachment in the history of Wisconsin. However, Arthur MacArthur Sr. , who, as lieutenant governor, became acting governor upon the resignation of William Barstow in 1856, was removed after the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled that Barstow's opponent in
264-438: A "fiercely-fought" campaign for student government president. Walker led the anti-abortion Students for Life group at Marquette. Walker discontinued his studies at Marquette in the spring of 1990, having earned 94 of the 128 minimum credits needed to graduate. He left in good standing with a 2.59/4.0 grade point average , but without having obtained a degree. Walker has said that he dropped out of college when he received
352-503: A bookkeeper, and Llewellyn Scott "Llew" Walker (May 19, 1939 – October 7, 2018), a Baptist minister. The family moved to Plainfield, Iowa , in 1970, where Llew worked as pastor in the local Baptist Church, TBC, and served on the municipal council. When Walker was ten years old, the family moved to Delavan, Wisconsin , where his father continued to work as a minister, at the First Baptist Church of Delavan. In 1985, when Walker
440-547: A campaign for the Republican nomination in the 2016 presidential election ; however, he withdrew from the race after only two months as a result of declining support in polls. Walker sought a third term as governor in 2018 , but was narrowly defeated by Democrat Tony Evers . Walker was born on November 2, 1967, in Colorado Springs, Colorado , the elder of two sons of Patricia Ann "Pat" (née Fitch; born December 30, 1938),
528-511: A completely red state and work on these unions and become a right-to-work (state)?", and he replied: Well, we're going to start in a couple weeks with our budget adjustment bill. The first step is, we're going to deal with collective bargaining for all public employee unions, because you use divide and conquer. So for us the base we've got for that is the fact that we've got – budgetarily we can't afford not to. If we have collective bargaining agreements in place, there's no way not only
616-585: A compromise with Democratic legislators, the Republican-led Senate removed certain fiscal provisions from the bill, allowing it to be passed without the usual quorum requirement. On March 9, 2011, the Wisconsin Senate voted 18–1 to pass the legislation; Senate Democrats remained out of state and did not participate in the vote. The Wisconsin Assembly passed the bill one day later by a vote of 53–42. After
704-693: A court order to prohibit publication of the bill by the Secretary of State while legal challenges to it were being considered. On March 26, the Legislative Reference Bureau (LRB) published the bill. Sumi subsequently clarified that, pursuant to her order, the bill could not be considered to be published until the court challenge was resolved. On May 26, Judge Sumi struck down the law, finding that its passage violated state open meetings laws. The Wisconsin Supreme Court reversed Sumi's ruling and upheld
792-514: A full-time job offer from the American Red Cross . In 1990, at age 22, Walker ran for Milwaukee's 7th District seat in the Wisconsin State Assembly . He won the Republican nomination, but lost in the general election to incumbent Democrat Gwen Moore , receiving less than one-third of the vote. In 1993, Walker moved to Wauwatosa , a suburb of Milwaukee, and ran in a special election in
880-487: A law that allowed gay couples to register with counties to get certain benefits, such as hospital visitation rights. He later stated that his position on same-sex marriage was no longer relevant because Wisconsin's ban on same-sex marriage had been overturned by a federal court. Walker said he would sign an Arizona-style immigration bill , which would allow local police to stop suspected illegal immigrants, if he were elected. On November 2, 2010, his 43rd birthday, Walker won
968-609: A margin one point greater than that of the 2010 election, becoming the first governor in American history to survive a recall attempt. In the 2022 gubernatorial election , over 2.6 million voters cast ballots for governor. This was the highest turnout for a gubernatorial election in state history, surpassing the 2012 recall election by 140,000 votes. There have been 44 governors of Wisconsin and 45 individual governorships. 1 governor, Philip La Follette , served non-consecutive terms. Four parties have had their candidates elected governor:
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#17328869364471056-573: A non-political authority be created to design and deliver a statewide economic development strategy. The WEDC is governed by an 18-member board of directors. The governor of Wisconsin appoints six members of the board, with the advice and consent of the Wisconsin Senate . The speaker of the Wisconsin State Assembly may appoint four members, the Senate majority may appoint four members, and
