MADISON, WI (WTAQ) - Governor Scott Walker says he’ll become more of a consensus-builder if he wins the June 5th recall election against him.

The Republican governor told the Associated Press Thursday he does not want to go through the acrimony of a year ago – when thousands of opponents protested against his measure that virtually ended most public union bargaining.

Walker repeated that he made a mistake by not telling Wisconsinites more about his plans in advance. He said the union law – plus making government workers pay more toward their retirements and health insurance – were necessary to help balance the state budget, and help local governments and schools control their costs without the need to raise taxes.

But critics said Walker was out to gut the influence of public unions. The governor again refused to say what he would do with a right-to-work bill if it got to his desk.

Walker has said he would not propose ending the practice of making non-union private workers pay dues charged by unions in the same company. But Assembly finance chair Robin Vos said he would vote for such a bill if somebody else brought up – but he wouldn’t initiate it.