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Gov. Scott Walker, (R-Wis.), on facing a recall election despite the state’s growth in private sector job growth and balancing the state’s budget.
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Wisconsin governor Scott Walker was elected a year ago the state is created 161000.
Private sector jobs dish over the course of this past year.
And unemployment in Wisconsin now at seven point 3%.
The unemployment rate nationwide eight and a half percent as you can see there Governor Walker is also balance the state budget.
He did so without raising taxes and he didn't fire a single.
A single state employee.
You may recall that this -- a big political battle.
In Wisconsin where the the governor and Republican Party because.
Public employee unions and despite that impressive record on the part of the governor he's the target of a recall effort over his efforts.
To strip unions of collective bargaining powers.
Joining us now Wisconsin governor Scott Walker governor thanks for being with us I've got to believe there isn't a governor in -- country who would like to have your record.
And -- that and it's it's stunning that -- the subject of a recall.
Despite all that transpired in 2000 a lot.
Well thank you -- yet it's amazing you think the three years prior to be taken office Wisconsin lost a 150000 jobs.
We actually gained jobs at through the first eleven months of 2011 -- And we're gonna see more good news in the future because our employers.
Back before I took office 10% of our doctors thought was -- was in the right direction.
Just a few weeks ago the same survey was done by the state -- -- 94%.
Now that was Francis had the right direction so we're doing the right things we balance the budget but ultimately damaging -- avoided massive layoffs those all those things yeah.
But what let me interject here when I wanna just reiterate what the governor to set.
Many 4% of the CEOs surveyed by the chamber.
Said the state is now headed in the right direction that compares to 10%.
The previous year.
I mean that's stunning stop and I'm looking at your record -- -- I gotta balance for the governor I'm.
I'm looking for in or any any crack in the -- here.
Where is the deficiency in governor Scott Walker's administration the first year.
I I mean.
I can't -- and I'm telling you the truth I'm looking hard for.
And -- and you to be the subject of this recall effort in the state of Wisconsin.
-- downforce what is the reason use scare that Dickens out of organized labor in this country to this point.
Well more day I think it's not even collective bargaining -- pension -- health care contributions all of which we did.
Very compatible to what the private sector nongovernment employees -- doing in this state what really this is all about the fact that I gave the nearly 300000 public servants.
The good decent men and women working government state and local level the right to choose I give the right to choose whether or not they wanna be a part of the union -- no -- could be forced to be needed.
They no longer can have those really -- is taken out of their paychecks.
In in the end.
That is ultimately why the big government union bosses are spending tons really literally tens of millions of dollars to win this election against me.
We're -- those petitions after -- what tomorrow is not correct.
That's right.
And we -- months and months ago when they first talked about they get up and I believe they will you know albeit at a more than likely -- months ago.
-- but against those petitions are in and let's assume that they get the numbers.
The names of the numbers correctly.
And there you know they're all improper order certified by the secretary of state new Campbell election when his election count.
By the election most likely would be June navy aviators as -- as early July so we're talking about mid summer.
In 2012.
It'll be problem with the spotlight.
And we saw last summer leading up to the artists -- -- special state senate elections.
For those recalls collectively all the groups spent about 44 billion dollars or those elections overwhelming amount of that was -- the -- union money and I would imagine.
You're gonna see a much term outcome this election from the the governorship here -- it was cuts.
And in what is the sense -- -- first of all what is your own sense of your vulnerability.
Your likelihood of prevailing against the recall or -- or failed.
Well some -- said there might be as much as 65 or seventy million dollars total spent on this race.
Was that kind of numbers if you're talking about that kind of money collectively -- all the groups out there.
I you can't take anything -- -- -- -- -- big money comes in front of the state particularly we see the unions in the last election the big government run into at least spending that kind of money.
They'll be real challenge up -- but I think if it's a stark contrast.
I think it's a great after you know here Wisconsin and across the country to say.
You wanna go back to the days double digit tax increases.
Billion dollar budget deficits -- record job loss or do you wanna go forward with our very positive record the show we can balance the budget.
Help the private sector create more jobs and ultimately move our state forward and that's a contrast to -- let me ask you this -- have.
Lot of what has been -- rated which.
State employees -- them.
Left the union it has that occurred.
Is there a pragmatic basis for the fear of organized labor nationwide.
Well I think it if people are given the choice that's what they really fear if your school -- of Milwaukee.
-- -- debt collectively between statement and local union dues 1415100.
Dollars a year -- how you get a choice in the future.
About not having to be a part of that they were the people keep that money for their pension -- health care cut commissioner for that matter for their own kids education.
And what we saw in Indiana back to 2005 -- rich -- to this for state employees was about a 90% drop in union membership I think they're afraid that's what's gonna happen here.
For us it's just about giving it the workers of our state.
Good decent hardworking people work -- state local government the choice and that's true free choice.
Have true free choice also -- highly energized.
-- union.
-- -- effort there -- campaign effort.
Is there -- countervailing force that's been organized in your behalf I mean I don't wanna think that you.
When you start talking these big numbers of like to think at least half of those millions are in in supporting you.
-- has been amazing our our website Scott Walker dot org has been overwhelmed nearly every day we we raise the last reporting period just for a few month period.
More money than never been race for governor and forty -- -- be 79%.
Of that 79% almost 80% of that front came from people give us fifty dollars or less so it is real grassroots.
Evidence out there that people want us account of the big government union money.
And solar or governor we appreciate your being with us we will be -- following your progress throughout look forward to talking to you again soon.
Thank you governor thank you happy new year after an area.
