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Saturday, March 5, 2011

Walker Agenda Means More Taxpayer Money for Big Business, Less for Average Citizens.

Some bloggers and media types would think the dictatorial style of Scott Walker and his majority band of rubber stampers is a gift that keeps on giving. I personally wish I had my life back. Story after story, post after post. Having added my own perspective to much of the material I’ve dug up, I felt less of an aggregator, and more of a contributor.

But there’s so much to get to now, that it’s hard to even write a line or two before the next avalanche.  
Capitol Times writer Mike Ivey wrote what I might have written had I had enough time.  Apparently Walker doesn’t mind spending more of our hard earned money as long as it goes to big business. I hope you’re sitting down for this unbelievable report:
If you like burning fossil fuels … then you'll love Gov. Walker's proposed budget.
The 1,345-pager takes a whack at scores of environmental efforts, from nixing the state Office of Energy Independence to actually encouraging state vehicles to use more gasoline.
 
Seriously, you can't make this stuff up. 
And with pump prices marching toward $4 a gallon, you wonder if any thought went into the long-term fiscal impacts. Walker wants to eliminate the Office of Energy Independence, which works to reduce the state's annual energy bill. The OEI was designed to work with the biofuels industry, renewable energy markets and alternative energy researchers here at home. 
Instead, Walker wants the Department of Administration to develop a "cost-effective, balanced, reliable, and environmentally-responsible energy strategy to promote economic growth … Walker wants to do away with any requirements regarding use of hybrid-electric vehicles or alternative fuels in state-owned vehicles. 
The proposed budget also deletes a rule the state consider energy use in the purchase of new appliances, lighting or heating systems costing under $5,000. 
As a final kicker, the bill eliminates the Small Business Environmental Council, which assists small businesses in complying with federal and state laws regulating air and water pollution. 
Energy efficiency or evironmental laws? No need for 'em if you're open for business.
Citizens send over $20 billion out of state every. 

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