As Walker vows job-creation, GOP lawmakers float bills focused on social issues

Wisconsin State Journal
January 3, 2011
By MARY SPICUZZA and CLAY BARBOUR

Moments after being sworn in as Wisconsin's 45th governor, Scott Walker called on lawmakers to help him push through "a bold set of reforms aimed at helping businesses create jobs."

"Our message is simple," Walker said, before a packed Capitol rotunda. "Act swiftly. Act decisively. And pass our jobs plan by the end of February. Let us get Wisconsin working again."

During a 20-minute speech that touched on frugality, prosperity and limited government, the 43-year-old governor vowed to stay focused on improving the state's economy and limiting the size of government to "only the essential services our citizens need and taxpayers can afford."

But before the ceremony, Republican lawmakers were already circulating a series of bills that had as much to do with a conservative social agenda as they did with the economy.

The legislation, by Reps. Joel Kleefisch, R-Oconomowoc, and Dean Kaufert, R-Neenah, ranged from [b]repealing same-day voter registration to legal protections for homeowners who use deadly force against intruders.

Democrats quickly accused the GOP of abandoning its campaign promises.

"During the November elections, Republicans promised they'd focus their agenda on jobs and the economy," said State Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Madison. "Clearly, with the first 16 bills out of the gate we are seeing a blatant bait-and-switch that ignores job creation and focuses on right-wing social issues."

GOP: Still focused on jobs

But Kleefisch, the husband of new Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch, said many of the bills he sent around seeking co-sponsors Monday had previously passed the Assembly but stalled in the Senate.

"They are certainly not going to take precedence over the jobs initiatives," Kleefisch said.

Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, R-Juneau, insisted the GOP focus remains on economic recovery.

"It's not surprising that individual legislators are excited to talk about their ideas for the coming session," he said. "I expect the first bills that are formally introduced β€” and not just circulated for co-sponsorship β€” will be Gov. Walker's special session bills."

That session, which Walker announced in an executive order Monday afternoon, begins at 10 a.m. Tuesday.

The session is "solely to consider and act upon" a series of measures intended to meet Walker's goal of helping the private sector create 250,000 new jobs by the end of 2015.

Those steps include replacing the Commerce Department with a public-private agency focused on business growth, eliminating state taxes on health savings accounts, reducing state regulations, and banning lawsuits Walker considers frivolous.

Two sides pledge cooperation

Still, state Rep. Tamara Grigsy, D-Milwaukee, called it "laughable" that the first bills circulated by GOP lawmakers included items such as changing voter registration.

"These bills just don't address jobs in any way," she said.

Democratic leaders said they remained hopeful about working with the new governor. Assembly Minority Leader Peter Barca, D-Kenosha, said he plans to meet with Walker Tuesday to talk in part about Democratic jobs proposals.

During his speech, Walker urged cooperation to help him achieve his pledge "for a new and better Wisconsin that we build together."

"Today, I stand before you β€” not as the governor of one party or another, or the governor of one part of the state or another," Walker told the crowd. "Today, I stand before you as the governor for all of the people in this State of Wisconsin."

http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/ ... 002e0.html