1144-531: A period of 15 years if the company built a $ 10 billion Generation 10.5 liquid crystal display panel plant and employed 13,000 workers in Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin . In 2020, WEDC notified the company it was ineligible to receive the credits because the facility specified under the contract had not been built. In April 2021, WEDC and Foxconn approved a revised agreement under which Foxconn will be eligible to receive up to $ 80 million in performance-based tax credits if
1232-482: A result of the change. In August 2012, the first investigation, which had been launched by John Chisholm , Milwaukee County District Attorney, a Democrat, into missing funds, was rolled into a second John Doe probe based on a theory that Governor Walker's campaign had illegally coordinated with conservative groups engaged in issue advocacy during the recall elections. Governor of Wisconsin The governor of Wisconsin
1320-446: A term of two years; in 1967, the constitution was amended to increase the term of office to four years, beginning with the governor elected in the 1970 election . There is no limit to the number of terms a governor may hold. The longest-serving governor was Tommy Thompson , from January 5, 1987, until February 1, 2001, a total of 14 years and 28 days; the shortest-serving was Arthur MacArthur Sr. , from March 21, 1856, until March 25 of
1408-579: Is Henry C. Newell, retired CEO of Wausau Paper . The corporation is administered by a secretary and chief executive officer, appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the Senate. The current CEO, Melissa "Missy" Hughes , was nominated by Governor Tony Evers in September 2019 and confirmed by the Senate in October 2019. WEDC receives revenue from several sources, including State General Purpose Revenues (from state legislative appropriation);
1496-594: Is an American politician who served as the 45th governor of Wisconsin from 2011 to 2019. A member of the Republican Party , he previously served as Milwaukee County executive from 2002 to 2010. Born in Colorado Springs, Colorado , Walker was raised in Plainfield, Iowa and in Delavan, Wisconsin . He was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 1992, representing a district in western Milwaukee County . In 2002, Walker
1584-479: Is deemed unfit for the purpose due to invasion or contagious disease . The governor may pardon , commute , or grant reprieve of sentences, except in cases of treason or impeachment . The governor must notify the Wisconsin State Legislature of these each year, along with the reasons for them. In cases of treason, the governor may suspend the carrying out of the sentence until the next session of
1672-475: Is the head of government of Wisconsin and the commander-in-chief of the state's army and air forces . The governor has a duty to enforce state laws, and the power to either approve or veto bills passed by the Wisconsin Legislature , to convene the legislature, and to grant pardons , except in cases of treason and impeachment . The position was first filled by Nelson Dewey on June 7, 1848,
1760-573: The Associated Press . Walker became a figure of national recognition and controversy after he proposed the " Wisconsin budget repair bill " in 2011. The bill, which would eventually be passed by the Wisconsin Legislature , significantly changed the collective bargaining process for most public employees in Wisconsin. Opponents of Walker's actions launched a push for a recall election and received enough support to force an election on June 5, 2012,
1848-556: The Democratic , the Whig , the Republican and the Progressive . Originally, the state constitution specified that the governor and lieutenant governor of Wisconsin were voted upon separately, but in 1967, the constitution was amended to state that they were elected together. Prior to this amendment, there were nine incidents in which the elected governor and lieutenant governor were not of
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#17328869364471936-492: The United States Senate , Patrick Joseph Lucey to become Ambassador to Mexico , and Tommy Thompson to become United States Secretary of Health and Human Services . Additionally two governors— Louis Harvey and Walter Samuel Goodland —died while in office, and Orland Loomis , who was elected governor, died before taking office. The governor can also be removed through an impeachment trial or through
2024-655: The Wisconsin Budget Repair Bill ; the legislation proposed to effectively eliminate collective bargaining for most Wisconsin public employees. In response, opponents of the bill protested at the Wisconsin State Capitol and Senate Democrats left the state in an effort to prevent the bill from being passed. Nevertheless, the Wisconsin Budget Repair Bill became law in March 2011. Opposition to
2112-490: The primary election of September 14, 2010, receiving 59% of the popular vote, while former U.S. Representative Mark Neumann garnered 39%. As part of his campaign platform, Walker said he would create 250,000 jobs in his first term through a program that would include tax cuts for small businesses, capital gains tax cuts, and income tax cuts. He proposed cutting state employee wages and benefits to help pay for these tax cuts. Critics argued that his proposals would help only
2200-549: The "political bug". He attained the highest rank, Eagle Scout , in the Boy Scouts of America , and graduated from Delavan-Darien High School in 1986. In the fall of 1986, Walker enrolled at Marquette University . Within a few weeks of beginning his collegiate studies, Walker became a student senator and led a committee investigating alleged misuse of funds by student leaders. During the same year, he volunteered for Tommy Thompson 's gubernatorial campaign. In 1988, Walker lost
2288-430: The Assembly passed the bill, Walker released a statement in which he "applaud[ed] all members of the Assembly for showing up, debating the legislation and participating in democracy". Walker signed the Wisconsin Budget Repair Bill into law on March 11, 2011. On March 12, the fourteen Democratic senators who had left the state returned. The Budget Repair Law was challenged in court. On March 18, Judge Maryann Sumi issued
2376-548: The COVID-19 pandemic, funded through the federal CARES Act. WEDC also reallocated $ 5 million in internal resources to Community Development Financial Institutions for grants to existing loan customers to help with short-term cash flow and to protect jobs and public health during the COVID-19 outbreak. In 2017, WEDC entered into a contract with Foxconn , Hon Hai Precision Manufacturing, and SIO International (collectively known as Foxconn) to provide up to $ 2.85 billion in tax credits over
2464-572: The Courts. Over the years, he served on a number of other committees, including Health, Census and Redistricting, Financial Institutions, and Housing. As a freshman legislator in 1993, he co-sponsored right-to-work legislation . In 1999 he advocated for a truth-in-sentencing bill that increased prison time for some crimes and eliminated parole for others. Walker was a member of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) at
2552-557: The Government Accountability Board unanimously ruled in favor of the recall election. The recall elections for both Walker and Kleefisch took place on June 5, 2012. During the Republican primary election for the recall, Walker received 626,538 votes. In the Democratic primary, all of the Democratic candidates combined received 670,288, with the winner, Tom Barrett, receiving 390,109, a majority. On June 5, 2012, Walker won
2640-532: The Office of Rural Prosperity, which aims to assist farmers and rural residents. WEDC provides assistance to businesses, communities, and individuals through grants, loans, and tax credits, including: Other programs include grants for brownfield redevelopment, fabrication laboratories, workforce training, and businesses owned by minorities, women and veterans. In 2020, WEDC provided nearly $ 240 million in direct assistance to more than 55,000 small businesses impacted by
2728-625: The Operation Freedom Benefit, with proceeds to the Military Order of the Purple Heart. Walker's Chief of Staff, Thomas Nardelli, indicated that he went to Walker with concerns about missing money in 2009, and Walker directed him to report it to the district attorney's office. The district attorney did not immediately act but later launched a " John Doe " investigation. Kavanaugh and four others were arrested for theft of funds. Kavanaugh
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2816-484: The State Economic Development Fund (from 3% tax on corporations); Brownfield Site Assessment (collected through the state's environmental fund); intergovernmental revenues (e.g. federal grants); interest on loans; charges for services (loan origination fees, bond servicing fees, tax transfer fees, sponsorship contribution); interest on investments; and other revenues (receipts which do not fall into one of
2904-485: The assembly and about 80% of the Republicans in the assembly. Walker had a pro-life record in the Assembly. With the exception of some bills while Walker was running for Milwaukee County Executive, Walker either sponsored or cosponsored all but three bills that would have restricted abortions. In 2001–02, Walker and fellow Assemblymember Michael Huebsch objected to the hiring of a state employee, Rev. Jamyi Witch, on
2992-485: The basis of her religious beliefs as a Wiccan . Walker claimed that Witch's hiring as a prison chaplain raised "both personal and political concerns" because she "practice[d] a religion that actually offends people of many other faiths". Walker and Huebsch were ultimately unsuccessful in terminating Witch's chaplaincy or employment. Walker became Milwaukee County Executive in a special election run in April 2002, after
