>> PRESENTATION OF "HERE & NOW"
IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY THE
ANIMAL DENTISTRY AND ORAL
SURGERY SPECIALISTS OF MILWAUKEE
OSHKOSH, AND MINNEAPOLIS, A
VETERINARY TEAM WORKING WITH PET
OWNERS AND FAMILY VETERINARIANS
THROUGHOUT WISCONSIN, PROVIDING
CARE FOR ORAL DISEASE AND DENTAL
PROBLEMS OF SMALL COMPANION
ANIMALS.
ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FOR "HERE &
NOW" IS PROVIDED BY THE LE
PHILLIPS FAMILY FOUNDATION.
>> WISCONSIN IS OPEN FOR
BUSINESS.
>> THAT'S GOVERNOR-ELECT SCOTT
WALKER JUMPING RIGHT IN.
I'M FREDERICA FREYBERG.
TONIGHT, A POST ELECTION
ROUNDUP.
WE'LL TALK WITH NEW STATE SENATE
LEADERSHIP AS WELL AS MINORITY
LEADER-IN-WAITING.
WE'LL TAKE A LOOK AT THE NEW
AGENDA HEADING TO CONGRESS.
BUT FIRST, WISCONSIN'S
GOVERNOR-ELECT TOOK TO THE STEPS
OF THE CAPITOL THE DAY AFTER
DEFEATING MILWAUKEE MAYOR TOM
BARRETT.
TUESDAY'S ELECTION SAW WHAT
APPEARED TO BE UNPRECEDENTED
STRAIGHT PARTY TICKET VOTING IN
WISCONSIN.
WALKER AND REPUBLICAN U.S.
SENATE CANDIDATE RON JOHNSON.
>> TOMORROW WE START THE HARD
WORK.
>> BOTH WON BY AN IDENTICAL 52%
TO 47% MARGIN.
RUSS FEINGOLD WAS ON THE SHORT
END OF THAT RACE.
BOTH HOUSES OF THE STATE
LEGISLATURE ALSO CHANGED HANDS
FROM A DEMOCRATIC MAJORITY TO
REPUBLICAN, WITH REPUBLICANS
GAINING 14 SEATS TO THE BLEE ASSEMBLY
AND FOUR SEATS IN THE SENATE.
DEMOCRATS ALSO LOST TWO
CONGRESSIONAL SEATS.
IN THE 8TH DISTRICT RIBBLE
OUSTED KAGEN AND SEAN DUFFY
DEFEATED SENATE SENATOR JULIE
LASSA, WHO WAS DRAFTED AS A
CANDIDATE AFTER DAVID OBEY
DECIDED TO RETIRE.
J.B. VAN HOLLEN DEFEATED
DEMOCRAT SCOTT HASSEN.
THE ONLY DEMOCRAT TO WIN A
STATEWIDE RACE WAS SECRETARY OF
STATE DOUG LA FOLLETTE.
MEANWHILE, WALKER SAYS WITH
GREAT POWER, THAT BEING BOTH
HOUSES OF THE LEGISLATURE AND
THE EXECUTIVE SEAT, COMES GREAT
RESPONSIBILITY.
>> I THINK IT'S BASICALLY PUT UP
OR SHUT UP TIME.
WE HAVE A CHARGE.
WE HAVE A MANDATE FROM THE
VOTERS OF THIS STATE, AND IT'S
ONE WE DON'T TAKE LIGHTLY.
>> WALKER HIT THE GROUND
RUNNING, TALKING OUTSIDE THE
CAPITOL UNDER THE BANNER
WISCONSIN IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS.
>> WE'RE SENDING A STRONG
MESSAGE TO EMPLOYERS BOTH THOSE
HERE AND THOSE LOOKING TO COME
TO THE GREAT STATE OF WISCONSIN,
THERE'S A NEW APPROACH.
WE'RE AGGRESSIVE ABOUT ADDING
JOBS THIS STATE.
WE WANT TO BE READY TO GO TWO
MONTHS FROM TODAY AS WE ARE
SWORN IN, BUT CALL A SPECIAL
SESSION ON JOBS.
>> THE SAME DAY HE BECAME
GOVERNOR-ELECT WALKER WAS
ALREADY DEALING WITH THE NEWS
THAT THE KOHLER COMPANY WAS
LAYING OFF 350 WORKERS IN
WISCONSIN.
>> IN TERMS OF WHAT THEY'RE
LOOKING FOR SPECIFICALLY,
OBVIOUSLY BUILDING A BETTER
BUSINESS CLIMATE, MAKING IT MORE
COST EFFECTIVE TO DO BUSINESS IS
OUR TOP PRIORITY, BUT TO THE
EXTENT WE ARE OFFER SPECIFIC
THINGS, WE'RE GOING TO DO THAT.
>> MEANWHILE, THAT GREAT POWER
HELD BY REPUBLICANS INCLUDES
BROTHERS FROM DODGE COUNTY AT
THE HELM.
REPRESENTATIVE JEFF FITZGERALD
LIKELY TO BE PICKED AS SPEAKER,
AND HIS BROTHER SCOTT
FITZGERALD, MAJORITY LEADER.
