ADVERTISEMENT

Democrats call Walker's waste report misleading

By ASSOCIATED PRESS   Tuesday, January 10, 2012 - 11:02 a.m.
ADVERTISEMENT

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Democrats who served on a commission called by Gov. Scott Walker to identify waste, fraud and abuse in state government say the potential savings identified in the group's final report is misleading.

The commission identified a potential $455 million annual savings from state and local governments in a report posted to its website and dated January.

That included $177 million in savings through cracking down on fraud and misuse in public assistance programs and cutting state agency spending by $50 million a year.

Walker promised during the 2010 campaign to find $300 million a year in government waste, fraud and abuse.

Democratic Sen. Chris Larson of Milwaukee and Rep. Mark Pocan of Madison say the report identified savings that have already been realized or that relies on future federal action.




reader COMMENTS
Click here to view reader comments
(50)
Koch_Bros
Jan 11, 2012 at 2:46 p.m.
Suggest removal

There is a bit of ignorance about what a balanced budget is. Thank Heaven. Balanced Budget is forecasting, not actual financial results.

Thank heavens nobody pays attention to reality and we use this ruse to solidify Republican Patriotic Power, and cut all things dear to liberals or poor people while giving kickbacks to crony businessmen like me.

Thank heavens nobody Wiskochsin's job loss rate. And thank heavens it will take a while for the fallout from crapping up the state's public education system to hit. We can blame that one on liberals somehow.
Beautiful.

Koch_Bros
Jan 11, 2012 at 2:46 p.m.
Suggest removal

There is a bit of ignorance about what a balanced budget is. Thank Heaven. Balanced Budget is forecasting, not actual financial results.

Thank heavens nobody pays attention to reality and we use this ruse to solidify Republican Patriotic Power, and cut all things dear to liberals or poor people while giving kickbacks to crony businessmen like me.

Thank heavens nobody Wiskochsin's job loss rate. And thank heavens it will take a while for the fallout from crapping up the state's public education system to hit. We can blame that one on liberals somehow.
Beautiful.

Koch_Bros
Jan 11, 2012 at 1:41 p.m.
Suggest removal

That's the spirit Bellagio. Largely female group of teachers are thugs...hahahaha..or are they just women that don't know their place in society, like the Patriot Women do. Trying to better their profession and earn a fair compensation - how dare they-the thugs!?!
------------------------------
Government paves the way for capitalists like me. Rich capitalists rule. And them women thugs should know that, like you and I do.
---------
And Bellagio, you say the state of WI is not divided...hahaha. I'm with you there too, our gated communities are united and one! Keep up the good work Patriot - Don't listen to reality. Watch Fox. Listen to Rush. Stay deluded and Patriotic.

poobah
Jan 11, 2012 at 11:11 a.m.
Suggest removal

Bellagio_Bound said, "The MAJORITY of the state is still with him"
-
Hope your name isn't an indication of your profession as a gambler. With instincts like yours about how many people support Walker, you're going to need lots of gambling luck.

totellthetruth
Jan 11, 2012 at 8:17 a.m.
Suggest removal

Well stated Bellagio_Bound. We the people support Walker.. The Few The Whiney, The lazy do not...
.
Oh United Wisconsin, Give me your tired, your lazy, your entitlement seekers! Oh give me your huddled masses of unemployable people!

emac
Jan 10, 2012 at 8:27 p.m.
Suggest removal

carlitosway-"here are some links to help the ones that JUDGE THE NEEDY Just because people are poor and need a little help does not make them addicts and dopers GET A CLUE"
Nobody said everyone on state aid was an addict or doper. The comment was all for state aid recipients to take a mandatory drug screen.

Zeussmom
Jan 10, 2012 at 8:20 p.m.
Suggest removal

Walker needs to go. We need to get this state back on track and stop the bickering!!!!

