E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSS
AP
Emma Collins, left, Elias Lyam, 14, and Eileen Collins watch early election results for Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate JoAnne Kloppenburg in Madison, Wis. on Tuesday. Kloppenburg faces incumbent Justice David Prosser.
From NBC’s John Yang and Domenico Montanaro
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker wasn't on Tuesday's ballot, but he -- and his effort to limit the collective-bargaining rights for public workers -- may have been the big losers amid near-record, non-November turnout.
In the only statewide race, which went from low-profile to a closely watched referendum on Walker and his controversial measure after protests roiled the state capitol, Supreme Court Justice David Prosser, a former Republican Speaker, is locked in a too-close-to-call battle with Assistant Attorney General JoAnne Kloppenburg, who has the backing of unions and liberal groups. With 99 percent of the state's precincts reporting, Prosser had a 585-vote lead out of more than 1.4 million ballots cast. A recount is likely.
A Kloppenburg win would change a 4-3 conservative majority on the court into a 4-3 liberal majority.
In the four-candidate February primary, before the controversy over the collective bargaining bill exploded, Prosser got 55 percent of the vote and Kloppenburg just 25 percent.
Prosser addressed supporters at about 1:40 this morning, saying: "I've weathered the nuclear blast, and I'm still standing." Earlier, Kloppenburg told her supporters: "It's not over yet. We're still hopeful."
And in Milwaukee County, Democrat Chris Abele, a political neophyte who runs his Boston family's philanthropy, trounced Jeff Stone, a veteran Republican state lawmaker, in a special election to replace Walker as County Executive, 61%-39%. Stone's two votes for the collective bargaining bill in the state Assembly were issues in the campaign.
Kloppenburg appears to have benefited from a very high turnout, which rivaled the turnout in past April presidential primary elections -- 1,472,921 people turned out to vote in this election (736,878 for Prosser, 736,043 for Kloppenburg). That’s very close to the total number of people who turned out for the 2008 presidential primaries -- 1,498,068 and more than the hotly contested Democratic primary between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, where more than 1.1 million people voted.
In the liberal bastion of Madison, officials said turnout was about 70 percent, with Kloppenburg winning 73 percent of the vote. In Eau Claire County, turnout was so heavy that polling places ran out of machine-readable ballots and had to use hand-counted ballots; the challenger won 58 percent. In left-leaning Milwaukee County, where turnout was also driven by the county executive's race, she won 57 percent of the vote.
In the race for Milwaukee County Executive, 222,761 people turned out to vote (134,848 for Abele; 87,913 for Stone). That’s almost as many people who turned out for the 2008 presidential primaries, when a total of 251,942 people voted in Milwaukee County -- and more than the Obama-Clinton primary, when 205,931 people voted.
While the turnout may not be a record, the Supreme Court race did set a record for the amount of money spent by special interest groups: $3.5 million, according to the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University. The top spender was the liberal Greater Wisconsin Committee which spent $1.4 million backing Kloppenburg.
Wisconsin does not have automatic recounts. A candidate has three business days after the last county reports its official vote count--usually the Monday or Tuesday after Election Day -- to request a recount. They're free to campaigns as long as the margin between the candidates is less than 0.5%.
Leave a Comment:
And the sleeping giant awakens.
Tell me again HOW there is NO buyers remorse going on up there? lmao
This is ONLY the beginning...
You can only poke the bear so many times before you have a real fight on your hands. Republicans are going to learn that one the hard way.
what a gift these guys, walker and rep ryan and trump are.
At 10:40 Kloppenburg Leads by 140 votes!!!
Kloppenburg 738,368
Prosser 738,228
Like I said many weeks ago, union members need to erect a statue to Walker, he has done more then anyone, to awake the middle class to the agenda the republicans have in store for the American family.
I may have to stop and buy a bottle of champagne on the way home... Thanks Ron!
JoAnna - Just because you can't answer the question doesn't mean you had to collapse the entire thread...
No JoAnna, this is how Walker and his merry band of henchman are closing the 'budget gap':
Care to explain to us how a college dropout, 2 time convicted felon, ending up earning almost DOUBLE what the school teachers in WI make?
