In Wisconsin, our state motto is "Forward" because our state has a proud tradition of working together to solve problems.
After our campaign ended in November, I was hopeful that Scott Walker would rise above divisive politics to unite Wisconsinites from across our state to create jobs and fix the budget mess in Madison.
Unfortunately, that is not what has happened. Instead of bringing all stakeholders to the table to find solutions, Scott Walker has declared an ideological war.
Instead of talking with teachers, nurses, and law enforcement personnel to work together on a solution to our budget crisis, Scott Walker is dividing Wisconsinites by attempting to end the collective bargaining rights Wisconsin public employees have had since 1959.
Help me show the entire country that Wisconsin still moves forward together by donating $19.59 and by standing with the thousands of hard-working Wisconsinites who want their voices in the work place heard.
It didn’t have to be this way.
As the Chief Executive of our state’s largest city, I know that Wisconsin is facing tough economic choices and is in a dire financial situation. Members of all the major unions know this too — and they have already agreed to make the financial concessions Scott Walker has asked of them.
I also know that Scott Walker is more interested in playing politics than solving the states budget problems. He deliberately packaged these public employee concessions with a push to strip workers of most bargaining rights because he has put his political agenda ahead of the needs of the people he serves.
Tell Scott Walker to end his ideological war now by donating $19.59 and show that you stand for a compromise that allows Wisconsin’s hard-working teachers, nurses and law enforcement personnel to retain their right to a voice in the workplace.
As Mayor of Milwaukee, I faced a budget crisis similar to the one that Scott Walker is facing as Governor. After the stock market collapsed in 2008, Milwaukee was faced with an unexpected $49 million payment to the city pension fund. Instead of attacking others, I tackled the problem head on by bringing everyone to the table — unions, workers, budget directors, business leaders, and department heads — to find solutions to the problem.
The result? By working together we cut spending and the city didn’t have to borrow a penny. Now the city pension is funded at over 100% and has zero debt.
But we were only able to achieve the spending cuts that the City of Milwaukee needed to solve our pension crisis by working together with everyone.
The issues that face our state are too important for us to face them divided. It’s time to stand up and make our voices heard so we can go forward together and get Wisconsin moving again.
Tom Barrett is the mayor of Milwaukee.