3080-472: The bill. Walker warned that if the budget repair bill was not passed by March 1, refinancing of a $ 165 million state debt would fail, and more cuts would be needed to balance the budget. By February 20, protestors had undertaken a physical occupation of the Capitol building. Protestors also covered the walls of the Capitol with thousands of homemade signs. On February 20, a union organizer participating in
3168-415: The changes because he would not jeopardize public safety. Walker stated that the bill was necessary to avoid laying off thousands of state employees and that no one should be surprised by its provisions. Union leaders and Democratic legislators immediately criticized the bill, claiming Walker had never campaigned on doing away with collective bargaining rights. In a media interview a week later, Walker said he
3256-612: The company invests to $ 672 million and creates 1,454 jobs in Wisconsin by 2026. The new contract does not specify what Foxconn will build at the site. WEDC has been nationally recognized for its transparency in reporting economic development awards. The organization provides a searchable online database and map of its awards. The Wisconsin Department of Economic Development has had four CEOs since its creation in 2011. Scott Walker (politician) Scott Kevin Walker (born November 2, 1967)
3344-410: The constitution was amended to specify that in the event of the governor's death, resignation or removal from office, the lieutenant governor becomes governor for the remainder of the term, but in the event of impeachment, incapacitation or absence, the lieutenant governor merely becomes "acting governor" until the governor can return to his duties. The original constitution also specified that in any of
3432-410: The contentious collective bargaining dispute , Walker's disapproval ratings varied between 50% and 51% while his approval ratings varied between 47% and 49% in 2011. The effort to recall Walker officially began on November 15, 2011. Walker reportedly raised more than $ 30 million during the recall effort, with a significant portion from out of state. Commentators claimed the amount of money raised
3520-679: The contributions came from outside Wisconsin. Walker, or the conservative causes he supports, are also supported by conservative donors and groups including Michael W. Grebe , Diane Hendricks , and the Bradley Foundation , founder of the Wisconsin Policy Research Institute and the MacIver Institute ; and David H. Koch and Charles Koch , initial funders of Americans for Prosperity . In his third election in four years, Walker faced Democrat Mary Burke to determine
3608-471: The county board "over taxes, privatization of public services, quality of parks and public buildings, and delivery of social services", according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel . The County Board approved several budgets over Walker's veto and he never submitted a budget with a higher property tax than the board had approved the prior year. During Walker's tenure the number of county employees
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3696-535: The endorsements of Wisconsin Right to Life and The Milwaukee Sentinel , which called him a fiscal conservative and noted his anti-abortion , tough-on-crime, and pro-welfare reform positions. He was re-elected four times, serving until 2002 when he became a county executive. While in the Assembly, Walker was interested in criminal justice matters and chaired the Committees on Correctional Facilities, and Corrections and
3784-498: The event of a veto, the bill is returned to the legislature, who may then vote to override the veto. In 1930, the Wisconsin Constitution was amended to give the governor line-item veto power, which allows portions of appropriations bills to be struck out without rejecting the entire bill. Governors have the power to strike out words, numbers, and even entire sentences from bills. The partial veto may still be overridden by
3872-515: The executive branch, also has administrative powers (the power to administer agencies created by the Wisconsin legislature). Since 1965, there has been an increase in executive orders to "establish standards and provide uniformity to executive agency operations and programs." However, since 2011, the Wisconsin Legislature has attempted to limit the authority of administrative agencies. The governor also appoints heads of agencies created by
3960-427: The financial concessions in the bill, but would not agree to the limitations of collective bargaining rights. On February 17, 2011, all 14 Democratic state senators traveled to Illinois to prevent the passage of the bill by depriving the Senate of the quorum necessary for a vote. The missing legislators said they would not return to Madison unless Walker agreed to remove the limitations on collective bargaining from