WE SAT DOWN WITH THE SENATOR TO
TALK REPUBLICAN POWER BASE.
>> YOU KNOW, THE ONE THING WE'RE
LOOKING FORWARD TO IS WORKING
WITH GOVERNOR WALKER.
CERTAINLY HE'S GOING TO HIT THE
GROUND RUNNING WITH A REFORM
BUDGET.
AND IT'S SIMILAR TO WHAT WE'RE
SEEING FROM OTHER REPUBLICAN
GOVERNORS THROUGHOUT THE NATION
WHO ARE REALLY SHAKING THINGS UP
AND SAYING, LISTEN, WE'RE GOING
TO LISTEN TO THE ELECTORATE.
SO HOPEFULLY WE CAN WORK KIND OF
DIRECTLY WITH HIM UP UNTIL
FEBRUARY, BEFORE HE ANNOUNCES
THAT DOCUMENT, THAT WE'RE NOT
SURPRISED TO SEE SOME OF THE
THINGS THAT WE SUPPORT IN THAT
BILL.
>> SOME THINGS LIKE WHAT?
>> CERTAINLY I THINK ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT AND THE JOB CREATION
STUFF IS KIND OF THE RHETORIC OF
THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL, BUT THE
REALITY IS THAT THERE'S A COUPLE
OF DEPARTMENTS WITHIN STATE
GOVERNMENT THAT HAVE LITERALLY
RUN OFF THE TRACKS, AND ONE IS
THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE.
I THINK THAT THERE'S A LOT OF
CHANGES THAT NEED TO BE MADE.
THE DOYLE ADMINISTRATION DIDN'T
UTILIZE THAT AGENCY WELL.
THE OTHER IS THE DEPARTMENT OF
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, WHICH HAS
BECOME THE STATE UNEMPLOYMENT
OFFICE, USED TO BE AN AGENCY
THAT DEVELOPED A VISION FOR OUR
WORKFORCE AND THAT HAS CERTAINLY
NOT EXISTED UNDER THE DOYLE
ADMINISTRATION.
AND EVEN SOME OF THE
QUASI-GOVERNMENTAL STUFF LIKE
FORWARD WISCONSIN, WHICH WAS
GUTTED UNDER THE DOYLE
ADMINISTRATION.
THAT USED TO BE A THORN IN THE
SIDE OF MANY OF THE GOVERNORS
THROUGHOUT THE MIDWEST, AS
WISCONSIN LURED AND WORKED WITH
CORPORATIONS TO DEVELOP JOBS.
SO THOSE ARE SOME OF MY IDEAS
THAT I HOPE GOVERNOR WALKER WILL
LISTEN TO AND HOPEFULLY
INCORPORATE IN HIS BUDGET.
>> HOW DIFFICULT WILL THAT
BUDGET BE AND HOW DIFFICULT WILL
IT BE TO HAVE ANY NEW KINDS OF
PROGRAMS GOING FORWARD TOWARD
JOB CREATION IN THE MIDST OF
WHAT WE BELIEVE WILL BE A LOT OF
TAX CUTS?
>> YOU KNOW, I'M LEERY OF SAYING
THAT THE ELECTIONS WERE A
MANDATE FOR REPUBLICANS, BECAUSE
I DON'T THINK THE PUBLIC IS
ENAMORED WITH THE REPUBLICAN
PARTY OR ANYTHING.
BUT I THINK ONE THING THEY DID
SAY VERY CLEAR WAS WE'RE GOING
TO GIVE YOU A LOT OF LEEWAY.
WE'RE GOING TO ALLOW YOU TO
DEVELOP A NEW STRUCTURE FOR
GOVERNMENT THAT, YOU KNOW, WHEN
WE HEAR THAT THERE'S SOME
FEATHERS BEING RUFFLED, WE'RE
GOING TO BE OKAY WITH THAT.
IF THAT MEANS TAKING ON THE
UNIONS, IF IT MEANS, YOU KNOW,
NOT NECESSARILY DOING THE RIGHT
THING WHEN IT COMES TO THE
TEACHERS' UNION, WE'RE GOING TO
BE OKAY WITH THAT.
AND IF WE DON'T MAKE THAT TYPE
OF NOISE, I THINK PEOPLE ARE
GOING TO BE UPSET WITH THE
REPUBLICANS THIS TIME.
>> WHAT KINDS OF EXAMPLES DO YOU
HAVE ABOUT RUFFLING FEATHERS IN
THOSE AREAS, WITH UNIONS OR WITH
TEACHERS' UNIONS?
>> I THINK IT'S LIKE MANY OF THE
CAMPAIGN COMMERCIALS LISTED.
EVERYTHING'S ON THE TABLE.
I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANY PART
OF STATE GOVERNMENT THAT
SHOULDN'T BE EITHER WHITTLED
DOWN OR CHANGED IN A DRAMATIC
FASHION.
AND I THINK SCOTT WALKER GETS
THAT.
I THINK THAT'S WHAT HE RAN ON.
