Wisconsin's Lt. Governor seat also up for grabs

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But first it is not only governor Scott Walker's job at stake lieutenant governor Rebecca clean fish is also fighting to keep her seat.

The lieutenant governor faces democratic challenger -- Mitchell in the recall.

Mr.

-- -- head of the state firefighters' union.

We spoke -- lieutenant governor clay -- about her recall battle.

High -- Is it can't just say the -- governor.

But for -- -- collective bargaining spat -- getting a better way to describe this certainly was a spat between besides that there would be no recall is that your understanding pretty much that this was the reason why you're being recalled in the governor.

I.

Think it ultimately that is why our opponents decided that it was a good idea -- spend between sixteen and money million dollars in taxpayer money to put on this recall battle.

I do you think that it was largely a balance.

That he sent -- -- and but now we know that the reforms that -- -- have saved the taxpayers of Wisconsin more than a billion dollars between state and local governments.

That's something that all Wisconsin all of our taxpayers' hard working families.

Can do -- victory lap about.

That's going to be product.

Our guys understand though that they collective bargaining has aided some jurisdictions and not quite so other jurisdiction and it's really.

So adamant at least at this point a mixed bag not everybody across the table has benefited is that right.

Well it depends on whether the municipality -- -- county the school district actually use the reforms available for them an accent there our son entities then rushed to a contract -- union before they could ever realize this savings that they could capture.

In acts ten we -- that.

In particular in the Milwaukee public school district.

There they rushed to a contract and they ended up in in dire straits they they had to do layoffs in that was very very unfortunate.

And so when no walking schools.

Actually realize the opportunity.

To -- governor lieutenant governor we understand what you're trying to do here can we -- another swipe the -- try and do this.

The governor signed legislation and enabling a -- public schools to go back and realize those savings but -- When their teachers union voted to on whether they wanted to realize these savings.

Whether they wanted to keep a Reyes for themselves or keep more money in the classrooms keep teachers from being laid off.

They voted for -- the -- Do you I'm 1%.

Agree with Governor Walker on every -- -- Well on every issue up probably not but I'll think -- fire a second that we discussed every issue under the sun I think in most cases.

Yes we do agree that that's part of the importance of having a really good relationship between your governor and lieutenant governor it's why our legislature in Wisconsin decided.

They each lacked the governor lieutenant governor together as a ticket which is how we -- elected to to a four year term back and fall of 2010 but as -- Our government accountability board and our attorney general have ruled that the governor and I.

Are actually being recalled separately.

And sell our voters have a choice of for -- Or backward in both of these -- not just stay in -- other strays but also in the lieutenant governor's race.

So in theory although it seems -- -- -- gonna happen you could be.

Elected or reelected however a lot of caught on June 5 the -- -- and Governor Walker could lose and you could be the lieutenant governor to.

Mayor Barrett a Democrat -- governments I suspect that you're gonna win or lose together but that's the way it's that.

That the way it's developed that could theoretically happen.

I suppose it claimed I haven't spent any time thinking about it because I think is gonna happen I think we're you know I don't -- And June 6 and I think governors now locker is gonna continue to be the -- of the executive branch in the stimulus -- I would imagine that because -- -- the uniqueness of vision run as a ticket and this -- you don't let us just to get Iraq individually and that's -- as giving an hypothetical that -- that adding it to be elected or not elected together.

Now -- opponent you.

Mr.

-- mail Mitchell says that you are simply a rubber stamp of the governor and I suppose your response said then.

What's your response.

I don't know that we need to even spend much time I had to be frank with you I think -- when you have a good partnership with the team.

In the executive branch -- you want a governor or lieutenant governor who are working well together.

I want a governor a cool it.

And trusts me with big responsibilities you know that jobs -- the economy creating jobs in this -- and then making sure that we have -- trained workforce in order to take those jobs.

The -- biggest priorities that we have.

Not just in this administration but also among tax payers and job creators among the hardworking family as -- we listen to every single day.

And that's where I spend my time the governor has appointed me his jobs ambassador so I traveled the state meeting with small business owners and asking them.

How we can best help them.

To create jobs how we can be their partners in job creation how we can work together on it but.

I also spend my time developing plans in order to connect more job seekers to jobs and assuring that our job seekers have the skills they need.