4048-434: The first time a Governor of Wisconsin had ever faced recall. During Walker's first term as governor, the state's $ 3.6 billion budget deficit was turned into a surplus and taxes were cut by $ 2 billion. More than 100,000 jobs were created in the state of Wisconsin. Walker proposed the Wisconsin Budget Repair Bill on February 11, 2011, estimated to save Wisconsin $ 30 million in the current fiscal year and $ 300 million over
4136-433: The former County Executive, Tom Ament , resigned in the wake of a county pension-fund scandal. Walker was elected to a four-year term in 2004, winning 57% of the vote to defeat former state budget director, David Riemer. Although in a liberal county and running for a nonpartisan position, Walker ran openly as a conservative Republican. He won another four-year term in 2008, defeating State Senator Lena Taylor with 59% of
4224-493: The general election with 52% of total votes cast, while Democrat Tom Barrett received 46%. His running mate was Rebecca Kleefisch , a former Milwaukee television news reporter. Walker's victory came amid a series of Wisconsin GOP victories, with conservative Republican Ron Johnson winning the contested U.S. Senate seat, and with the GOP gaining majorities in the state's U.S. House delegation, State Assembly, and State Senate. After
4312-685: The general election. Green lost the general election, in November 2006, to the incumbent Democrat, Jim Doyle . Despite Green's loss, Walker's strong support for him helped increase Walker's favorability with the state GOP and positioned him as the frontrunner for the 2010 election. Walker was an early favorite for the 2010 Republican Party endorsement for Wisconsin governor, winning straw polls of Wisconsin GOP convention attendees in 2007 and 2008. He announced his candidacy in late April 2009 after several months of previewing his campaign themes of reduced taxes and reduced spending to Republican audiences around
4400-478: The governor "to pursue a legislative agenda". The governor of Wisconsin is directly elected —the candidate with the most votes becomes governor. If two candidates receive an equal number of votes, which is higher than that received by any other candidate, the members of the state legislature vote between the two at their next session. Under the original Wisconsin Constitution , governors were elected for
4488-469: The governor of Wisconsin are outlined in the Wisconsin Constitution at Article V, Section 4. In general, the governor ensures that the laws of Wisconsin are carried out. The governor of Wisconsin has the strongest veto power of nearly any American governor. Any bill passed by the Wisconsin State Legislature must be presented to the governor, who either signs it into law , or vetoes it. In
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#17328869364474576-401: The governor of Wisconsin. Wisconsin labor unions, who helped organize the 2012 Wisconsin recall election, donated funds to boost Burke's campaign. Walker received help from a number of conservative donors. The polling through most of the race was close and no candidate was a definitive favorite. The gubernatorial election took place on November 4, 2014, and Walker won re-election by 6 percent of
4664-555: The law led to an attempt to recall Walker from office in 2012. Walker prevailed in the recall election , becoming the first of two incumbent governors in the history of the United States to win a recall election, the other being California governor Gavin Newsom in 2021. Walker was re-elected in 2014, defeating Democratic Madison School Board member Mary Burke . Following heavy speculation about his presidential ambitions, Walker launched
4752-494: The law on June 14, 2011. Walker claimed that the Budget Repair Law would "save jobs, protect taxpayers, reform government and help balance the budget." He added, "You see, despite a lot of the rhetoric we've heard over the past 11 days the bill I put forward isn't aimed at state workers, and it certainly isn't a battle with unions. If it was, we would have eliminated collective bargaining entirely or we would have gone after
4840-413: The legislature, who then vote to grant a pardon, commutation or reprieve, or to carry out the sentence. The governor must also "communicate to the legislature, at every session, the condition of the state, and recommend such matters to them for their consideration as he may deem expedient" (these annual communications are referred to as the " state of the state "). The governor of Wisconsin, as head of
4928-435: The legislature. In 1990 a further amendment specified that the line-item veto does not give the governor power to veto individual letters of appropriations bills, thereby forming new words. Despite this 1990 law, the strength of the governor's veto power gave rise to the term " Frankenstein veto " to describe the governor's ability to form a new bill that subverts the intent of the legislature. In 2023, Governor Tony Evers used