SO CONTROL OF THE SENATE,
CONTROL OF THE ASSEMBLY AND WITH
THE REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR I THINK
WE'RE IN THE RIGHT PLACE AT THE
RIGHT TIME.
>> WHAT ABOUT MAJOR BILLS THAT
YOUR CAUCUS WOULD ADVANCE?
>> SENATE BILL 1 I HOPE AFTER
TALKING TO A COUPLE OF THE
REPUBLICAN SENATORS WILL BE
PHOTO I.D. TO VOTE.
YOU KNOW, LAST APRIL IN THE
SPRING ELECTIONS WE SAW
INCIDENTS AND REPORTS AROUND THE
STATE OF PEOPLE TRYING TO VOTE
MULTIPLE TIMES, MULTIPLE
LOCATIONS.
WE DON'T ANYTHING FORMAL YET,
BUT CERTAINLY JUST IN THE
NOVEMBER ELECTIONS WE HEARD THE
SAME THING WAS HAPPENING CERTAIN
PARTS OF THE STATE.
I THINK THE PHOTO I.D. BILL
WOULD HELP STEM THAT, AND I
THINK I'M GOING TO GET SOME
PRETTY GOOD AGREEMENT FROM
CAUCUS MEMBERS ON LAUNCHING THAT
AS SENATE BILL 1.
>> LET'S TICK THROUGH SOME
OTHERS THAT MIGHT COME UP.
REINSTATEMENT OF QEO.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANY
QUESTION THAT IT'S GOING TO BE
PART OF SOMETHING THAT THE
REPUBLICANS IN THE SENATE WORK
ON.
IT WAS ONE EFFECTIVE TOOL THAT
WAS AVAILABLE TO SCHOOL BOARDS
TO SOMEHOW FORECAST AND MANAGE
THEIR OWN BUDGETS AND, YOU KNOW,
UNFORTUNATELY, IT WAS ELIMINATED
IN THIS KIND OF BOGUS DEBATE
THAT HAPPENED IN THE FINANCE
COMMITTEE.
BUT ABSOLUTELY IT'S ON THE
TABLE.
>> CONCEAL/CARRY?
>> THAT WILL WORK ITS WAY
THROUGH THE PROCESS LIKE IT
ALWAYS DOES.
THERE WILL BE MULTIPLE BILLS
AUTHORED PROBABLY IN THE
ASSEMBLY AND THE SENATE AND
WE'LL SEE WHAT THE FINAL VERSION
LOOKS LIKE.
>> REPEELING THE REPEALING THE SMOKING BAN?
>> I DON'T SEE THAT HAPPENING.
I DON'T THINK THERE'S A
LEGISLATIVE MOMENTUM TO GO BACK
TO WHERE WE WERE.
>> ANOTHER POWER SEAT SOON TO BE
HELD BY REPUBLICANS AT THE STATE
CAPITOL, CHAIR OF THE POWERFUL
BUDGET-WRITING COMMITTEE, JOINT
FINANCE.
REPRESENTATIVE ROBIN VOS OF
BURLINGTON EXPECTS A COCHAIR
SEAT AT THAT TABLE AND HE JOINS
US NOW.
THANKS VERY MUCH FOR BEING HERE.
>> GOOD EVENING.
>> BEFORE WE GET INTO THE BUDGET
MESS, WHAT'S YOUR REACTION TO
THE DOYLE ADMINISTRATION
STOPPING THE HIGH-SPEED RAIL
PROJECT IN ITS TRACKS THIS WEEK?
>> I WAS PLEASANTLY SURPRISED.
THE ELECTIONS WERE A REFERENDUM
ON THE DIRECTION PEOPLE WANTED
WISCONSIN TO GO.
GOVERNOR-ELECT WALKER COULD NOT
HAVE BEEN ANY CLEAR ON WHAT HIS
POSITION WAS ON THE NOT SO
HIGH-SPEED TRAIN.
LEGISLATORS ALL TALKED ABOUT
THIS ISSUE.
THE MESSAGE WAS RESOUNDINGLY
HEARD THAT WE THINK IT'S
SOMETHING WE CANNOT AFFORD.
IT SHOULD NOT BE PUSHED FORWARD.
I'M GLAD THAT THE DOYLE
ADMINISTRATION HAS HIT PAUSE AND
HOPEFULLY THEY'RE GOING TO HIT
REJECT.
>> IT'S BEEN SAID GOVERNOR DOYLE
WANTS TO SHOW THE IMMEDIATE JOB
LOSS IMPLICATIONS OF STOPPING
THE PROJECT.
DO YOU VIEW THIS AS SHORT-TERM
PAIN FOR LONG-TERM GAIN?
>> YEAH.
YOU SAID IT BEST.
WHEN YOU SPENT A BILLION, YOU
GOT TO GIVE THE MONEY TO
SOMEBODY.
THE PROBLEM IS WHAT WE DO IN THE
LONG RUN AND IS THAT THE BEST
UTILIZATION OF THOSE RESOURCES.
SOME HAVE SAID IT WOULD BE
DIFFICULT TO GET THE MONEY TO GO
TOWARD ROADS AND BRIDGES, BUT
I'M AN OPT MISS.