Koch_Bros
Jan 10, 2012 at 8:18 p.m.
Suggest removal

Bellagio Bound- Walker is dividing the state against itself so us rich cronies can rake (as they say in Vegas Baby). I am proud of the boy too. Haahahahha. Beautiful. Let's go gambling!

bassman
Jan 10, 2012 at 7:35 p.m.
Suggest removal

Walker for President

carlitosway
Jan 10, 2012 at 7:09 p.m.
Suggest removal

here are some links to help the ones that JUDGE THE NEEDY Just because people are poor and need a little help does not make them addicts and dopers GET A CLUE http://colorlines.com/archives/2011/08/9... This one has some good comments also,, http://www.connecttristates.com/news/sto...

carlitosway
Jan 10, 2012 at 7 p.m.
Suggest removal

You all need to read the Florida results for the drug testing for assistance programs and what it actually showed and cost the state of Florida... Drug test those in charge of this state and the ones who work for the state Maybe then we will find out why we are in this mess. The most lethal drug is alcohol and it is legal. fedup and wislady 9 million to rid this State of corruption and for criminal conduct they get by with, is not a bad price..... RECALL THE RAT WALKER.

totellthetruth
Jan 10, 2012 at 6:58 p.m.
Suggest removal

Mouse, looks like you should stick to your door to door fake facial product sales because you have no clue about how a government works.

Lar80
Jan 10, 2012 at 6:28 p.m.
Suggest removal

Koch_Bros
.
You describe Jon Stewart to a T!

peacenick
Jan 10, 2012 at 5:55 p.m.
Suggest removal

Well I heard this morning on the WCLO that overall our local taxes will be decreasing--wonderful. That message was from Walker's people and it is a good thing. I am not a republican.

wiggle
Jan 10, 2012 at 5:51 p.m.
Suggest removal

Doc your wrong! Not all opiates need written paper scripts. I've called Walgreens many times to fill a patients pain med. No paper needed for the usual street opiates, just a phone call

doc0430
Jan 10, 2012 at 5:36 p.m.
Suggest removal

emac, prescription drugs are only legal to the person with that prescription, don't you read the arrests in the public records on here, or the court records? Possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, and a lot of prescription painkillers are a scheduled drug, possession of those is the same as possession of illegal drugs if you don't have a valid prescription from a Dr. it's pretty black and white when it comes to this, the DEA monitors scheduled drug prescription, that's why your Dr has to write you a prescription for opiate painkillers, their DEA license number is on those and pharmacists have to register those on every one of those given out.

doc0430
Jan 10, 2012 at 5:28 p.m.
Suggest removal

tthompson, any drug used that the recipient of said programs that show up on a routine mandatory drug test that the person does NOT have a prescription for, IE that makes them illegal whether or not legal drugs in a persons system that were obtained without a prescription makes them illegal drugs. I am assuming by the way you asked the question you were referring to one of the most commonly abused drugs, prescription painkillers. I'm sticking to my stand here on mandatory drug testing for those on state or federal programs, fail the test, your on your own! And the difference between a person abusing drugs who are not on some sort of aid is that person is using his/her own money, not taxpayers. If you want to work and spend your hard earned money on drugs, that's between you and the authorities, but if you are getting our tax dollars, that is when I consider it my business! I refuse to work to support someones drug habit, get a job if that's what you want to do.

emac
Jan 10, 2012 at 5:25 p.m.
Suggest removal

doc0430,tthompson- get rid of the fraud and you don't need to drug test. Anyone who has been "using" for any length of time knows how to beat a UA. And I agree with tthompson you will have to then test for prescription drugs and alcohol (both legal).

spark
Jan 10, 2012 at 4:27 p.m.
Suggest removal

Mouse - This is explains the complex situation very well. Informative.
-
http://www.thenewamerican.com/index.php/...

spark
Jan 10, 2012 at 4:20 p.m.
Suggest removal

badger2 - No, I'm not even remotely close. I am simply explaining to you that tax cuts mean people keep more of the money they already earned.

Mouse
Jan 10, 2012 at 4:08 p.m.
Suggest removal

spark..... does that apply to everybody at the same %?

badger2
Jan 10, 2012 at 4:07 p.m.
Suggest removal

spark.....you must be in that 1% wealthiest in the State .....so in that case your right

spark
Jan 10, 2012 at 4:02 p.m.
Suggest removal

badger2 - Tax cuts allow people to keep more of the money they already earned. Just wanted to clarify.

badger2
Jan 10, 2012 at 3:24 p.m.
Suggest removal

In the unlikely event that money was saved?? this clown Walker will give it away in tax cuts to the top 1% or out of state corporations

tthompson
Jan 10, 2012 at 3:23 p.m.
Suggest removal

Doc: Just curious, would you include testing for legal drugs in that scenario?? I mean, be honest, which drugs do you think are abused more by those who receive aid?? Hint: It's the same as the those who don't receive aid...