For these employers to.

-- -- -- Governor Walker is said good some reflection that for that he wished that and going back looking at the collective bargaining.

-- -- Fight whenever -- said he wished that he communicated more to the people that he -- self reflective on that looking back get -- I realize you were really in in the fire on this -- -- the governor do you have any -- -- not they've had a chance -- look at the first step part of the term.

I'm giving -- how you might have done things a little differently.

Well I think Governor Walker has and I today and very correct answer here grad and I know you and I spent a lot of time talking -- spent a lot of time.

Talking to a lot of folks from different news outlets from -- -- the country.

Last year about what was going on in Wisconsin you know why -- we having these protests at Wisconsin it was because.

We -- some really big reforms that not only address the problems the past but also the problems in the future -- well we came in office.

We're facing a three point six billion dollar budget deficit coming out us in the past but then.

You looking into -- future and you -- the cost drivers of a pensions and also the rising costs of health care so we become an address from both ways.

But we still wanted to make sure that we were preserving.

Tax payers design here to -- budget without raising taxes and so that's Slowey did.

Could we have sold it can no longer in nature that people understood that there was in need not just don't want for this but -- need for this.

Yes absolutely -- the governor's dead -- in this guy.

Like.

Do you think that the June 5 election is going to be a -- -- for cursor what's gonna happen in November because.

In 2008 -- -- Obama won by resounding number twelve or fourteen point to be Senator John McCain in Wisconsin.

Do you think that the numbers we see and June 5 are going to give us a big hint as to what will happen come November whether President Obama.

Or governor Romney -- was -- -- The air traffic data yeah absolutely I -- I think Wisconsin is a harbinger.

I think and that we are going to be a huge predictor of momentum going into the presidential election.

With cousin is a very purple state we're very passionate and they're both sides of the political -- And I think we saw a big indicator on primary night of where the the Republican then and that the taxpayer to pay -- a voter.

-- is our right now.

Yeah place fish going head to head -- the union leader in the recall race democratic candidate mailing Mitchell as president of the professional firefighters of Wisconsin he joins -- Be nice to see -- certain.

-- to see you Greta good to be back on the record again.

Nice steady here I tell me that collective bargain statue which I see is sort of what provoked this recall about fourteen months -- I'm curious what has been the real impact of this collective bargaining -- the law that's no one.

Look -- the bargain -- about safety and it's about working conditions.

-- -- leaving a firefighter we don't just sit -- apart and we don't just talk about wages.

And hours we talk about how to be safe as a firefight at the gear that we whereas firefighters apartments that we ride on.

To protect and serve our communities.

Another thing is if you look at them some employee protections.

Four for instance on -- teachers and left out so -- or west -- Wisconsin women.

That have to actually where part of their eclectic -- going out after actually Wear dresses.

Pueblo -- -- you have to Wear high heels so that again collecting part is not just hours away -- it's not working conditions and also public safe.

I Aniston isn't the big issue in the out would look like to Marty does Al I've served my question -- was a little more directed.

I at any you talk about safety and firefighters as I understand it -- from rock.

That this new provision in the collective bargaining exempted firefighters and police sauces so we're talking about other public workers is that right certain.

-- -- a search so we were exempt from pac ten and this current form.

-- but we are hit by state -- -- I was in Beloit Wisconsin just yesterday they had to lay off five firefighters were taught while public safety -- lay -- five firefighters because -- cut in state aid.

To them and as a -- so it does affect us -- a -- Scott Scott Walker is put in place does affect fire in place and turn it affects public safety -- Now imagine this teachers the teachers -- we told to Wear dresses below their -- where's this.

I believe with the west Alice.

And -- what I under what theory how does this happen this is the first I'm hearing about this but did tell me how this this comes into the -- What's it.

What happens because their collective bargaining contract has been exhausted so now they have -- -- at -- -- and books.

And -- handlers are put together by superintendents and school boards to direct employees and teachers on what they're.

Dress to be as opposed to what they should be I suppose -- hours and working conditions of these two.

So you look at of that now I'll get it to -- actually.

-- I'm down pentagon does create is a person heard it our out coming out in terms at all I thought that I talk a lot about Bagram.

