How long their "no controversial legislation" mood will remain in effect is anyones guess, however, the entire Assembly, half the State, and the Governor, Lt. Governor are all up for re-election next year with a record of extremism that is incredible.

NOT ONE jobs bill has been introduced even during a special "jobs" session called in 2011. Walkers own campaign pledge of 250,000 new jobs in his first 4 years is a miserable failure and the few jobs he HAS brought in have been low wage. Median wages in Wisconsin have continued to fall during the Republican Majority Rule Era and Wisconsin has slipped from #11 in new jobs to #44.

What we have to show for the last 3 years is job losses, income losses, the virtual elimination of union rights for public employees, nearly a billion dollars taken out of school budgets, slashes of state shared revenue to municipalities, the virtual repeal of environmental protection to enable strip mining, huge peel-backs of the wages of public employees to pay for benefits, anti-women legislation, the closure of our Department of Commerce with the creation of a quasi-private entity under the direction of Scott Walker that has "lost track of" tens of millions of dollars in loans and grants to business. And, of course, huge tax breaks for corporations and the rich.

Perhaps they've realized that their extremist agenda may not be easily forgettable in a year, particularly if they keep adding to it. However, it wasn't until Senator Erpenbach raised a stink big enough to get press coverage that their plans changed.

Good. The Clown Show under the marble Big Top has been put on hold. And that's worthy of celebration.

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More Scottenfreuden

For your added enjoyment:



The U.S. arm of a Spanish train-maker filed a $65.9 million claim against the state Thursday, setting up a likely lawsuit and reviving debate over Gov. Scott Walker's rejection of $810 million in federal stimulus money for a high-speed rail line. In its filing with the state Claims Board, Seattle-based Talgo Inc. also maintained Wisconsin owes bond holders an additional $70 million because it borrowed that much for two train sets but never took possession of them. If the train company's reasoning is correct, taxpayers would have to pay Talgo $65.9 million and immediately refund $70 million to bond holders rather than paying that sum off over the coming years. Even then, the state still wouldn't own the trains. The request for more money comes on top of about $40 million the state has already paid Talgo.

In all, Talgo is seeking $65.9 million from the state Department of Transportation — including $18.6 million in unpaid invoices and interest, $23.5 million in lost business, $10.5 million in damage caused by state officials "continually defaming" Talgo's reputation and $9.8 million in lost maintenance work. The remainder covers an array of others costs, such as for insurance and legal work.

The very first action of Scott Walker, on winning his election in 2010, was to cancel $810 million to build a high speed rail line from Milwaukee to Madison. That route would have not only provided construction jobs, but a Spanish high speed rail car manufacturer was planning to build a factory to build high speed rail cars in Wisconsin. The high speed rail plan cancellation also vaporized the factory (and all those good paying jobs it would have brought) as well as the elimination of Talgos existing facility in the state and the existing jobs there.Looks like Talgo has a good case. Sadly, it will be taxpayers who will be footing the bill created by Scott Walkers pandering to the Tea Baggers by rejecting stimulus funds.

Update: Christy1947 makes an interesting observation in the comments as to the timing of Talgos lawsuit. It's going to be big news in an election year when Walkers dismal jobs record will be on display. The refusal of those stimulus funds led to job losses.

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Even MORE Scottenfreuden:

After stringing along several of Wisconsins Native American Tribes regarding his approval of a new casino complex in Kenosha, Scott Walker has backtracked on his promise of a decision this week.



Legally, we've got plenty of time to take all the time we need," he said, adding that the federal government considered the application for years before approving it. "We're going to spend the appropriate amount of time to make a good decision." Walker said he's trying to balance compelling arguments about the need for jobs in the Kenosha area and potential job loss in other counties, both of which might occur should the casino open.

Translation (my take): I'm running for re-election next year and neither I nor my Band of Not So Merry Men have squeezed every last nickel possible out of both sides in the casino issue. Plenty of time to keep those checks coming in from both sides until I make my decision.

Sadly, it's the Menomonee Tribe, the poorest in the state, that wants to build the off-reservation casino. They are opposed by 2 of the richest who have extensive casinos funneling hundreds of millions in profits to them already.

Update: Looks like my take on drawing out the decision process has support in an earlier published(Oct. 30) article.

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