5016-442: The legislature. This appointment power is not explicitly granted by the Wisconsin Constitution, as it is in the appointments clause of the federal constitution, with the exception of appointing judicial vacancies. Instead, the governor appoints heads of agencies by statute. The governor of Wisconsin had 307 executive appointments between 2017 and 2018. State law requires the governor to prepare an executive budget bill. This helps
5104-444: The minority leaders of the two legislative chambers may each appoint one member. The secretaries of the Wisconsin Department of Administration and the Wisconsin Department of Revenue also both serve as non-voting members of the board. When the corporation was first established, the governor was ex officio chairman of the board; since 2015, the chair has been elected by the board from among its members. The current board chair
5192-420: The more conservative 14th legislative district , based around Wauwatosa. He defeated Democrat Chris Ament, son of then-Milwaukee County Executive Tom Ament . During the campaign, Walker backed welfare reform and opposed the expansion of mass transit . He supported a cap on state spending and said that the law on resolving labor disputes with local government employees needed to be reformed. Walker received
5280-403: The next two years. The bill requires additional contributions by state and local government workers to their health care plans and pensions, amounting to roughly an 8% decrease in the average government worker's take home pay. The bill eliminated, for most state workers, other than certain public safety workers, many collective bargaining rights aside from seeking pay increases, and then not above
5368-616: The other categories). WEDC has several divisions and offices, including the Global Trade and Investment division, which works with businesses to identify partners and navigate export processes; the Business and Community Development division, which works with local officials through financial assistance to revitalize commercial districts; the Entrepreneurship and Innovation division, which provides support to start-ups using tax incentives; and
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#17328869364475456-527: The pensions and health care and that, in one case, a contract even included a pay increase. On February 28, the largest public union filed an unfair labor practices complaint with the state labor relations board, claiming that Walker had a duty to negotiate, but had refused. On March 8, private emails dating back to February 28 were released. These emails showed that Governor Walker had tried to negotiate with Democratic legislators, even proposing to allow some collective bargaining rights. After failing to reach
5544-409: The power to change a portion of the state budget that funded schools until the "2024-2025" school year to "2425," increasing funding for over 400 years. The governor is the commander-in-chief of the state's militia . If it is deemed necessary, the governor may also convene extraordinary sessions of the state legislature; and may convene them anywhere in the state, if Madison , the state capital ,
5632-437: The previous election, Coles Bashford , was the election's legitimate winner. In 2012, Scott Walker became the only governor in Wisconsin history to face a recall election and was the only governor in American history to survive a recall election until Gavin Newsom also survived in the 2021 California gubernatorial recall election . He retained his seat, defeating Milwaukee mayor Tom Barrett by seven percentage points,
5720-626: The private-sector unions." As part of the cost savings resulting from the changes to collective bargaining, Walker pointed to significant reductions in the premiums for health insurance for many school districts. Prior to the deficit reduction bill, WEA Trust, which is affiliated with Wisconsin's largest teachers union, dominated the market for health insurance for the state's school districts. The changes to collective bargaining made it easier for school districts to change health insurance providers and negotiate better premiums. Walker claimed that Wisconsin school districts have saved an estimated $ 30 million as
5808-685: The protests said that the protests would continue "as long as it takes." Other union leaders called for teachers to return to work. On February 26, between 70,000 and 100,000 protested the bill in Madison. They were joined by thousands at state capitals around the nation. Appearing on Meet the Press on February 27, Walker stated that he did not believe the unions were negotiating in good faith in offering pension and health-care concessions because local unions had recently pushed through contracts with school boards and city councils that did not include contributions to
