Scott Walker Rethinks Stimulus Aid: Ideology Bows to Reality

Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker, his eye firmly on the Wisconsin govenor's office, is back-peddling on the issue of accepting federal stimulus aid.

Early last week he wanted no part of the federal aid, Walker says no thanks to federal stimulus package Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, January 6, 2009:

Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker says thanks but no thanks to any federal economic stimulus money for county projects...Walker's stance fits with his conservative ideology and the turf he's begun to stake out for himself as a potential Republican candidate for governor in 2010, said County Board Chairman Lee Holloway.

Grover Norquist and the end of ideology

Be clear about one thing. If there was no electorate to worry about, no elections for higher office, Walker would never touch the federal money.

Walker is a Grover Norquist Republican who believes government should be shrunk until it can be drowned in a bathtub.

Now, with mounting public criticism, as the city of Milwaukee and dozens of Wisconsin counties prepare proposals, he says he will consider assistance if it meets his conditions, January 9, 2009  Walker won't rule out taking U.S. stimulus aid - County executive face criticism for refusal.

"I'm not opposed forever" to carrying out projects with federal money, he said Friday...

...He listed three conditions for acceptance of the federal aid: that it not require any unusual local match; that it not go for a service that would require county taxpayers to pick up the bill in the future; and that it not have hidden operating expenses.

Scott Walker is faithful to neither his constituency or himself.

Those Pesky Adjectives

Walker is locked into his Grover Norquist economics.  Ideology comes first. But he is trapped. As Walker put it, "The last thing you want to do is put money in hands of government."

He is wrong. There is an invaluable role for government.

Walker will never understand one basic historical, economic reality. Throughout history, regardless of of ideology or economic system, in ancient or modern times, government investment in infrastructure leads to private investment and increased productivity. Simple examples include:

• The Roman aqueducts
• The U.S. interstate highway system
• The Aswan Dam
• The Moscow subway system
• The Panama Canal

• Tunnels through the Alps and under the English Channel

Walker says to accept the money, there must be no "unusual local," costs.  Walker says taxpayers should not have to pick up the bill in the future.  Walker also says there must not be any "hidden operating expenses." 

Frankly, if Milwaukee County screws this up it means money more for the rest of Wisconsin, which will then have a competitive economic edge over the state's largest county. That is the good news.

There is bad news.

The failure of Milwaukee County to participate will drag down the entire state as we try to emerge from this Grover Norquist-inspired economic disaster.

author's note: There is no relationship (that I know of) between Republican Grover Norquist and Milwaukee's previous mayor, John Norquist, who would have spent the stimulus package on public transit.

Comments

[Jack Lohman]

Whatever stimulus dollars Wisconsin receives, it should be kept away from the politicians who take cash dollars from the special interests. The Government Accountability Board should appoint a panel of retired economists and business leaders to decide the best way to spend the money in the public's best interest. Those who take private campaign contributions (which is all of them) cannot be trusted to do the right thing. The money will be doled out and we'll be right back where we started.

Jack Lohman
http://tinyurl.com/swalker