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Wis. Gov. Scott Walker breaks down the challenges and what Republican governors hope to see from the president the next four years
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Effort tonight the rising cost of obamacare the fierce fight over immigration the growing battles with the unions.
Governors across the country bracing for the next four years so what does the Republican governors expect to see during round two of the Obama administration.
Wisconsin governor Scott Walker -- -- -- -- governor.
Good evening good to be a cigarette a nice to added governor first your thought on the president's inaugural address today.
Well it's always days like this are always very uplifting but the the rubber hits the road the next couple days it.
I think for the thirty states have Republican governors were hoping -- a president's willing to work with the states.
Give us some authority to act -- behalf of the taxpayers we can do that.
We're gonna have some good progress but ultimately it's got to be about growth in getting people back to work and the best way to do that is through limited government and putting more money back in the -- the American taxpayer.
Specifically what would you like to see him do.
Well I think in numbers -- at least talk about things -- suppose like Medicaid and other issues that come up in the budget over and over again and empower states.
Democrat Republican governor -- Power governors to go out and and make decisions on a state by state basis not one size fits all.
Type approach I think for a number of us would like to have that can approach we've shown.
In states like Wisconsin elsewhere that even though we inherited a budget deficit years ago we now the budget surplus.
Giving states giving innovators at the local level.
The authority to do things without as much federal insurance -- and the -- would be great but -- to see if that can happen to get the president's talked about flexibility for.
Announced the time to make it happen and I think he's got willing partners at the till -- the state level if he's willing to help give a second flexibility.
He said he talked about flexibility for have you actually seen it out and -- be asked for.
We have not been asked for now -- Republican governors but even to the National Governors Association has been a lot of talk about the need for that.
That's something we're hoping that'll happen particularly because we know there's a difference between Republicans controlling the house and Democrats controlling for the presidency as well as the United States senate and if they ultimately want to get things done.
One of the best ways to get things done on behalf American people and give that kind of authority back to the governors at state levels.
You've got a good mix of Democrat Republican governors out there but.
Part of it's not just about a Medicaid and about spending it's ultimately it about getting this economy going again and I think to me that the best we can do that.
Is by putting more money back in the hands of the American people not more money back in the hands of the government the state.
North the local level or certainly at that -- at the federal level and so that's going to be a part of our discussion I think many of us is governors.
Are hoping that.
Different is the future.
-- -- disaster stand by for second Vice President Biden is speaking at the inaugural ball let's -- and we're gonna go back to assassin assassin governor Scott Walker.
Governor out of this has been 36 hours of talk celebration here in the city inauguration we do this every four years but now -- going to be back to business tomorrow morning.
I'm curious how do you characterize the state of.
Republican Party.
Well I think it's so a lot of soul searching going on and some people right after the election suggestion somehow that Republicans -- Should change their core principles I'm not one of those I think the core principles we stand for strong.
And I think that is still a center right America is certainly a state by state in the thirty some states that Republican governors.
But I do think it's important.
That we have a message that -- described at least in many ways is more relevant to where people are whether there.
Working fairways whether the young folks Comerica -- where -- their new found immigrants whether they're ethnic minorities are.
Any other group out there we've talked about this lacks election cycle.
I think our message of limited government greater frugality ultimately leading to more freedom and more prosperity for all of our people.
Is a great message but we've got to find a better way that -- making that message now owned it and getting out the places that Republicans.
And typically at least they actually have been going issue as governors we do that every day and that's something we could learn a Washington.
You mentioned immigrants and immigration is something is going to be hot and everyone's radar -- high and there -- radar screen.
What would you suggest that about immigration policy -- country.
Why think you know we think about it whether it's my ancestors from Ireland and Germany.
Many generations ago awards.
People like my in laws of my brother said the family just came a generation ago for Mexico.
In every case.
The people who by and large have come to America have come with the dream of living a better life for their children getting an education working hard many cases starting up their own businesses living the American dream and we ought to find a way to make that more possible that's also means we live in a society rules.
And so we need to abide by the laws but I think there are practical ways -- -- -- fourth and abide by those laws.
But do sort of way where any ethnic group no matter where they come from can live that piece of the American dream and that's -- does that mean conservatives -- Republicans stand for.
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Well I think clearly there's got to be a well thought out process in doing that there's got to be a balance between respect for the law but also -- that.
-- -- one of the things overlooked in all the talk about securing the border which is important.
Is that -- even got a mess when it comes to the federal agency that controls immigration it's it's very difficult that's an area where we've got makers people want to comment.
And work hard -- live the American dream I don't care where they come from Mexico or Canada or anywhere in Europe or Africa or anywhere else around.
This great globe with people wanna come here and add value they want to work hard they want to live the American dream that's what America's all about that we've if you throw away what -- that -- But what we do but the ones who -- here.
Well I think that's got to be a part of the process because again there's a lot of folks have been.
Waiting in line and there's got to be a legitimate -- for those who sought to come in this country legally and do so in a way that respects that respects the efforts of those currently awaiting those of the past.
And still not devastate this nation's economy that we are a country of laws -- gotta respect that.
But we also got to find a reasonable way to move this forward and not get bogged down -- -- so often have in the past.
In the federal bureaucracy which I think is largely the reason we -- the problem we have today.
Governor thank you sir nice to see if you -- to be -- -- Greta.