Yeah... SOME plan!
Take you time honey... we're still waiting!
Kloppenburg now leads by 369 votes with five precincts left. Two from Milwaukee. I believe she going to win!!!!!!!
Better buy two bottles Feisty. Lets's share them.
Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL
JoAnna - Just because you can't answer the question doesn't mean you had to collapse the entire thread...
Did you notice yesterday, because some did like what I wrote my post was deleted?
This problem needs to be addressed.
Seriously?! Thank you!!!
I'll be HAPPY to buy. ;-)
Update: At 10 a.m. local time it was 447 votes.
http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/elections/article_212b0a92-5ff3-11e0-8d71-001cc4c002e0.html
Gee, go walk the dogs and the race magically changes! Say all, party at the Dew Drop Inn tonight if Kloppenburg wins. We will have much to celebrate. Off to school with Sey!
But of course - newly discovered and "hand counted votes" all seem to go for the Dem.
Margin of fraud and all.
Breaking news - butt load of ballots just discovered in the trunk of a shiny new Impala.
Hello recount.
Hey AM - given the incredible tightness of the race what is your take on the outcome of all the recall campaigns? If this went 50%-50%, wouldn't the recall votes basically revert to the same tallies as the original vote ratios?
Ron, that's great news. If Kloppenburg wins, this calls for a Wed evening happy hour at the Dew Drop Inn! I hear IR ordered extra Champaign just in case.
As for recall election on legislators, I think it will depend on the district but there is a difference between last night's election and the recalls to come. Voters are more reluctant to oust justices than they are politicians. Our instinct is to remember the Constitution established the judicial system as nonpolitical and we prefer to think it remains nonpolitical and justices make decisions based on law without regard to politics. Today's reality is that too many justices are political and quite vocal about it.
Don't count on it. The republican state senator whose district already has enough signatures for recall went heavily blue yesterday.
Any proof, Spanky? Why do I doubt it. Just unfounded insinuations, as usual. But they do reveal how YOUR mind works, don't they?
Interestingly, the gap has closed a little, now down to 240 votes. I guess those newly discovered votes go both ways. Three precincts left to report.
And, just curious, were you for the Norm Coleman recall effort or against it?
Of course they are unfounded. Where is the fun in reliable facts this morning. We got lots of time for all that, right?
Did any of the dem senator districts up for recall go red?
I had no dog in the Coleman fight, although I was a huge Stuart Smalley fan. This one is a little different - I personally think its is interesting you all can elect Supreme Court Judges. Electing judges is a bad idea, period. But what you gonna do?
And in retrospect I am glad Coleman lost - the dems had to get the super majority or their failures wouldn't have been as big. It also gave Obama a false sense of security, which I think lead to his wasting so much time in '09, which was a great thing.
And again, regardless of the Walker vote - you all have to live with which ever judge you get for a long time. Klopper seems to have some issues.
Feisty, try to keep up: http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/119283094.html
And why is no one talking about THIS story? http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/119300239.html
Because it's not news, nor is it particularly unusual. Both sides give their bought-and-paid-for politicians talking points.
Under ordinary circumstances, we call these people lobbyists. Your side in particular loves lobbyists.
Is this supposed to be an example of doing the right thing? To me, it seems more like "oops, we got caught."
Anna Molly, predictable as ever. Thanks for never letting me down!
Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL
Are you discussing the WI issue, or the Obama administration? According to his poll ratings, somewhere near 42% approval, the public overall isn't pleased with his administration.
And how about that Obama War Feisty? Can't wait to see Obama visit so we can all see your picture posted on the site.
The last article I read said the race was to close to call.
Gee safecracker, thanks for giving me an opening for pointing out that President Obama is STILL more popular than Reagan or Clinton at this stage in their presidencies...as has consistently been the case over time. http://www.gallup.com/poll/124922/Presidential-Approval-Center.aspx
Not that mere facts will stop the ongoing Conservative narrative about the President's supposed unpopularity.
No problem with the likeability index JohnB. The fact is today, Obama has ownership for the country, not those mentioned above. Since the mid-terms, Obama has lost creditability with many in the nation, from all areas and from all parties.
