Friday, November 25, 2011
Job Jive
Democrats are claiming the shrinkage of Wisconsin’s work force over the past few months is the result of Governor Walker’s policy changes.
In other words, balancing the state budget for the first time in 12 years without raises taxes or laying off thousands of state employees are very, very bad things.
Pardon us for belaboring the obvious but Democrats, with nothing to offer except a mindless trudge into socialist insolvency, will blame Walker for every flat tire, hailstorm, deceased goldfish, un-mowed lawn and leaky roof that occurs from now until eight years after he leaves office.
A more plausible interpretation of the state’s economy is the inescapable fact that it’s part of thenation’seconomy. An economy that has been pounded into the ground by policies Democrats are working to re-impose here, if only they can get rid of Walker.
Trust-But-Verify Economics
http://wicfg.wordpress.com/2011/11/23/trust-but-verify-economics/
NOVEMBER 23, 2011
Ronald Reagan described his stance toward the Soviet Union on the dubious undertaking of arms control: “Trust, but verify.”
It’s not much of a stretch to see that same attitude coming through in a survey of business leaders released Friday by Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce (WMC).
Local chambers of commerce are generally upbeat about the direction of attitudes toward the business community in Wisconsin and they see good things ahead. Not only do overwhelming majorities of chamber executives say the state is on the right track, the numbers released last week represent a striking, 180-degree turnaround compared with responses to a similar survey in 2009.
According to the survey:
A large number of chambers (74%) think the state is on the right track. This is a mirror image of survey responses 12 months ago when 74% thought we were heading in the wrong direction and a vast improvement over 2009 when only 18% thought we were on the right track. Seventy-nine percent of the local chambers feel strongly that Wisconsin is very or somewhat pro-business, compared to only 18% two years ago.
Somehow we doubt the dramatic shift is mere coincidence, given that in between, Wisconsin government took a similar one-eighty as a result of the 2010 elections.
So how does this sunny optimism square with the disappointing employment numbers reported for the past few months?
We strongly suspect this is an example of “trust-but-verify” economic decision-making. Employers are happy about the state’s current policy direction but they also realize how fragile that happiness may be. Optimism is tempered by the realization that thousands of Wisconsin residents are fully dedicated to tearing down the reasons for their optimism with more recall elections.
Only their complete and utter defeat will convince business that pro-growth policies are durable. Once that is established, just watch Wisconsin’s economy grow.
Sunday, November 20, 2011
WDH: Galloway Will Defend Her Record
WDH
Proponents of a recall election against state Sen. Pam Galloway, R-Wausau, have 60 days to gather at least 15,647 signatures to force an election.
Nancy Tabaka-Stencil, a Rib Mountain resident named as the petitioner on documents filed with state election officials, said the effort was spurred by Galloway’s support for proposals of Gov. Scott Walker, including the controversial law limiting public employees’ collective bargaining abilities.
“Really, to pick a single issue (that encouraged a recall effort) is hard,” Tabaka-Stencil said. “Their actions have hit a lot of people hard.”
Galloway, who worked as a surgeon specializing in breast cancer before running for election, said today that the recall is “inappropriate” because she hasn’t done anything illegal. She expects to face an election and said she plans to defend her record, including the changes to public employees’ collective bargaining authority in Wisconsin Act 10.
“I have done exactly what I said I would do when I campaigned,” Galloway said. “My commitment was clearly prioritizing the needs of the taxpayers. That’s what I’ve done, either through Act 10 or balancing the budget without tax increases.”
The effort to recall Galloway and two other Republican state senators began today, piggybacking on a recall attempt against Walker. Galloway said she expects Walker’s own efforts to prevent or win a recall election, including television ads already airing in Wisconsin, will benefit her.
In central Wisconsin, volunteers will gather signatures supporting recall elections against both the governor and Galloway, Tabaka-Stencil said.
Republicans held onto a one-member majority in the Senate though Democrats gained two seats in the fall recall elections.
Galloway is perhaps best known for leading the push to pass legislation allowing Wisconsin residents to carry concealed weapons, but Tabaka-Stencil said that proposal alone would not have prompted a recall election.
“If concealed carry was the only issue I had with Senator Galloway, I would not be recalling her for that alone,” she said.
State Sens. Terry Moulton of Chippewa Falls and Van Wanggaard of Racine also were targeted for recalls. All of the recall efforts are backed by the state Democratic Party.
The petitions were filed electronically shortly after midnight Tuesday, the same time as paperwork was submitted to recall Walker.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Proponents of a recall election against state Sen. Pam Galloway, R-Wausau, have 60 days to gather at least 15,647 signatures to force an election.
Nancy Tabaka-Stencil, a Rib Mountain resident named as the petitioner on documents filed with state election officials, said the effort was spurred by Galloway’s support for proposals of Gov. Scott Walker, including the controversial law limiting public employees’ collective bargaining abilities.
“Really, to pick a single issue (that encouraged a recall effort) is hard,” Tabaka-Stencil said. “Their actions have hit a lot of people hard.”
Galloway, who worked as a surgeon specializing in breast cancer before running for election, said today that the recall is “inappropriate” because she hasn’t done anything illegal. She expects to face an election and said she plans to defend her record, including the changes to public employees’ collective bargaining authority in Wisconsin Act 10.
“I have done exactly what I said I would do when I campaigned,” Galloway said. “My commitment was clearly prioritizing the needs of the taxpayers. That’s what I’ve done, either through Act 10 or balancing the budget without tax increases.”
The effort to recall Galloway and two other Republican state senators began today, piggybacking on a recall attempt against Walker. Galloway said she expects Walker’s own efforts to prevent or win a recall election, including television ads already airing in Wisconsin, will benefit her.
In central Wisconsin, volunteers will gather signatures supporting recall elections against both the governor and Galloway, Tabaka-Stencil said.
Republicans held onto a one-member majority in the Senate though Democrats gained two seats in the fall recall elections.
Galloway is perhaps best known for leading the push to pass legislation allowing Wisconsin residents to carry concealed weapons, but Tabaka-Stencil said that proposal alone would not have prompted a recall election.
“If concealed carry was the only issue I had with Senator Galloway, I would not be recalling her for that alone,” she said.
State Sens. Terry Moulton of Chippewa Falls and Van Wanggaard of Racine also were targeted for recalls. All of the recall efforts are backed by the state Democratic Party.
The petitions were filed electronically shortly after midnight Tuesday, the same time as paperwork was submitted to recall Walker.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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