SEYMOUR, WI (WTAQ) – As county clerks around Wisconsin started recounting ballots Thursday from last month’s presidential election, Governor Scott Walker slammed the idea of the exercise.
“Well I think we need to call it what it is, this is nothing more than a fundraising scheme for the Green Party,” Governor Walker said. “They’re using this to both raise money for the recount, for which they haven’t committed to using all of it for a recount, they’ll probably keep some of it, and then they’ll create a long-term mailing list that they’ll use for their political function.”
Green Party candidate Jill Stein requested the recount, citing concerns election machines used in the state may have been tampered with. Stein has yet to provide evidence of such tampering, as Walker believes that the outcome in the Badger State likely won’t change.
“Even though it seems ridiculous to put clerks across the state, who are in the process of making sure property tax bills are out, collecting those property taxes through the end of the year, they’ve already had a big election cycle to go through,” said Walker. “It’s unfortunate, but it’s legal, they can do it.”
Walker added that a Republican Party billboard campaign is only looking to ensure that the recount is handled properly. According to the Wisconsin Elections Commission, anyone wanting to see the recount process in your county must show a photo ID. You can find out more about the process here.
VICTORY TOUR STOP
Governor Walker says that since November 8th’s election, he has been in contact multiple times with both President-elect Donald Trump and vice president-elect Mike Pence. On Thursday, the victorious Republicans kicked off their “Thank You” tour in Cincinnati.
With planned stops in other states which helped win the election like Michigan and Pennsylvania, will Wisconsin be on the list?
“My guess it would be no later than the next two weeks,” Walker said. “And I’ve heard multiple sites from Green Bay to Eau Claire to Milwaukee, Kenosha. So I’d image that would change multiple times.”
Walker, a former GOP presidential candidate himself, said at first he had heard something was planned for Friday or Saturday of this week. However, that never came to fruition.
“I think a lot of it depends on what’s happening with his transition team,” said Walker, adding that he will be in attendance whenever and wherever that stop is finalized.
EXPANDING BROADBAND
Speaking to a small group at the Muehl Public Library in Seymour, Walker announced his proposal to invest an extra $35.5 million for broadband expansion and technology program efforts over the next three years.
“Over the past year, we’ve conducted more than 70 listening sessions in communities throughout the state, and one of the topics we hear brought up all the time is access to reliable broadband internet,” Walker said. “This will allow Wisconsin communities, especially in rural areas, to compete for jobs, improve education and provide a higher quality of life.”
The bill, which will be formally introduced in January, appropriates an additional estimated $35.5 million for broadband expansion efforts and TEACH grants over fiscal years 2017, 2018 and 2019. It would also eliminate a barrier to broadband development by prohibiting the state Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Transportation from requiring appraisals or charging any fee prior to granting any permits or easements for the construction of broadband infrastructure in underserved areas.
“As Wisconsin continues to compete in the global economy, it is crucial for our small businesses, schools and households to have access to the internet,” said Walker. “This legislation helps expand broadband access for areas in need as we work towards building an infrastructure where every community is able to connect to fast and reliable internet.”
According to a news release, the funding comes from a surplus in the Universal Service Fund. The broadband expansion funds would be administered through the Public Service Commission and the TEACH program funds would be administered through the Department of Administration.
The TEACH program provides money to eligible schools, libraries and other educational institutions to upgrade technology and train teachers from small and rural school districts on technology.