The mere facts JohnB, is the Democrats chose NOT to pass a budget, and now they are attempting to pass the blame to the Republicans. Personally, my choice would be to see what the Democrats are actually offering, pass a compromise, then go BIG for choices that would help to balance the budget. If the Dems fail to compromise in the next round, then go BIG holding them against the wall.
By the way, how's the ObamaWar going for you?
Safecracker: I would trade any given "Bush War" for three "Obama Wars". Obama is doing in Libya what Bush the Elder should have done in Iraq 20 year ago; supported an indigenous uprising against a despised despot.
As for Wisconsin: this is a clear example that when Conservatives "win" they usually loose. The Republicans are the Charley Sheen of the political world.
Atomic,
With the issues happening in the Ivory Coast, why hasn't Obama gone there too? Another war soon? You may have your wish of three Obama wars yet.
Now if this happens, will they be funded? And where will the funds come from? Will we see another move from a despised despot during the 2012's, espically with gasoline costs rising, food increasing and the economy still lagging with Big Ears in charge?
Now tell me, why didn't the Dems, who controlled the House and Senate, fail to initiate a budget? Should we not be critizing them for the current process we are talking about?
Safecracker: What is up with all this Ivory Coast nonsense? There is no reason to go there, period. The UN and France have it under control and Gbagbo is effectively president of less than one city block. A far cry from the choke-hold that Khaddafi has over Libya. No Republican can complain about the cost of our intervention in Libya after the Halliburton Cash Shower (formerly known as Operation Iraqi Freedom). Democrats may have voted for it, but Neo-Cons were salivating over the potential defense contracts before Bush was even inaugurated.
And finally, yes, the Democrats have culpability in the current budget crisis. Happy? Now admit that Republicans blockade any progress they can to get their way. Cutting both Medicare and taxes on the uber-rich? Really?
The UN cannot control anything. Isn't the situation on the Ivory Coast a real event, with people dying, and not nonsense? There is no control there from anyone with people shot at on a whim.
The Republicans are presenting a plan - what did the Dems do? Not a thing. For halliburton, they should be held accountable. I have no patience with people who hinder the troops for any reason.
Thank you for stating the truth about the Dems. As for cutting boyh Medicare and taxes on the uber-rich? Well, Medicare should not cover those who can aford to pay a part of their cost, but what does taxing the uber have to do with balancing the budget? We should all aspire to be a part of your uber class.
Yes, I posted this on FT, but perhaps it belongs here as well.
On Wisconsin!
While the big story is the GOP/TP’s unwillingness to compromise, thus leading to a potential government shutdown; I’ve been watching the Wisconsin election results. Scott Walker’s old job was Milwaukee County executive. Last night’s results reveal that Chris Abele (D) has won that seat with a majority of over 60 % of the vote. Certainly it is clear that Milwaukee has had its fill of Scott Walker, GOP/TP type politics.
The other big story is the race for a member of the Wisconsin Supreme Court. As of 8:52 this morning incumbent Justice Prosser was leading by 585 votes over JoAnne Koppenburg. Now this race will certainly go into over-time. There will be a recount and who knows who the winner might be. I recall Coleman was leading Frankin and the recall results revealed Frankin the winner. So the outcome is clearly unknown. It is noteworthy that since 1852, (yes 1852) only 5 Wisconsin Supreme Court justices have been unseated. It is still too close to call if this will be the 6th time.
In some ways, I confess to be an idealist as I wish court justices would stay out of politics and make decisions based on how the law is applied to individual cases. The same could be said of the U.S. Supreme Court.
I always thought the shocker to the Milwaukee County Exec story was that Walker ever managed to get elected there once, let alone 3 times. Milwaukee has long been a democratic strong hold. Abele winning isn't really a shock to anyone. It just sucks for those of us in the four surrounding counties who are going to be asked to pick up even more of the bills for Milwaukee because they've long been unable to support themselves.
Very telling...
All those guys up for recall should be shaking in their shoes!
My guess is they've shaken so much they can't find their shoes.
Send them all back to the island for misfit toys.
Yes Newday the sleeping giant awakens.