WE HAVE A BRAND NEW CONGRESS AND
PAUL RYAN AND I AM LOOKING
FORWARD TO WORKING WITH HIM AND
THE GOVERNOR TO USE THIS MONEY
TOWARD ROADS AND BRIDGES.
>> WHAT ABOUT THE TRAIN
MANUFACTURING JOBS IN MILWAUKEE?
>> WE DON'T WANT TO LOSE ANY
BUSINESSES THAT ARE HERE IN
WISCONSIN, BUT I DON'T THINK WE
SHOULD MAKE DECISIONS ON
SPENDING A BILLION DOLLARS IN
LIGHT OF A FEW JOBS THAT WILL BE
CREATED OR RETAINED IN
MILWAUKEE.
WE HAVE A LONG-TERM COMMITMENT
IF THIS TRAIN GETS BUILT THAT
THE STATE TAXPAYERS ARE GOING TO
HAVE TO FUND.
WE HAVE A TRANSPORTATION FUND
THAT'S IN DEFICIT AND WE HAVE
REAL IMMEDIATE NEEDS IN ROADS
AND BRIDGES.
SO I HOPE WE CAN GET THAT MONEY
WHERE IT HAS THE BIGGEST BANG
FOR THE BUCK.
>> I KNOW THAT THE
GOVERNOR-ELECT WAS MEETING WITH
THE FISCAL BUREAU THIS WEEK AND
DOYLE ADMINISTRATION BUDGET
DIRECTORS, BUT NOW THAT LANDMINE
IS IN YOUR LAPS.
HOW DAUNTING IS THAT?
>> IT'S A HUGE TASK.
UNFORTUNATELY, WE'VE HAD EIGHT
YEARS OF MISMANAGEMENT UNDER THE
PREVIOUS GOVERNOR AND THEY HAVE
MADE A BAD SITUATION MUCH WORSE.
BUT I AM AN OPTIMIST.
GOVERNOR WALKER HAS A VERY
AGGRESSIVE PLAN THAT FOCUSES ON
RIGHT-SIZING STATE GOVERNMENT.
WE TRIED THE ANSWER THAT THE
OTHER SIDE PUT FORWARD, MASSIVE
TAX INCREASES THAT HAVE DONE
NOTHING TO GROW JOBS.
SO I'M HOPEFUL THAT AS GOVERNOR
WALKER COMES IN TO DO HIS PLAN
TO GET 250,000 JOBS TO OUR STATE
IN THE NEXT FOUR YEARS, WE'LL
BEGIN THAT ON DAY ONE WITH HIS
SPECIAL SESSION CALL TO HELP JOB
CREATORS, NOT CHASE THEM OUT OF
THE STATE.
>> WHAT KIND OF RIGHT SIZING IS
ANTICIPATED?
HE HAS TALKED ABOUT WANTING TO
CUT BACK ON A NUMBER OF TAXES
AND THOSE ARE OBVIOUSLY REVENUE
REDUCERS.
ARE THERE ANY CUTS YOU BELIEVE
THAT WILL BE OFF THE TABLE FOR
THE MAJORITY?
>> WELL, I THINK WE NEED TO TAKE
A LOOK AT WHAT OUR PRIORITIES
REALLY ARE.
NUMBER ONE, WE'VE GOT TO KNOW
WHAT THE REAL NUMBERS ARE.
THE DOYLE ADMINISTRATION EVEN
NOW IS STILL WORKING ON THE
BUDGET REQUESTS THAT THEY PUT IN
FOR AGENCIES.
SO WE DON'T KNOW THE TRUE SIZE
OF THE DEFICIT UNTIL WE GET ALL
THOSE NUMBERS.
THE GOVERNOR HAS HIS OWN
PRIORITIES AND I'D LIKE TO WORK
WITH HIM ON MAKING SURE THOSE
HAPPEN.
SO I DON'T WANT TO SAY ANYTHING
IS EITHER ON OR OFF THE TABLE
UNTIL I KNOW HOW BAD THE PROBLEM
IS.
WE KNOW THAT WE HAVE HAD SOURCES
OF REVENUE PUT ON THE TABLE, TAX
INCREASES, BY THE OTHER SIDE,
AND I AND OTHER REPUBLICANS HAVE
PROMISED WE ARE NOT GOING TO
MAKE THE SITUATION WORSE.
IN FACT, WE'RE GOING TO HOPE TO
CUT SOME TAXES.
BUT IT'S GOING TO TAKE TIME
UNTIL WE KNOW THE EXACT AMOUNT
OF THE DEFICIT.
>> WHAT ABOUT FOR YOU YOURSELF,
ANYTHING THAT WOULD BE OFF THE
TABLE?
>> WELL, I THINK WE WANT TO MAKE
SURE THAT WE HAVE PUBLIC SAFETY
PROTECTED.
THAT'S AN AREA THAT'S ALWAYS
BEEN A PRIORITY FOR REPUBLICANS
AND I THINK FOR MOST PEOPLE IN
WISCONSIN.