5896-471: The public schools and opposes state supported clinical services that provide birth control and testing and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases to teens under age 18 without parental consent. He supports the right of pharmacists to refuse to fill prescriptions for contraceptives on religious or moral grounds. He supports adult stem cell research but opposes human embryonic stem cell research. As an opponent of same-sex marriage , he opposed
5984-503: The rate of inflation, unless approved by a voter referendum . Under the bill, unions have to win yearly votes to continue representing government workers and could no longer have dues automatically deducted from government workers' paychecks. Certain law enforcement personnel and firefighters are exempt from the bargaining changes. On January 18, 2011, days after Walker's inauguration, Beloit businesswoman and Walker supporter Diane Hendricks asked him, "Any chance we'll ever get to be
6072-516: The recall election. This was only the third gubernatorial recall election in U.S. history. Walker won the recall, his second face-off with Barrett, by a slightly larger margin (53% to 46%) than in the 2010 election (52% to 46%) and became the first U.S. governor to win a recall election. By the end of the recall election, Walker had a national network of conservative donors and groups supporting him. Nearly 300,000 people donated to his recall campaign, which garnered roughly $ 37 million. Two-thirds of
6160-423: The same political party . Originally, the state constitution only said that in the event of the impeachment, removal from office, death, resignation or absence of the governor, or in the event of the governor being unfit to serve due to illness, "the powers and duties of the office shall devolve upon the lieutenant governor" for the remainder of the term or until the governor is able to return to office. In 1979,
6248-476: The same year; a total of 5 days. Candidates for the office must be citizens of the United States and qualified voters in the state of Wisconsin. The governor usually leaves office because their term ends and they have not been re-elected. But the governor may also leave office through other means. For example, the governor may resign from office. Four governors have resigned: William Barstow due to fraud allegations, Robert La Follette Sr. to take his seat in
6336-556: The signatures were not valid. Democrats argued that even if 20% of the signatures were disregarded they still had obtained 180,000 more signatures than required to initiate the recall. Wisconsin Democratic Party Communications Director Graeme Zielinski claimed Walker was "delaying the inevitable". On February 17, 2012, Dane County Judge Richard Niess, who had signed the recall petition, denied Walker's request for additional time. On March 30, 2012,
6424-463: The state but local governments can balance things out. So you think city of Beloit, city of Janesville, any of the school districts, that opens the door once we do that. That's your bigger problem right there. After videotape of the interaction was released in May 2012, Walker's opponents said Walker had revealed his intention to target private sector unions and pursue right-to-work legislation. Walker said he
6512-460: The state. He criticized the 2009–2011 Wisconsin state budget as too big given the slow economy. In 2009 and 2010, Americans for Prosperity helped raise Walker's statewide profile, inviting him to address its events and rallies throughout the state. Walker won the Wisconsin GOP convention endorsement on May 22, 2010, receiving 91% of the votes cast by delegates. He won the Republican nomination in
6600-416: The time, and credited the organization for much of the success of the legislation. In 2001, he sponsored a bill to prevent pharmacists from being disciplined for refusing to fill prescriptions for emergency contraception and was a supporter of a bill to require voters to show photo ID at the polls. According to research by two political analysts, Walker was more conservative than about 90% of his peers in
6688-515: The vote. Walker sought a third term in the 2018 elections. His opponent, Democratic Wisconsin Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Evers, defeated him in the election. Walker took the oath of office to become the 45th Governor of Wisconsin on January 3, 2011. By January 25, 2011, the state legislature passed a series of Walker-backed bills, the largest of which would cut taxes for businesses at "a two-year cost of $ 67 million", according to
6776-615: The vote. Upon first being elected, Walker became the youngest person and the first Republican ever elected to the position and remains the only Republican to hold this office to date. Walker won the office on a platform of fiscal conservatism , promising to give back part of his own salary. He said that his voluntary give-back gave him moral authority to make cuts in the budget. He returned $ 60,000 per year (slightly less than half of his salary) during his first term, and reduced his give-back to $ 10,000 per year during his second term. During his eight years in office, there were disputes with