I just heard Assistant Attorney General JoAnne Kloppenburg is up by 185 votes.
Does anyone know what kind of voter machines are being used in Wisconsin?
100+ Diebold voting machines, known for how easily they can be hacked, available now on EBay
LA Times Picks Up BRAD BLOG's Scoop on Diebold Touch-screen E-Vote Machines For Sale on EBay
The machines are used and don't come with user's manuals, power supplies, batteries or memory cards, which may explain their discounted price. However, for those who wish to rig elections, machines like these are priceless.
Friedman was contacted by the seller, who told him that he had more than 100 of the electronic voting machines that were originally used in Van Wert County, Ohio.
AccuVote-TS voting machines were also used in New Jersey, when a professor at Princeton demonstrated how easy the Diebold machines were to manipulate for nefarious means.
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2011/03/for-sale-100-infamous-diebold-voting-machines-available-on-ebay.html
I'm just curious since the Wisconsin race is so close. Because practice makes perfect...
Maybe I'm too paranoid; Huh?
Funny you bring up the Diebold machines Bev - When I voted yesterday I originally asked for an electronic ballot until I got to the machine and saw it was made by Diebold!
I went back and asked for a paper ballot...
Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL
Funny you bring up the Diebold machines Bev - When I voted yesterday I originally asked for an electronic ballot until I got to the machine and saw it was made by Diebold!
I went back and asked for a paper ballot...
I can't blame you. I'm trying to track the article I read a couple a days ago the machines could be rigged from a cell phone.
There should always be a back-up paper ballot. Just ask President-Elect Gore.
RVZ555
No Bev. You're not paranoid. You're just setting up an excuse in case your side loses. If the Dem loses. There was fraud. If the Repub loses, it was a fair, clean vote count and all will be right with the world. You people are so predictable.
But, the Republicans set up excuses just in case their side loses when their voter caging and imaginary ACORN Allegations DON'T WORK!!!
CBS, CNN capture video of Ohio attorney subpoena served on Karl Rove
In an article written by Bob Fitrakis and Harvey Wasserman and published at OpEdNews.com, the federal subpoena orders Rove to testify in deposition about his role in the alleged theft of the 2004 election, and to discuss his orchestration of tens of millions of corporate/billionaire dollars in this year's General Elections on November 2.
http://www.examiner.com/government-in-columbus/cbs-cnn-capture-video-of-ohio-attorney-subpoena-served-on-karl-rove
Click to watch it
http://www.examiner.com/government-in-columbus/rove-connects-the-campaign-funding-dots-video-1
Which giant was awoken - the 50% of the people that voted for Prosser, or the 50% of the people that voted for Kloppenbarger?
It is my understanding that Wisconsin was pretty blue until last election, and with all this kurfluffal it is now straight purple.
Spanky, our 2 major population centers are blue. A few border counties with MN also tend blue but the other half of the state is typically pretty red. Elections usually come down to voter motivation. The Dems underestimated it each of the last 2 elections I think (the state went all red in November, the republicans came out in equal numbers when they (the dems) expected very low interest this time). I think they're overestimating the success in the recall efforts, too. The one or 2 races that are likely to swing democrat will likely be offset by at least one that will swing republican and the overall make up of our senate won't shift significantly. But I'm sure many here will accuse me of wishful thinking just like they did yesterday when I predicted a very close race between Prossor and Kloppenburg. Doesn't mean I think Team Elephant is going to win, just that there is far more motivation on the right than Team Donkey likes to admit.
Yawn Bev,
Old Cut & Paste lady.
a republican will never win a close race, dems make sure of that, ballots found in trunks all the time, cannot believe he's this close with all their usuall cheating...what a joke
Are the grapes a little sour today, DanB?
Funny how when things don't go the Republicans way all they can say is "it isn't FAIR!"
They're usually in a better mood after naptime, though.
Liberals are too funny. Your gal lost!! Losing by 585 votes or 58,000 votes, it's still a loss!!
Celebrate failure Libs, you're good at it.
You were saying... lmao!
I'd kinda caution against going scoreboard wither way until after the recount and after the lawsuits.
