MEMO: Scott Walker’s Mess
Scott Walker is set to give his State of the State address tonight, and the truth is, he doesn't have much good news to report. Walker rode into Madison in 2010 dead-set on giving the state a massive Tea Party makeover. And he did. Walker's vision for economic growth in Wisconsin consisted largely of massive tax cuts for the wealthy and the privatization of state's economic development program. To pull off his tax overhaul, Walker, implemented the largest education cuts in state history. But even that wasn't enough -- now the state faces an astonishing $2.2 billion budget shortfall. And just in case you questioned his ideological rigidity, Walker insists that slashing property taxes remains his number one priority this year. So what programs will he cut next to try to solve his colossal budget problem? That remains a mystery. As for his privatized economic development agency, well that hasn't gone much better. WEDC has been wrought with controversy, giving Wisconsin taxpayer dollars to companies that ship jobs overseas, and tearing through executives. Moreover, Walker didn't even come close to delivering on his promise to create 250,000 jobs in his first term, and Wisconsin continues to lag behind other states in the midwest and across the country when it comes to employment growth.
Happy Anniversary, Chris Christie!
It’s been one whole year since the words “time for some traffic problems in Fort Lee” rang 'round the world and we found out that the George Washington Bridge lane closures were initiated by people very close to you, causing four days’ worth of traffic jams. Time sure goes by fast, doesn’t it? In case you’ve forgotten what it felt like to read the headlines that day, we’ve compiled them here for your reading pleasure. Maybe it will help take your mind off all the bad press you’re getting for over your ethics problems with Cowboys owner Jerry Jones? Enjoy!
New York Times: Christie Faces Scandal on Traffic Jam Aides Ordered
“The mystery of who closed two lanes onto the George Washington Bridge — turning the borough of Fort Lee, N.J., into a parking lot for four days in September — exploded into a full-bore political scandal for Gov. Chris Christie on Wednesday. Emails and texts revealed that a top aide had ordered the closings to punish the town’s mayor after he did not endorse the governor for re-election.”New York Post: Christie could face criminal probe over ‘Bridgegate’
“‘This smells of corrupt use of government authority at the highest levels,’ said Democratic State Sen. Ray Lesniak, who called for a federal grand-jury probe, rather than a state investigation that could be influenced by the Christie administration.”Wall Street Journal: Bridge-Spat Emails Pose Questions For Christie
“…[T]he image of a popular Republican governor punishing a less-powerful Democratic mayor and his constituents for a political reason threatens to undermine one of Mr. Christie's central arguments for himself.”Marco Rubio's Immigration Flip-Flop In Full Effect
When immigration reform first reemerged as a crucial issue in 2013, Marco Rubio appeared eager to play a leadership role…
Chris Christie, Call Your Lawyer.
A year ago today, the nation was introduced to the now infamous line, "time for some traffic problems in Fort Lee" as emails were released from Chris Christie's deputy chief of staff, Bridget Anne Kelly. Despite Christie's continued insistence that his Bridgegate nightmare is over and he absolved of wrongdoing, the scandal and connected incidents keep bringing new travails for the governor. This morning, the Wall Street Journal reported that federal prosecutors have subpoenaed Christie's reelection campaign in relation to meetings Christie cancelled after a Democratic lawmaker refused to endorse him in his reelection bid. You have to hand it to the guy, when it comes to retribution, he truly is an elite politician. Meanwhile, there are new developments in Christie's latest fiasco surrounding his ethically dubious journeys to Jerry Jones' box for Cowboys games. According to the Asbury Park Press, the New Jersey State Ethics Commission "has received, and is reviewing, the complaint filed by American Democracy Legal Fund" regarding a potential ethics violation from Christie. It seems the governor "personally pushed" for a government contract to go to a firm partially owned by Jerry Jones, then turned around and accepted gifts from Jones in the form of travel, tickets, and awkward hugs. (okay, the hugs may be legal) All this is leading some in the press to say, "perhaps Chris Christie's first 2016 hires should be lawyers?"
Video: Chris Christie's Cowboy Ethics
For Chris Christie, it's the story that just won't die. In fact, it keeps getting worse. The focus of Christie's…
A 3rd & Long Day of Bad Press for Cowboys Superfan Governor Chris Christie
From his hometown editorial board to the pages of Sports Illustrated, New Jersey Governor "Cowboys' Mojo" Chris Christie was greeted again this morning…
Pat McCrory Doesn't Seem To Like Questions About Ethics…
Pat McCrory seems pretty irritable these days. Yesterday, he got into yet another tiff with an AP reporter trying to get to the bottom of his latest debacle. The governor continues to respond with utter contempt to questions about the eye-brow raising payout he received from a mortgage broker whose board he sat on as he took office in 2013. McCrory's response since this story broke has been damning enough -- the innocent are rarely so defiant. But his history of ethical shortcomings raises even more flags. We've already learned that he's downplayed his ties to an internet sweepstakes executive under indictment, and that he had a financial stake in Duke Energy when they spilled 39,000 tons of coal ash into the Dan river after McCrory helped loosen their regulations. It seems the more you dig, the more Pat McCrory conflicts of interests you uncover, so it's no wonder he gets a little short when you start asking questions.
Indiana Lawmaker Carrying Pence for President Legislation Is Tea Party To The Core
Indiana Governor Mike Pence wants to treat his current office as a concession prize and run for both re-election and president simultaneously. Unfortunately for the governor, it's against Indiana law...and the lawmaker attempting to change that for him provides a window into the worst of Pence's Tea Party politics. Meet State Senator Mike Delph, a famously combative Tea Partier who's had a hand in some of Indiana's most controversial legislation, including pushing a gay marriage ban, birther legislation, and Arizona-style immigration laws.
Introduced “Birther” Bill In Indiana
Delph Introduced “Birther” Bill In Indiana. According to The Hill, “Indiana Republican state Sen. Mike Delph, who’s still weighing a potential primary challenge to Sen. Dick Lugar (R-Ind.) next year, is pushing state lawmakers to take another look at his bill that would require presidential candidates to produce a birth certificate. Delph introduced a bill earlier this year to mandate presidential hopefuls produce the document in order to get on the ballot, but the measure is stuck in committee. Now, he wants a legislative study committee to take up the issue, hoping it will gain some additional traction, telling a local radio station that he thinks a ‘trust but verify approach’ is reasonable.” [The Hill, 4/19/11]
Home Field Advantage? NJ Front Pages Tee Off on Cowboy Christie
A quick look at Chris Christie's home state newspapers after he took a free private jet and tickets top the owner's…
TEA COZY: The New Crop of Extreme Tea Party Republicans Settling Into Washington
Today, the first of the 114th Congress, finds Tea Party favorites Representatives Ted Yoho and Louie Gohmert each planning to challenge John Boehner’s reelection as Speaker of the House. The Tea Party darlings’ bids for the speaker’s gavel might have long odds, but don’t let that fool you: nothing about the Republican Party’s extreme, Tea Party agenda has changed as a result of the GOP’s “rebrand.” Indeed, a quick scan of some of the newest members of the House being sworn in today shows just how extreme this latest crop of Tea Party Republican members of Congress truly are. Fortunately, American Bridge has done the work for you and included these Tea Partiers' top extreme hits in our new report: