Burlington, News

Governor makes stop in Burlington for invitation-only meeting

By Jennifer Eisenbart

Editor

Making a stop in Burlington last week during his tour of area listening sessions, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker said that the closed-session format allows people to speak their minds.

“I’ve just found people are intimidated,” Walker said if the media are allowed into the sessions to which about 40 people are invited including businessmen and students, but media are excluded.

“There’s nothing to hide,” Walker said. “It’s just literally the matter of trying to make people feel more comfortable. We get a wide spectrum.”

Burlington’s listening session included Shad Branen – an entrepreneur who owns the Plaza Theater in Burlington and is planning a similar project in Lake Geneva – as well as local business owner Shelly Leverenz, who has been active in the Chamber of Commerce for several years.

Walker said the listening sessions have brought up familiar topics, including that of finding employees to fill the skilled-trade positions in the area.

“Workforce issues,” Walker said. “Employers tell us they have jobs open, but they don’t have enough people to fill those job.”

Walker said others at the session brought up work ethic and public assistance programs, as well as needing more emphasis on proper work skills.

Walker also provided a one-on-one interview following the listening session to answer any questions from the media.

One of the biggest topics for the Republican party remains presidential candidate Donald Trump.

“He wasn’t my first pick, obviously,” he said. “I was my first pick.”

But, Walker said, he still feels the country would be better off with Trump vs. Clinton.

“I said last summer at the first debate that I thought any of the Republicans running were better than Hillary Clinton,” he said. “I said it then, and I believe it today.

“Does that mean I embrace or endorse everything he says? Absolutely not.”

Walker said Trump’s success might fall on whether or not his campaign can keep the focus on Clinton and himself, and not other issues. He said voters in the state are engaged and “smart,” which will hopefully provide an individual view of each candidate in each race.

Within Wisconsin, Walker said road work issues continue, with a survey out to find out whether toll roads will be supported. The tuition freeze for the University of Wisconsin system remains popular, but he said additional money will be available based on performance.

Those issues tied back to something he said he heard throughout the listening session.

“Overall, just an interest in quality of life,” Walker said.

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