Cause all that is coming. MArgin of fraud, and well looky here but all the "newly found" votes are magically going dem. Shocking, really.
Simple fact is that this was straight u p 50-50.
Have another cup of rationalization, Spanky, it seems to agree with you.
So much for the "voter mandate" from November. Up to now, isn't that what you righties have been claiming -- "we, the people"? Now you're calling it a tie, even-steven?
The truth is that too damned many people stayed home in November, but apparently they've learned from that mistake. So much for that Teabag mandate.
JoAnnaSmith1
Liberals are too funny. Your gal lost!! Losing by 585 votes or 58,000 votes, it's still a loss!!
Celebrate failure Libs, you're good at it.
Read posts #4 and 5.1
It won't be a joke anymore. Besides, hearing as I type, Kloppenburg leads by 485 in an area where Prosser is not so strong.
JoAnnaSmith1 it's Boo hoo time for you.
She probably licking her 'wounds' as we speak - isn't that what Bad Chewowa's do when distressed?
Boo hoo time?
Do any of you live in Wisconsin?
Cause even if she wins and votes against the Walker bill, Wisconsin still has to deal with Kloppenberg for the remainder of her term.
Bev., Feisty, either of you care to comment on Kloppy's abilities as a judge?
10 years is a Long,long time there Spank!
And that, Spanky, is the great travesty in this whole mess. This is clearly not a "big picture" vote. From the looks of things Democrats will win the battle against Walker but the taxpayers are going to be screwed in the battle for an affordable life in the state.
>>Bev., Feisty, either of you care to comment on Kloppy's abilities as a judge?<<
They can't. Because she has no judicial experience.
If there is anything that should learned from this mess in Wisconsin, it's the importance of getting to the polls and vote. Like the old saying goes,"If didn't bother voting, then you have no right to complain about the outcome of the election".
This is a battle of 2 different directions. The people of Wisconsin have a decision that decides their future.
If the Left is victorious,, so be it .. Wisconsin goes bankrupt.
If the Right is victorious,, the tax payers win a victory and so does the whole state..
If the people of Wisconsin are dumb enough to vote against themselves,,, so be it... its all up to them.
Every state in the Union has the same challenges,, Ohio voted the right way, Indiana will vote the right way,, Illinois chose to raise taxes which is the only answer the Dems have and will drive business out of Illinois,, Caterpiller already served notice they may move over tax increase..
California is also going the tax increase route,, it will further kill business in that state..
The voters have the decision and that is the way it should be...
I have lived in Illinois and would never go back due to the corruption of the Democrats,, that state is going under, just like Michigan has.. New York is choking in debt , New Jersey the same way..
Funny how all the Non - Union States are outperforming the Union led Far Left States,, but Feisty wouldn't know anything about ,, she actually believes the Left is for the people.
Thank God I live in Texas and Georgia..
Nice that you can afford two places to live. Walker's budget makes sure the rich get more tax breaks while cutting the wages of school teachers who probably only have one home.
AdamW. Any one voting for a Republican is voting against their own interest. Why would any rational person vote for individuals willing to cut social programs and allow corporations and big business to retain their gift cows. Republicans and conversatives continue to rail against large deficits, but never mention the cost of wars. Where does the money come from to fund wars? Or keep the military industrial complex thriving. Check to see where the money for these wars are going? Z, Ex, and other war mongering compaines are thriving while the average citizen is suffering. In both Texas and Georgia the private companies are feasting own undocument illegals, paying below minimum wage.
Ask walker to stop giving jobs to is friends and while your at it ask him to talk to his buddy s` to pay their fair share in taxes.
WMB, Wisconsin Manufacturing & Commerce, is the group behind tort reform and busting the public unions in Wisconsin. It spent $2 million to elect one Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice in 2007; $2.8 million on another in 2008. The Court's conservative majority then handed down a ruling which allows justices to rule on cases whose outcomes would bear directly on the court's big donors.
When that happened, the Wisconsin Legislature passed the "Impartial Justice Act" and it was signed into law in 2009. The Act was an effort to eliminate big business influence from the judicial system. This Act established the Democracy Trust Fund which provides $100,000 for the primary election and $300,000 for the general election to Supreme Court candidates. The Act provided additional equity funding for candidates who complied with the spending caps and found themselves outspent by opponents who did not.