6864-473: The wealthy and that cutting the salaries of public employees would adversely affect state services, while supporters argued that tax cuts for businesses would spur the economy and create jobs. Walker indicated he would refuse an $ 810 million award from the federal Department of Transportation to build a high speed railroad line from Madison to Milwaukee as he believed it would cost the state $ 7.5 million per year to operate and would not prove profitable. This
6952-534: The year Wisconsin became a state. Prior to statehood, there were four governors of Wisconsin Territory . The 46th, and current governor is Tony Evers , a Democrat who took office on January 7, 2019. The governor of Wisconsin has both inherent powers granted by the Wisconsin Constitution and administrative powers granted by laws passed by the Wisconsin State Legislature. The constitutional powers of
7040-494: Was "illustrating the national significance both political parties saw in the recall fight". In March 2012, the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board announced there were more than 900,000 valid signatures to force a recall vote, well above the required minimum of 540,208. In February 2012, Walker's campaign requested additional time for the petition signatures to be verified, claiming about 20% of
7128-466: Was convicted and sentenced to 21 months in prison. Tim Russell, employed by Walker in a number of posts, was implicated in the same investigation; he was charged in January 2012 and pleaded guilty in November 2012 to diverting more than $ 21,000 to his personal bank account. In 2010, Walker's last year as Milwaukee County executive, Russell was his deputy chief of staff and Milwaukee Housing Director. Walker
7216-401: Was elected Milwaukee County Executive in a special election following the resignation of F. Thomas Ament ; he was elected to a full term in 2004 and was re-elected in 2008. Walker ran for Governor of Wisconsin in 2006 , but dropped out of the race before the primary election. He ran again in 2010 and won. Shortly after his inauguration in 2011, Walker gained national attention by introducing
7304-457: Was in high school, he attended and represented Wisconsin at two weeks of American Legion -sponsored training in leadership and government at Badger Boys State in Wisconsin and Boys Nation in Washington, D.C. While at the event, he met President Ronald Reagan and had a photo taken with him. Walker has credited the experience with solidifying his interest in public service and giving him
7392-625: Was in spite of offers by the mayor of Madison and the Dane County executive to help absorb costs the state might have incurred. The award was later rescinded and split among other states. This cost the state at least $ 60 million for rail repairs federal funds would have covered. Social issues played a part in the campaign. Walker has stated that he is "100% pro-life" and that he believes life should be protected from conception to natural death. He opposes abortion , including in cases of rape and incest . He supports abstinence-only sex education in
7480-463: Was not charged with any wrongdoing. While county executive, Walker became a candidate, in February 2005, in the 2006 race for Wisconsin governor. He dropped out on March 24, 2006, after about 14 months of campaigning, citing fundraising difficulties. Walker threw his support to fellow Republican Mark Andrew Green , who won the Republican primary unopposed, and Walker actively campaigned for him during
7568-547: Was not pursuing right-to-work legislation and that in his 2011 comment to Hendricks he was referring to his responsibility as governor to defend taxpayers from unions that he believed were frustrating resolution of the state's budget deficit. In announcing the proposed legislation, Walker said the Wisconsin National Guard and other state agencies were prepared to prevent disruptions in state services. He later explained that police and firefighters were excluded from
7656-442: Was not trying to break the public sector unions, noting that Wisconsin government employees would retain the protections of civil service laws. He said that asking employees to pay half the national average for health care benefits was a modest request. Demonstrators began protesting the proposed bill on February 14, 2011. During the sixth day of the protests, leaders of the two largest unions said publicly they were prepared to accept
7744-647: Was reduced by over 20% and the $ 3.5 million county deficit was turned into a surplus. In addition, he cut over $ 44 million in proposed spending through his veto powers and helped eliminate the waiting list for long-term care for senior citizens. Walker appointed Kevin Kavanaugh, treasurer of the local chapter of the Military Order of the Purple Heart , as a member of the County Veterans Service Commission. Walker raised funds annually for veterans at
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