Walker-Barrett Relationship Yields Some Cooperation, But Also Contention

Milwaukee’s Mayor is reminding Governor Scott Walker of the political differences between the two men.

Mayor Tom Barrett and Governor Scott Walker were rivals in two races for governor over the last three years. Recently, they worked together on a lakefront road deal in Milwaukee, and Thursday, they sat together at a news conference announcing an entrepreneur project. When quizzed by a reporter, though, Barrett said he and the governor still do not see completely eye to eye – especially on Walker’s state budget proposal.

“We are very disappointed, for example, with the residency language in the budget. And for the business community, it hurts the business community here and it has nothing to do with the budge. It should be removed from the budget. We need help on the foreclosure crisis, and we need the funding flaw in the school choice program addressed. That doesn’t mean we can’t work together where it’s possible to work together, but I’m also going to be very very up-front in the areas where we’re disappointed, where there’s not agreement, because we think that it hurts the city.”

Walker was later asked if he wanted to comment on Barrett’s remarks, and the governor briefly referred to his plan to do away with most residency laws for local government employees.

“No. I’ve defended it pretty well in the past. It’s one those where it will help get more school teachers in Milwaukee, and that’s our ultimate priority.”

Sometime this spring, the Legislative Fiscal Bureau is expected to issue its recommendation on what budget items truly relate to the state’s finances. That memo could affect the Barrett-Walker relationship.

Milwaukee’s Mayor is reminding Governor Scott Walker of the political differences between the two men.

Mayor Tom Barrett and Governor Scott Walker were rivals in two races for governor over the last three years. Recently, they worked together on a lakefront road deal in Milwaukee, and Thursday, they sat together at a news conference announcing an entrepreneur project. When quizzed by a reporter, though, Barrett said he and the governor still do not see completely eye to eye – especially on Walker’s state budget proposal.

“We are very disappointed, for example, with the residency language in the budget. And for the business community, it hurts the business community here and it has nothing to do with the budge. It should be removed from the budget. We need help on the foreclosure crisis, and we need the funding flaw in the school choice program addressed. That doesn’t mean we can’t work together where it’s possible to work together, but I’m also going to be very very up-front in the areas where we’re disappointed, where there’s not agreement, because we think that it hurts the city.”

Walker was later asked if he wanted to comment on Barrett’s remarks, and the governor briefly referred to his plan to do away with most residency laws for local government employees.

“No. I’ve defended it pretty well in the past. It’s one those where it will help get more school teachers in Milwaukee, and that’s our ultimate priority.”

Sometime this spring, the Legislative Fiscal Bureau is expected to issue its recommendation on what budget items truly relate to the state’s finances. That memo could affect the Barrett-Walker relationship.