The Impartial Justice Act was short lived. Governor Scott Walker's 2011 budget shuts off funding for the Democracy Trust Fund which draws on general revenues. By making the Wisconsin Election Campaign Fund the exclusive source of the Act's funding, Walker killed the program thereby allowing the WMB and its minions to buy the election of justices who will be "beholding" to them and their corporate interests.
Kloppenburg is a head by 200 somebody is going to be booooo but i don't think it's going to be liberals, with 1 more precint to be counted.
Kloppenburg is ahead by 311 votes
With 3,629 of 3,630 precincts reporting as of noon Wednesday, challenger JoAnne Kloppenburg led incumbent Justice David Prosser by 235 votes,
I agree with Gov. Scott Walker. I’m glad he is taking a stand and I stand with him ... most Americans do. Times are getting tough and we just don’t have the money. The well is almost dry and we gotta stop promising money we don’t have. If you think its bad now, wait until we have no choice and really do have to stop paying because we are broke. People are being short sited and nieave about our future. We have to start carrying our own weight and not count on other people or government institutions to pay our way. Entitlements’ make us lame. Unions run off business and the working people are left out in the cold because they never had to think for themselves, the union did it for them.
We spend too much time demonizing the rich and blaming them. We need to focus on our own affairs and come off this class war fare driven agenda. The rich has done more for us as a nation than any politician or union organization. That is just what the Liberals want people to focus on because the Liberals have no sound policies. They just play on the emotions of people with out giving any substantial alternatives. Money is not the answer. We have a personnel responsibility to take care of your own self, not the government, union or political agenda.
Really? Stvonwald...Really? Gov Walker's crowning achievement was to become the cause celeb' for the left. The evindence is in the turnout of progressive minded voters. Keep up the good work Gov. ;-)
What we have in Wisconsin is further proof of the dumbing of America.
The Tea baggers are a major factor in the dumbing down of America.
Thanks for that interesting piece of information Job1. And I thought it was the Democratic Party causing this situation to happen.
At least the Republicans can stand to the issues, without packing their bags and leave home as they did in WI, or at least pass budget legislation, unlike the Democratic controlled last congress.
It's called saving the workers from a bully.
Sure enough. Those Teabaggers weren't too bright congratulating themselves on their "we, the people-ness", were they? Guess the Teabags just met the neighbors.
Kloppenburg camp at least a 209-vote edge to win election!!! give or take 24 paper ballots! YES WE CAN!!!
That's a good one, Forrest!
You go girl!
Glenn Beck is leaving his Fox News program and Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice nominee JoAnne Kloppenburg had beaten incumbent Justice David Prosser! What another Great Day!!!
The sleeping giant is wide awake now. Can't wait for 2012.
I'd like to make a point to all the Liberals and Centrists on this thread, however. This didn't happen by staying home. It happened with a lot of hard work and individual donations. Great things can happen, but only if we're ready to get out and work for them.
JohnB,
Please continue to spin the fact that Americans are tired of the same old BS from the Congress. Sleeping giant is laughable.
Before the 2012 election, especially if the nation sees an increase in gasoline prices, inflation at the grocery store, and unemployment not changed, Obama, as the leader of this administration will be gone. American votes with their pocketbook, not for the image you libbies want us to believe in.
Obama is indecisive John, constatly vasilating on decision-making. Look at his time is office, and his constant changes in statements.........
He will be history, unless the GOP make such a change in the economy with Obie taking credit for not having to make a decision.
100% on the money. There is no time, no room, for apathy. The right wing's got the money and power to buy damned near anything they want - the only thing between them and more abuse of power is our votes. Every one counts.
I am delighted, a chance to watch the rightwinger get bashed in the chops.The political right will be punished for the temerity of Walker and his scurvy crew.Hows that for rubbing your rhubarb? The mighty righty aint so mighty now is he?