WE WANT TO MINIMIZE THE IMPACTS
TO THOSE CORE SERVICES THAT THE
STATE OF WISCONSIN PREPARES AND
PROPOSES FOR SO MANY PEOPLE.
MY HOPE WOULD BE THAT WE CAN
SPARE EDUCATION, MUCH OF THE
CUTS THAT ARE POTENTIALLY
LOOMING.
WE HAVE TO LOOK AT MEDICAID TO
SEE IF THERE ARE WAYS WE CAN
HELP TO ENSURE WE MAKE THE
SYSTEM MORE EFFICIENT WITHOUT
PUTTING PEOPLE OUT OF THE
PROGRAM THAT ARE DESPERATELY IN
NEED OF IT.
WE GOT TO PRIORIZE ALL THOSE
AREAS.
THEY HAVE LEFT US WITH A LOT AND
BY MISMANAGEMENT FOR EIGHT YEARS
IT'S GOING TO TAKE SHORT-TERM
PAIN TO RIGHT SIZE THE SHIP.
>> I HEARD AN INTERVIEW WITH
SCOTT WALKER RECENTLY WHERE HE
SAID THAT PRIVATIZATION OF EVERY
PROGRAM AND AGENCY WAS ON THE
TABLE FOR EVERYTHING BUT
CORRECTIONS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT.
IS PRIVATIZATION SOMETHING THAT
YOU'LL BE LOOKING AT IN JOINT
FINANCE?
>> YEAH, DEFINITELY.
NOW, OBVIOUSLY WE WANT TO ONLY
DO PRIVATIZATION WHERE IT SHOWS
A REAL COST SAVINGS TO
TAXPAYERS.
WE'RE NOT GOING TO PRIVATIZE
JUST TO DO IT.
BUT I WANT TO KEEP EVERY OPTION
ON THE TABLE, LOOKING AT
PARTNERSHIPS WITH PRIVATE
ORGANIZATIONS, LOOKING AT THE
POTENTIAL TO SHARE PROGRAMS
AMONG LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.
WE HAVE WAYS TO MAKE GOVERNMENT
MORE EFFICIENT WITHOUT AFFECTING
THE AVERAGE CITIZEN.
BUT IT'S GOING TO REQUIRE CREATE
ACTIVITY.
ACTIVITYIVITY.
>> ALL RIGHT.
REPRESENTATIVE ROBIN VOS, THANKS
VERY MUCH.
>> THANKS.
HAVE A GREAT DAY.
>> YOU TOO.
THE DAYTIME DRAMA "AS THE
CAPITOL TURNS" HAS A PLOT TWIST
IN IT FOR THE DEMOCRATS.
MEMBERS ARE REVIEWING THEIR
RANKS AND ROLLS.
DONNA SEIDEL IS A POTENTIAL
MINORITY LEADER-IN-WAITING.
>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.
>> I WANTED TO GET YOUR REACTION
TO THE ADMINISTRATION STOPPING
THE HIGH-SPEED RAIL PROJECT DOWN
THIS WEEK.
>> WELLI WELL, I HOPE PEOPLE REALLY
JUST SIT BACK AND MAKE A VERY,
VERY CAREFUL ANALYSIS OF WHAT IS
AT STAKE.
THERE ARE $810 MILLION AVAILABLE
TO WISCONSIN FOR THE DEVELOPMENT
OF THIS PROJECT.
BY REJECTING THAT MONEY, IT IS
NOT BEING RETURNED TO THE
TAXPAYERS, BUT WILL, RATHER, GO
TO ANOTHER STATE.
ITIT HAS BEEN TARGETED FOR RAIL.
THIS COULD MEAN IN WISCONSIN AND
WOULD MEAN FOR US THE BEGINNING
OF ADVANCING A PUBLIC
TRANSPORTATION SECTOR THAT I
THINK IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR OUR
FUTURE AND GROWTH.
AND, SECONDLY, WE WOULD LOOK AT
IMMEDIATELY ABOUT 5500 JOBS,
GREAT-PAYING JOBS, ENGINEERING
AND CONSTRUCTION.
SO WHILE THE GOVERNOR NOW HAS
GIVEN PEOPLE AN OPPORTUNITY TO
TAKE A BREATH, I HOPE THAT WE DO
SOME VERY, VERY THOUGHTFUL
ANALYSIS OF WHAT COULD BE AT
STAKE HERE.
>> ALL RIGHT.
WHAT IS YOUR REACTION TO THE
UTTER SEA CHANGE AT THE CAPITOL?
>> WELL, CLEARLY WISCONSIN WAS
HIT BY THE NATIONAL WAVE ON
TUESDAY NIGHT, AND WE WERE HIT
VERY HARD.
BUT WE ALSO KNOW THAT WINNING
AND LOSING IN THIS FORUM IS NOT
A PERMANENT STATUS.
SO WE ARE ALREADY BEGINNING TO
LOOK FORWARD AND CONCENTRATING
ON OUR REBUILDING EFFORTS.
