Welcome to Scott Walkers Wisconsin's Inter Sanctum The WPRI a free market think tank

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http://www.wpri.org/pages/about.html

http://www.wpri.org/pages/wi-interest-frontpage.html

The Wisconsin Policy Research Institute Inc., established in 1987, is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit Institute working to engage and energize Wisconsinites and others in discussions and timely action on key public policy issues critical to the State’s future, its growth and prosperity. The Institute’s research and public education activities are directed to identify and promote public policies in Wisconsin which are fair, accountable and cost effective.

Through original research and analysis and through public opinion polling, the Institute’s work will focus on such issue arenas as state and local government tax policy and spending and related program accountability, consequences and effectiveness. It will also focus on health care policy and service delivery; education; transportation and economic development; welfare and social services; and other issues currently or likely to significantly impact the quality of life and future of the State.

The Institute is guided by a belief that competitive free markets, limited government, private initiative, and personal responsibility are essential to our democratic way of life.

[Scuba]

1. Scooter seems to have forgotten...

...this is Wisconsin. We recognize bullshit when we see it.

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2. This was published in November BEFORE WALKER took office...sound familiar Wisconsin?

http://www.wpri.org/WIInterest/Vol19No3/Lightbourn19.3.html

• Shut down the state Department of Commerce and create an independent, private-sector-driven organization held accountable for catalyzing economic growth.

• Change state government’s attitude toward business. From top to bottom, state government should give business owners the same deference and service given to the penthouse guests at the Four Seasons.

• Hold listening sessions to take the pulse of business. Listen, listen, listen.

• Change Wisconsin’s tax mix. This will mean reducing the income tax, the property tax and, most important, the corporate income tax. Rick Chandler’s contribution to Refocus Wisconsin shows that this last change will add billions of dollars of investment by Wisconsin businesses. The long-term benefit to all of Wisconsin should be obvious to all but the uniquely dim.


I love the uniquely dim line.

[Jackpine Radical]

4. Uniquely dim…

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6. I love it... I'm quite serious when I say these guys are the power behind the throne.

Klauser was Tommy Thompson's adviser and for years. During that time the DOA building was often referred to as "Klauser Tower" by state workers. I remember when they tried to bypass the height regulation of the Madison skyline because of the capital when they were putting up the DOA building and had to take a floor off as it was being built.


The article has been his strategy and agenda damn near verbatim.

If you read it ....it talks about a permanent economic council. And just who do think will be on it?

The arrogant fops just don't understand some people aren't motivated by greed.

[Jackpine Radical]

11. I know. I'm familiar with that gang & with previous

"contributions" to WPRI, like their magnificent "Prison Works" that was used to justify the creation of WI's Prison-Industrial Complex in the 90's.

[CatholicEdHead]

7. Penthouse guests at the Four Seasons?

Well, we know where they like to stay. :puke: Talk about very unrealistic standards, so kiss the rich's butt in every possible way. Sorry, that neo-feudalism does not fly here.

If they do not like it they can go to the Motel 6 down the road.

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3. This article is really has been Walkers game plan, people should read this.

... consider dividing the task into two steps. First, get on top of things with a one-year spending freeze. The focus of your first budget should be public employee pension and health insurance reforms. Employees have to begin paying a fair share of their benefits. You will hear the howls, but the more the insiders howl, the more the public will be with you. This will provide a solid platform for your second budget. As David Cameron took over as British prime minister, he and George Osborne, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, took time to develop a strategy for reining in government spending. You will need to do the same.


Beyond that, the state budget would benefit immensely from introducing an outside perspective. First, convene a temporary group, akin to the Expenditure Commission from the 1980s, to set a long-term spending goal for state government. The commission should be tasked not only with getting government spending back in the box, but also with determining just how much of the Wisconsin economy should be allocated to government.


Second, establish a permanent Economic Council. Many states have them to give government a perspective from the world of business and finance when shaping state government’s fiscal plan.

I really don't think the public is with him...LOL

[pansypoo53219]

5. non partisan?

really? i was PUSH polled today, teehee, i was so feisty. the poll taker i think was on my side. i think she's had to deal w/ teabaggers, cause i apologized and she said no no, i was one of the good ones. and she was studiously typing in my comments where i could give them.

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8. Hard to believe isn't it?

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9. Lightbourn when on the Wis. Invest. Board invested 8.3 million in bonds which lost millions.

http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/blog/2010/02/CHrb.html

<snip>

Lightbourn -- from the administrations of former Govs. Tommy Thompson and Scott McCallum (Rs) -- admits in the report’s introduction that “As a former public employee, I was included in the Wisconsin Retirement System. I always knew Wisconsin’s pension system was generous. Now I know just how generous that pension system is… It is a system that has simply overstayed its welcome.”

Everyone with me now: GIVE IT BACK, GIVE IT BACK, GIVE IT BACK!

But seriously folks… I wonder if this was running through Lightbourn’s mind when, as a trusted on the State of Wisconsin Investment Board, he voted to approve “a complicated plan… to buy $8.3 million in bonds from Heartland Holdings, which subsequently lost millions of dollars for investors." Or I wonder what how concerned for us taxpayers when “Shortly before he lost his cabinet job, then-Administration Secretary George Lightbourn authorized a nearly $6,500 pay raise for an administrative position in his agency – a post that became his next job in state government.” He later apologized and returned the raise he gave himself.

Now that Lightbourn has left public service (he was a state worker for over two decades) and is leading the best-funded anti-government think tank in the state, he's throwing stones. Other current WPRI board members who sat on the Wisconsin Retirement System board during the former Republican administration include James Klauser and Maureen Oster. (You can find the other WPRI board members heading up WMC, MMAC, or their own investment firms.)

Man oh man...

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10. James Klauser on his switch from Mark Neuman to Scott Walker (Youtube)

Mike Gousha from UPFRONT interviews James Klauser, prominent in state Republican circles, about his decision to back Scott Walker for governor, instead of Mark Neumann


http://www.clipsyndicate.com/video/playlist/1805/1214245?title=broadcast_local

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12. They want to Privatize the school system

The list of education reforms supported by the public — but opposed by the insiders — is a long one. With that in mind, here is a list of reforms that our Refocus Wisconsin experts say must be done if we’re to move beyond the usual half-measures. Oh, and none of these changes would cost a dime.

• Build a true education marketplace for families by erasing the unjustified limit on charter schools, online schools and school choice. Also, rather than doing charter and choice schools on the cheap, let’s be honest and have all of the state dollars follow the students.

• Take Colorado’s lead and create an independent state board to authorize charter schools. Parents and teachers should no longer have to go hat in hand to their local school boards asking for permission to start charter schools.

• Expand private-school choice statewide and offer a tax credit to families who send their children to private schools.