The budget gap in Wisconsin is due to Walker's prolific giveaways to big business. Working people's pensions should not be used to pay for his malfeasance. While there may be some problems with unions, they rep people like us, who work for a living. Most of those folks could make better money in the private sector. Their compensation is a pension. Seems fair. I am tired of people who complain about paying our police, firefighters and teachers decently while they spend thousands on sports tickets, paying millions to people for throwing and hitting balls. Lousy priorities. Our children and elderly should be more important to us. Where are the folks who scream about family values? You should be front and center here.
Mare, do you know what those evil big businesses have to do to get Walker's "prolific" give aways? They have to create jobs and move companies to our state. For companies that are already here and create new jobs, they receive a one time credit of between $90 and $315 per job created, an amount that will be made up multiple times over by the income taxes paid by the newly employed party through individual tax contributions. The second credit is a 2 year exemption on state income taxes for businesses that move into the state. Again, by moving companies into the state, it creates jobs and jobs mean more tax payers and therefore higher revenue. And it's income tax only. Doesn't exempt them from property tax, sales tax or anything else. As I understand it, it's also capped at a $1M credit. The overall benefit of increasing the tax base in the state is far offset by the short term "cost" of unrealized revenue in my opinion.
And no one is taking the pensions away from the public employees. Simply asking that they contribute a relatively small percentage toward their own retirement. How is that a raw deal? They still get the guaranteed payout based on salary calculations. They still get some of the best heath care plans going, they just have to pay a small percentage toward their own benefits in order for the state to balance the budget and everyone to keep their jobs. Again, how is this bad? And if it's so terrible, why aren't people in government unions flocking to the private sector?
It is great to see such strong voter turnout in WI. Maybe this will put the brakes on the Republican agenda to fix a budget on the backs of a shrinking middle class who are becoming the working poor.
Hope Kloppepnburg wins. Recounts are not pretty, we have two of them in recent years. But the job gets done and we have some high price lawyers who have lots of experience in this area that could drive over the border and be in Madison in a hours.
I thank the 8700 voters that voted in Governor Mark Dayton in MN. And thank all of you in WI for going to the polls. Keep up the fight.
TO: Spanky-who wrote:
“But of course - newly discovered and "hand counted votes" all seem to go for the Dem…”
^^^^^^^^^^
The only reason you’re disappointed is because Republicans have been lying to themselves, pretending that Republicans are the majority and fooling yourself into believing that the majority of Americans support Republicans’ misguided plans for American.
This is OUR way of telling you that we DON’T support the Republicans’ attack on the middle class, we DON’T support Republicans’ idea that the American People’s wages need to be lowered so that the rich can become even richer.
WOW— The total ignorance in Wisconsin, as shown in these posts, about how the economy works and who pays for the public union workers is incredible!! Go ahead and raise taxes on the "wealthy" and businesses and see where they go. You think money hangs around where its not wanted? If the Republicans there lose this fight, the only things left in Wisconsin will be the cows and bad cheese. Oh; and thousands of laid off public workers!!!
Your comments show a lot of faith in "corporate citizenship", don't they? I am just about fed up with hearing how we should "take it easy" on the rich so that they can be "job creators"! As if you haven't noticed, the largest corporations in this country are enjoying the lowest corporate tax rates we've seen since right before the Great Depression!
Do you know what happens when we raise taxes on corporations? They tend to make the decision to put the money back into their businesses rather than pay it to the government. This phenomenon is called JOB CREATION, and the reason you haven't seen it in this country lately is that the corporations have not been encouraged to do it.
Actually, Sherminator, what the Corporations are trying to do is to make the American labour pool have the equivalent cost as the India(n) or Chinese labour pool. If they are successful in getting rid of ALL of the social safety nets we have in this country, then jobs will be at a premium and THEY can set the parameters of how much you can work for. In the Corporate mindset, American workers are too expensive.
With GATT and Global competition, a Corporation has its pick of cheap labour from around the world. Those labourers do NOT have 'Social Security'; they are working at the whim of the employer, and are willing to do jobs for pennies on the dollar.
It is not an accident that Corporate profits are skyrocketing. They are getting what they want produced with cheap labour and selling it back to the US at a HUGE profit. The side effect of this global trade is that the social fabric of America is being compromised, not that the Corporations really care about that (they don't).
that's odd.