AND ALSO IT'S REALLY INTERESTING
NOW WISCONSIN IS JOINING 25
OTHER STATES HAVING HAD THE
TOTAL LEGISLATIVE BODY AND
GOVERNOR'S RANKS BEING FILLED BY
REPUBLICANS.
WE'RE NOT ALONE.
>> WHERE DOES IT LEAVE YOUR
PRIORITIES?
>> WELL, OUR PRIORITIES,
FREDERICA, WILL REMAIN
ABSOLUTELY THE SAME.
FIRST AND FOREMOST, WE ARE
COMMITTED TO DOING EVERYTHING WE
CAN TO GROW GOOD-PAYING JOBS FOR
OUR COMMUNITIES, FOR ALL OF THE
STATE OF WISCONSIN.
WE WORKED HARD ON THAT IN THE
LAST TWO YEARS.
WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO THAT.
BUT ALSO WE ARE GOING TO
FIERCELY ADVOCATE FOR ALL OF OUR
CONSTITUENCIES, PARTICULARLY OUR
HARD-WORKING, MIDDLE CLASS
FAMILIES, TO PROTECT OUR
COMMUNITIES AND CERTAINLY WORK
HARD TO MAKE SURE THAT EDUCATION
IS STRONG AND THAT EVERYBODY WHO
NEEDS IT HAS ACCESS TO OUR
QUALITY HEALTH CARE.
>> WHAT WILL YOU FIGHT HARDEST
AGAINST AS THE MAJORITY LEADS
THE WAY HERE?
>> WELL, I THINK WE WILL, AS WE
LOOK AT HOW THIS ENORMOUS BUDGET
DEFICIT IS RESOLVED, THAT IT'S
NOT SOLVED ON THE BACKS OF OUR
MIDDLE CLASS FAMILIES AND SMALL
BUSINESSES, BUT THAT, RATHER,
EVERYBODY FAIRLY SHARES THE
BURDEN, WHICH WE DID BY CLOSING
A MAJOR CORPORATE LOOPHOLE LAST
TIME.
I'M CONCERNED THAT REPUBLICANS
ARE TALKING ABOUT REOPENING THAT
LOOPHOLE, AND I'M AFRAID THEN
THAT BURDEN SHIFTS BACK TO OUR
PROPERTY TAXPAYERS, OUR SENIORS
AND OUR COMMUNITIES.
>> I HAVE HEARD FROM SCOTT
FITZGERALD, THE NEW SENATE
MAJORITY LEADER, AND HE SUGGESTS
THAT THEY WILL NOT BE AFRAID TO
KIND OF DUKE IT OUT WITH THE
UNIONS AND THE TEACHERS' UNIONS.
HOW WILL THAT MANIFEST ITSELF?
>> WELL, ALL OF US HAVE
CERTAINLY SAID FOR THE PAST
SEVERAL WEEKS AND MONTHS THAT
WE'VE GONE TOOR TO DOOR TO DOOR THAT WE
KNOW WITH THE BUDGET SITUATION
WE ARE FACING THAT EVERYTHING IS
ON THE TABLE.
THAT WE NEED TO LOOK AT EVERY
CURRENT PROJECT, DEPARTMENT,
ISSUE AND FIGURE OUT IF THERE
ARE BETTER WAYS, MORE
EFFICIENCIES, SO NOT SURPRISED.
I HOPE THAT WE CAN ALL BE AT THE
TABLE AND JOINTLY COME UP WITH
IDEAS AND SUGGESTIONS FOR MOVING
THE BUDGET AND WISCONSIN
FORWARD.
>> ALL RIGHT.
DONNA SEIDEL, THANKS VERY MUCH.
>> OH, YOU'RE VERY WELCOME.
>> NOW TO THE NEW LOOK OF THE
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
REPUBLICANS TOOK OVER THE HOUSE,
RUNNING ON THEMES OF OVERTURNING
HEALTH CARE REFORM, AMONG
OTHERS.
ONE OF WISCONSIN'S U.S.
DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVES WHO
HAS WORKED HARD ON BEHALF OF
THAT REFORM IS SECOND DISTRICT
CONGRESSWOMAN TAMMY BALDWIN.
SHE JOINS US NOW.
THANKS FOR DOING SO.
>> IT'S A PLEASURE.
>> WHAT IS YOUR REACTION TO THE
HOUSE LOSING THE DEMOCRATIC
MAJORITY?
>> WELL, OBVIOUSLY I'M VERY
DISAPPOINTED.
HOWEVER, I HAVE SERVED IN THE
MINORITY BEFORE, AND I KNOW THAT
I CAN BE QUITE EFFECTIVE IF
INDEED THE NEW GOVERNING PARTY
WANTS TO RISE TO THE OCCASION
AND HELP FACE THE CHALLENGES
THAT OUR NATION FACES.
THEY REALLY HAVE A CHOICE, AND
THAT CHOICE IS WHETHER THEY'RE
GOING TO SPEND THE NEXT TWO
YEARS TRYING TO PRESENT
OBSTACLES TO PRESIDENT OBAMA'S
AGENDA, TRYING TO DEPRIVE HIM OF
A SECOND TERM, OR WHETHER THEY
ARE ACTUALLY GOING TO RISE TO
THE OCCASION AND HELP US PULL
TOGETHER TO RESPOND TO THE VERY
REAL CHALLENGES AND STRUGGLES
OUR NATION FACES RIGHT NOW.
>> RIGHT OUT OF THE CHUTE, THE
FORMER SEEMS TO BE EXACTLY WHAT
THEY'RE INTERESTED AND INTENT ON
DOING.
>> IT'S SO DISAPPOINTING TO HEAR
THEIR LEADERSHIP TALK
IMMEDIATELY ABOUT REPEALING
VARIOUS THINGS AND TRYING TO
DEPRIVE THE ADMINISTRATION OF
ANY FUTURE SUCCESSES ON VERY
IMPORTANT ISSUES THAT FACE OUR
NATION.
AND I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE A
VERY DIFFICULT TWO YEARS IF THAT
IS WHAT THE NEW REPUBLICAN
MAJORITY CHOOSES TO DO.
WE HAVE SUCH SERIOUS ISSUES THAT
WE'RE FACING.
MY CONSTITUENTS, MANY WHO WANT
TO WORK AND ARE STILL LOOKING
FOR WORK, JOB CREATION DOES HAVE
TO REMAIN A CENTRAL FOCUS.
AND OF COURSE SEE THE SUCCESSFUL
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE REFORM
BILL.
IT'S A TALL ORDER THAT NEEDS OUR
ATTENTION.
>> WHAT MIGHT THIS MEAN FOR
HEALTH CARE REFORM?
BECAUSE I UNDERSTAND HOUSE
REPUBLICANS ARE ALREADY VOWING
TO KILL THAT LEGISLATION AND
KIND OF DOING IT IN A SMALL
DEATH KIND OF WAY, NUISANCE
BILLS ALL THE WAY THROUGH
KNOWING THE PRESIDENT WOULD VETO
THIS.
WHAT MIGHT THIS MEAN TO THE
REFORM ITSELF AS IT STANDS?
>> WELL, CERTAINLY THEY ARE
GOING TO HAVE THE POWER TO
PRESENT ANY NUMBER OF OBSTACLES.
OUTRIGHT REPEAL IS CERTAINLY, IN
MY MIND, DISIN DISINGENUOUS.
WE KNOW THE PRESIDENT WOULD VETO
IT IF IT PASSED BOTH HOUSES AND
IT'S VERY UNLIKELY TO PASS THE
U. ISU.S. SENATE.
I THINK THAT'S A MOMENT THAT
REQUIRES US TO PULL TOGETHER AND
SEE THE SUCCESSFUL
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE BILL,
STRENGTHEN IT IN WAYS THAT NEED
STRENGTHENING, LOOK AT
MODIFICATIONS, BECAUSE A VERY
COMPLEX ENDEAVOR, TO REFORM THE
SYSTEM SO THAT ALL AMERICANS
HAVE HIGH-QUALITY, AFFORDABLE
HEALTH CARE.
BUT THAT MUST BE OUR GOAL.
AND I CERTAINLY HOPE THAT WE CAN
PERSUADE THE NEW REPUBLICAN
MAJORITY TO MOVE FORWARD RATHER
THAN MOVE BACKWARDS ON THIS
ISSUE.
>> BACK TO THE CAMPAIGN.
WHAT'S YOUR REACTION TO SENATOR
RUSS FEINGOLD LOSING HIS SEAT?
>> OH, I'M HEARTBROKEN.
I REGARD SENATOR FEINGOLD AS A
MAVERICK, AS AN INDEPENDENT
VOICE FOR WISCONSIN, AND I WAS
VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH THE
CONDUCT OF MANY OF THESE MIDTERM
ELECTIONS.
I THINK THERE WAS SO MUCH
DISINFORMATION OUT THERE THAT A
LOT OF THE SPENDING ON CAMPAIGN
ADS FROM SOURCES WE'LL NEVER
KNOW BECAUSE OF THIS CITIZENS
UNITED DECISION OF THE U.S.
SUPREME COURT.
AND I DIDN'T SPEND A LOT OF TIME
WATCHING TELEVISION AND WATCHING
THE ADVERTISING, BUT I AM AWARE
THAT IT WAS A MOST UNCIVIL AND
IN MANY CASES PRESENTING
MESSAGES THAT WERE COMPLETELY
FALSE.
>> YOU THINK THE DEMOCRATS COULD
BOOST THE ECONOMY?
>> I THINK CERTAINLY SOME DID.
I DID NOT RUN AWAY FROM THE
RECORD OF THIS PAST CONGRESS.
I CERTAINLY VOICED THE
FRUSTRATION THAT WE ALL SHARE
THAT THIS RECOVERY HAS BEEN
SLOWER THAN ANY ONE OF US WOULD
LIKE TO SEE.
BUT TO ME THAT GOES BACK TO HOW
DEEP OF A RECESSION THIS WAS AND
HOW BIG OF A MESS THIS CONGRESS
AND OUR PRESIDENT INHERITED FROM
THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION.