Talk a lot of them that's why I asked -- okay -- and went went Governor Walker took office he would three point six billion dollar budget deficit he had to deal with.

And he and -- by the constitution bylaws state Wisconsin you -- -- -- a submit a balanced budget legislature has to balance budgets in this word a year ago and you would lieutenant governor working with the aid we're democratic governor well when you've done differently.

The -- said.

-- first well what I wouldn't do is give tax breaks to corporations in January.

And and we investment there'll be over the next ten years will be 2.3 billion dollars and massive tax cuts to corporations when I would've done is Gaza -- that statement does.

-- -- -- backs are working citizens of our state so he gives tax breaks in January event come February.

He he has to be balanced budget -- backs middle class citizens on our education our kids.

On middle class citizens teachers nurses firefighters.

Gender snowplow drivers so that's what we wouldn't we need a budget that has true shared sacrifice you know we talk about shared sacrifice -- right now seems like we sacrificed.

And they share the -- -- read these I I taken for the purpose these tax breaks I haven't seen them you know the better I get.

Those that was I assume to attract business to the state and two and mental focus on jobs is that is that what the purposes.

We need yes and we need tax we need corporations are state we need industry in -- state.

We need business that's in our state but we need to share sacrifice and tax break five.

But tax rates would only account -- accountability to create jobs is what we have a problem.

You have to give back to communities in order to get a tax -- and that's what we're not saying the same tax breaks -- no accountability.

-- so you viewing -- -- -- -- the tax breaks in January to corporations and address yeah I'd recover this three point six billion dollar.

Deficit that the governor faced so what would you have to how would you -- and -- revenue to account for that dead deficit what would you -- besides not have these tax breaks to corporations in January.

I think you got to look at at people like -- Hendrix was one of Scott Walker's body billionaires who pay no corporate tax last year.

And and is worth or two point eight billion dollars so I think if you look at the tax breaks and loopholes that we have in our state.

If -- were still some of local loop holes I would imagine you find more -- three point six billion dollars to balance the budget.

So your theory -- and get out revision of the Wisconsin tax code would be the way to handle this budget deficit of three point six billion give or take -- couple nine ISM.

What what my -- my but my my theory would be that we look at all avenues but we don't just.

Automatically give tax breaks to corporations and and balanced budget on the backs are -- citizens of our state.

LB my theory that's we need to look at to have true shared sacrifice in -- state.

If intern did any idea sort of what the cost savings has been an album with complete the collective bargain I'm not suggesting -- not -- a sign and the -- trying to understand what what the the number is Scott pet has get Governor Walker put out a number how much money he has recoup their recovered -- merged somehow.

Refined from last.

I have not seen those numbers Greta but if -- last year when you talk about cost savings.

We talk about collective bargaining cost savings by -- not just about costs like the bar has bought -- on the working conditions of public safety.

If you remember last year the units are being affected by a -- conceded to the concessions on the health care and also repentance but he had -- -- for a into a power -- and there is no doubt in my mind when he talked about divide and conquer.

In a video that surfaced two weeks ago and that's exactly what I was trying to do last year.

Divide and conquer state in his own words he said he wanted to drop the bomb on our state and that's what his thoughts -- this is not about Clinton bartering the small Governor -- trying to take over state.

And divide -- -- for years to come.

I think right now the polls show guys in the margin there but your player campaign is a little bit down from the Republican campaign I'm curious when you have the light or would you like get President Obama.

To come into Wisconsin and campaign -- because he took the state by twelve or fourteen points in 08 would he be helpful.

I believe he would be helpful but -- -- has huge huge busy agenda.

I'm so we right now -- you know.

Both partners please please don't.

He's he's doing isn't some campaign when he's done some campaign -- -- some fund -- and so they can be some adjustment would he be good what do you.

I think your way and I -- brother about what what what we're looking at right now is working with people here in the state.

And talking to people that may get our message out there -- -- to count so that's what we're focused on right now we have twelve days left.

And now the pressure is on.

How about given that -- the campaign Obama campaign it probably like to do that maybe -- convention the command at a we don't have time right now.

Right and it mr.

McDonough thank you very much nice to talk -- we'll be watching you know much in love to watch was -- politics thanks for joining us.

Thank you.

-- --

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Wisconsin's Lt. Governor seat also up for grabs

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