I seem to recall, when I was a kid growing up in the Midwest not far from Wisconsin, that tax rates were quite a bit higher on the wealthy, and corporations weren't getting elaborate tax breaks. Executives made 25 times, 30 times what the worker bees were making.
With all of those terrible disadvantages and roadblocks to growth.... strangely, the country was doing really, really well. Lots of jobs. The middle class was growing fast. Everyone's standard of living was on the way up. And none of those businesses, none of the wealthy, were crying and threatening to take their ball and go home if they didn't get their way.
come to think of it, things didn't really start going downhill until we started giving big tax breaks and loopholes to the wealthy and the corporate world, paying execs 300 to 500 times the pay of worker bees, and shipping jobs out of the country to pad the corporate bottom line for the benefit of Wall Street...
EXACTLY!!!!!!!!
TO: DanB-3275431 who wrote:
“a republican will never win a close race, dems make sure of that, ballots found in trunks all the time, cannot believe he's this close with all their usual cheating...what a joke.”
^^^^^^^^^^^^
So, in your mind, it couldn’t possibly have anything to do with the fact that the majority of Americans reject the Republican agenda?
You’re going to need to get used to losing because the American Working People do REJECT Republicans’ refusal to tax the rich and then try to steal money from the middle class and the poor.
I don’t know how you expect to get support from working people when it’s the working people who are under attack by the Republicans.
American Girl, its actually a pretty even split here. 204 votes separate the 2 candidates in our Supreme Court race. It's no more a rejection of Republican ideals than an embrace of Democrat ideals. As a whole, I think this is a pretty good snapshot of the country as a whole. Extremes in either direction are not what the majority favor.
Well Suzy, since a sitting Wisconsin Supreme Court justice has NEVER lost a reelection campaign I'd say it's a BIG rejection of Republicans.
John, first, you're off on your facts. Two years ago Justice Louis Butler lost his SC seat in a reelection and that was a first since, I believe 1967 and I do believe it happened once or twice before that, as well.
As for the rejection of republicans, that might be what it looks like on the surface but the big picture tells a slightly different story- if we remove Dane county which includes the city of Madison (arguably the most liberal city in Wisconsin), the race was 53-46 in favor of Prosser. Over 10,000 ballots in Madison voted for the SC race ONLY, not the mayoral race, not the county executive race, nothing, just the Supreme Court. Not that there is necessarily anything wrong with voting in only one race, I actually considered not marking anything for the unchallenged races in my own district, but it seems unusual at the very least. Effectively, one city swung the election for the entire state but that one city is certainly not an accurate representation of the feelings of the state as a whole. Even with the strong skewing out of Madison/Dane county, the margin of victory was a whopping 204 votes. Again, I just can't see that as wholesale rejection or acceptance of anything.
Apologies for being unaware of Justice Butler, taken down by attack ads produced by Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce. This is a fast developing situation and my source was in error.
What I find interesting, however, is how quickly you're discarding the votes of people just because they're Liberal. At least up until now Conservatives haven't been able to realize their dreams in that regard, though they're trying. The Republican Party of Wisconsin and Koch-backed groups have a very active vote caging operation within the state.
http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/swv2010/swvhome.html
John, I'm not discarding any votes, just pointing out what I see as a flaw in your argument. It was basically one city in one county that dramatically shifted the results for the entire state. To 53% of the rest of my states population this isn't a particularly welcome shift.
It happens. Nebraska, for example is Omaha and the rest of the state, since so many of the state's residents live in Omaha. Wisconsin isn't as extreme but much of the state is sparsely populated.
Matt I don't live in Wisconsin however from 2001 thru until the wealthy and corporations have had their taxes lowered and with all the loopholes how many jobs have created and/or invested in this country vs outsourcing? With the record profits and hiding monies in off shore accounts articulate clearly why those who can clearly afford not also share in the burden in getting this country back on its feet? The wealthy had a huge hand in creating this problem, corporations also had a hand in creating this problem. Many of these corporations are not paying taxes how do you feel about that? Just asking.