UNFORTUNATELY, THOSE TO BLAME
FOR THIS MESS WEREN'T ON THE
BALLOT THIS PARTICULAR ELECTION,
YET THE FRUSTRATION THAT STILL
IS OUT THERE BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE
LOOKING FOR JOBS STILL AND
STRUGGLING IN WHAT IS A SLOW
RECOVERY.
>> DO YOU THINK THE
ADMINISTRATION'S EFFORTS LOSE
MEANINGFUL TRACTION NOW OR ARE
DEMOCRATS RETHINKING THEIR
METHODS?
>> YOU KNOW, I THINK WE ARE ON
THE RIGHT PATH.
I THINK THE STIMULUS -- I'M
SOMEBODY WHO BELIEVES THAT WAS
THE RIGHT INVESTMENT.
IT FOCUSED ON THE IMMEDIACY OF
PEOPLE WHO WERE OUT OF WORK WITH
EXTENSION OF HEALTH BENEFITS AND
UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE.
IT HAD A VERY FOCUSED STRATEGY
ON THE NEAR TERM AND JOB
CREATION.
BUT ALSO LAID THE SEEDS FOR OUR
FUTURE PROSPERITY AND SUSTAINED
GROWTH.
I THINK WE HAVE TO KEEP ON THAT
TRACK TO FULLY RECOVER, AND I
THINK ANY SORT OF REPEAL ATTEMPT
AT VARIOUS ELEMENTS OF THIS
COULD SET US BACK INTO A DOUBLE
DIP RECESSION.
>> SPEAKING OF REPEAL ATTEMPTS,
WE KNOW THAT GOVERNOR-ELECT
SCOTT WALKER HERE IN WISCONSIN
IS OPPOSED TO THE $810 MILLION
GOING TOWARD THE HIGH-SPEED RAIL
BETWEEN MILWAUKEE AND MADISON.
AND JUST THIS WEEK THE DOYLE
ADMINISTRATION STOPPED THIS
TRAIN, REALLY IN ITS TRACKS.
BUT I KNOW THAT SCOTT WALKER
BELIEVES THAT HE CAN PUT THIS
FEDERAL MONEY TOWARD STATE
HIGHWAY PROJECTS INSTEAD OF THE
HIGH-SPEED RAIL.
WHAT IS YOUR OPINION THAT HE
WILL BE LOOKING TO CONGRESS TO
HELP HIM DO THAT?
>> RIGHT.
WELL, AS THINGS NOW STAND, THIS
ALLOCATION OF DOLLARS IS
SPECIFICALLY FOR HIGH-SPEED RAIL
AND RELATED TRAIN DEPOTS AND
THINGS LIKE THAT.
I CAN'T SPEAK TO WHAT A FUTURE
CONGRESS MIGHT DO IN TERMS OF
REPURPOSING THOSE FUNDS, BUT
TODAY THOSE FUNDS ARE NOT
AVAILABLE FOR OTHER USES, AND IF
THEY AREN'T EXPENDED IN THE
STATE OF WISCONSIN, THEY WILL BE
SENT TO OTHER STATES, WHO I CAN
TELL YOU ARE VERY ANXIOUSLY
HOPING THAT THEY CAN SECURE
THOSE FUNDS.
THE JOB CONSEQUENCES IN
WISCONSIN FOR LETTING GO OF
THESE FUNDS IS DEVASTATING,
WHETHER WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE
THOUSANDS OF JOBS THAT WOULD BE
TEMPORARY IN NATURE AS WE BUILD
THIS HIGH-SPEED RAIL AND THE
RELATED FACILITIES AND THE
TRAINS, OR THE JOBS THAT WOULD
BE PRESENT WHEN IT'S UP AND
RUNNING TO MAINTAIN THE
HIGH-SPEED RAIL PROGRAM.
IT'S DEVASTATING TO OUR ECONOMY.
PLUS, IN MY MIND, THE ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT IMPACT OF HAVING A
HIGH-SPEED RAIL THAT CONNECTS
CHICAGO TO MILWAUKEE TO MADISON
AND ULTIMATELY THE TWIN CITIES.
>> CONGRESSWOMAN TAMMY BALDWIN,
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> THANK YOU.
>> THAT IS ALL THE TIME WE HAVE
TONIGHT.
NEXT WEEK, ART HACKETT WITH THE
FIRST OF A TWO-PART INTERVIEW
WITH FORMER U.S. HEALTH
SECRETARY AND UW-MADISON
CHANCELLOR DONNA SHALALA.
I'M FREDERICA FREYBERG.
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.
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>> PRESENTATION OF "HERE & NOW"
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ANIMAL DENTISTRY AND ORAL
SURGERY SPECIALISTS OF
MILWAUKEE, OSHKOSH AND
MINNEAPOLIS, A VETERINARY TEAM
WORKING WITH PET OWNERS AND
FAMILY VETERINARIANS, PROVIDING
CARE FOR ORAL DISEASE AND DENTAL
PROBLEMS OF SMALL COMPANION
ANIMALS.
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NOW" IS PROVIDED BY THE LE
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