Koch_Bros
Jan 10, 2012 at 2:24 p.m.
Suggest removal

What we are seeing is a time-tested GOP strategy fromt the Rove playbook. We saw it a lot with GWB administration. I like to call it "Blowing Bubbles".
------------------------
How Blowing Bubbles works is , Walker spread out a string of never-ending, highly divisive press releases through the media channels at your disposal.
-----------------------------

Of course these bubbles are often easily popped since they are generally a farce(from silly pronouncements such as committee formations or slanted statistical anomalies). However, we keep blowing these patriotic bubbles to inflame and wear out the political opponent as they try to pop them. There are more bubbles than the truth-seekers have time have time to refute. And the residue of the bubbles affects the general mindstream (which thankfully is often not too bright).
--------------------------------
Anyway, it's about control and power for me. Or Patriotism, if you wish. Beautiful.

Badgerlvr
Jan 10, 2012 at 2:02 p.m.
Suggest removal

RECALL WALKER!

Feduptaxpayer
Jan 10, 2012 at 1:01 p.m.
Suggest removal

Wisconsin Waste = #1 is the recall
.
RETAIN WALKER

Eagle1
Jan 10, 2012 at 12:50 p.m.
Suggest removal

Quoting the democrats for this story is like using rush limbaugh to comment on Obama's approval rating. They have no credibility to be unbiased. C'mon gazette do some actual reporting for an unbiased factual report.

helge1939
Jan 10, 2012 at 12:13 p.m.
Suggest removal

Then only waste in WI. is walker & his people

Mouse
Jan 10, 2012 at noon
Suggest removal

9562M..... A simple one for you, just incase you can't do the math.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=...
........ so where are the jobs?

Zeussmom
Jan 10, 2012 at 11:58 a.m.
Suggest removal

doc that's been done in other states and winds up costing more.

doc0430
Jan 10, 2012 at 11:42 a.m.
Suggest removal

If the state of Wisconsin seriously wants to save money without being called insensitive for cutting assistance to those undeserving in the first place, all that needs to be put in place is mandatory drug testing for those on welfare and unemployment and the rest will take care of itself! $300,000,000.00 saved easily, and no one can call them insensitive this way. If they want to buy drugs let them work for their money, because I don't want my tax dollars being used to get someone high on illegal drugs.

9562M
Jan 10, 2012 at 11:40 a.m.
Suggest removal
Mouse
Jan 10, 2012 at 11:33 a.m.
Suggest removal

wislady..... why who gets the money?

wislady
Jan 10, 2012 at 11:29 a.m.
Suggest removal

Waste............the $9 Million for the "do over" election.

MadCityDad
Jan 10, 2012 at 11:22 a.m.
Suggest removal

Getting used to seeing scooter and misleading in the same sentence.

Mouse
Jan 10, 2012 at 11:18 a.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

Before you post a comment, consider this:

Note: GazetteXtra.com does not condone or review every comment. Read more in our User Policy Agreement
  • Keep it clean. Comments that are obscene, vulgar or sexually oriented will be removed. Creative spelling of such terms or implied use of such language is banned, also.
  • Don't threaten to hurt or kill anyone.
  • Be nice. No racism, sexism or any other sort of -ism that degrades another person.
  • Harassing comments. If you are the subject of a harassing comment or personal attack by another user, do not respond in-kind.  Hit the "Suggest Removal" button on offensive comments.
  • Share what you know. Give us your eyewitness accounts, background, observations and history.
  • Do not libel anyone. Libel is writing something false about someone that damages that person's reputation.
  • Ask questions. What more do you want to know about the story?
  • Stay focused. Keep on the story's topic.
  • Help us get it right. If you spot a factual error or misspelling, email newsroom@gazettextra.com or call 1-800-362-6712.
  • Remember, this is our site. We set the rules, and we reserve the right to remove any comments that we deem inappropriate.

Post Comment

Commenting requires registration.

Username:
Password: (Forgotten your password?)

Comment:

ADVERTISEMENT