Wisconsin State Journal Endorses Burke-Says Scott Walker's First Term Sloppy & Disappointing
State Journal endorsement: Burke best fit to reenergize state economy
State politics is far too divisive under Gov. Scott Walker. Wisconsin lags on jobs and faces its third largest budget shortfall in two decades.
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The State Journal endorsed Walker four years ago to foster private-sector job growth and balance the state budget. Walker’s signature jobs agency, the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. (WEDC), has been sloppy and disappointing. State exports slipped last year, and job growth has been slow — less than half what the governor promised.
Walker’s first term was bogged down by his repeal of collective bargaining for most public workers. The GOP governor showed courage in fighting to give local governments more control over their budgets and personnel. We supported those actions. But he could have achieved many of the same results — without two years of tumult — by suspending collective bargaining, rather than ending it.
Burke promises to “solve problems, not pick fights.” And that pledge applies to much of Act 10, Walker’s union restrictions. Burke said: “I’m not going to hold up everything” with ultimatums demanding reversal. She will keep in place higher insurance and retirement contributions by public employees.
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Our editorial board met with both candidates for governor, and we’ve closely followed their public lives and careers. Our endorsement of Burke isn’t a prediction of who will win. It’s who we believe is best to lead Wisconsin forward.
Mary Burke is that candidate.
Read more: http://host.madison.com/news/opinion/editorial/state-journal-endorsement-burke-best-fit-to-reenergize-state-economy/article_705e6745-6bf3-5f40-a301-b774e4b320df.html#ixzz3HwyJXnED
