Scott Walker vs. the Unions (Part 2 of 2)

By Steven Allen
07/17/2015
Summary: In part one we examined the early stages of the struggle between unions and Wisconsin’s combative governor, Scott Walker—his reform efforts, the initial protests, efforts to recall Walker and his allies, and the “John Doe” raids targeting supporters of reform. In part two, we look at his reelection campaign and the biggest twist of all: Wisconsin,...

TAGS: public sector union reform, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker

Scott Walker vs. the Unions (Part 1 of 2)

By Steven Allen
07/10/2015
Summary: In politics, it’s said, you’re known by the enemies you make. Gov. Scott Walker (R-Wisconsin) is best known nationally for his battles with unions—from his reforms that brought 100,000 protesters to the state capitol, to the efforts by the unions to throw him out of office, to the passage of a Right to Work law. Now Walker is expected to run...

TAGS: public sector union reform, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker

Can Californians Learn from Progressive Wisconsin and Confront Government Unions?

By Steven Greenhut
08/27/2012
During recent travels to Madison and Milwaukee for some research about reform-minded Gov. Scott Walker’s survival of a union-backed recall in June, I found little residual anger among the friendly folks there, despite the campaign’s seemingly endless pitched political battles that divided families and led to angry water-cooler discussions. Perhaps the central issue – Walker’s...

TAGS: Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker

Surly Unions Make Wisconsin the Badgering State

By Steven Greenhut
06/04/2012
Before Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker became a recall target for his efforts to reform collective bargaining in his state, I was a guest on a Madison radio show discussing the influence of public-sector unions and the significance of the state’s unfunded pension liabilities. Instead of “Wisconsin Nice” – a euphemism for the polite, conflict-avoiding nature...

TAGS: public employee compensation, Wisconsin, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker

Wisconsin Recall Outcome to Set the Tone for November

By Dave Bego
04/12/2012
Last August, Big Labor attempted to undue Governor Scott Walker’s initiative to cure Wisconsin’s massive debt, incurred as a result of years of Big Labor collective bargaining gone wild. The plan was to hold recall elections on six state Senate Republicans in order to regain the majority in the Wisconsin senate, but the plan failed...

TAGS: Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker