By Stephanie Schriock
Scott Walker has made one thing very clear during his political career – the only future he’s looking out for is his own.
He has routinely worked against hardworking Wisconsinites, refusing to back policies that would increase their economic security.
Under his leadership, Wisconsin has slipped to last in the region in job creation and many of those who are working are burdened with a minimum wage that is not enough to make ends meet.
The minimum wage plays a large role in the state’s economy; in fact, almost 100,000 people were earning the minimum wage of $7.25 an hour in 2012.
But, anyone working for minimum wage knows that as is, it’s not nearly enough to support a family.
A parent working full time for the minimum wage would still fall below the poverty line for a family of four.
The University of Wisconsin’s Center on Wisconsin Strategy found raising the state’s minimum to $10.10 an hour would raise the pay of half a million Wisconsinites, which would change the lives of families across the state.
However, when Governor Walker was asked about the minimum wage, his response was not that it was too low, or needed reevaluation, it was: “I don’t think it serves a purpose.”
For Wisconsin women economic security can be even harder to find. Women in Wisconsin are paid just 79 cents for every dollar their male counterparts are paid for the same job.
For African American women that number drops to just 64 cents. But apparently Scott Walker didn’t see that as a problem. He chose to repeal an already existing law helping women fight back against gender discrimination in pay.
Before Walker repealed it, the Equal Pay Enforcement Act was working – Wisconsin’s rank among states with equal pay for men and women was rising.
It’s not surprising then, that he chose not to publicize his repeal of such an important law for Wisconsin women.
Walker might be given some leeway on his pay policies if the economy in Wisconsin was so booming that everyone had a chance at a good job.
But, on his watch, Wisconsin has fallen to dead last in the Midwest in jobs. And yet he had the audacity to claim that “we don’t have a jobs problem in this state.”
Put plainly, he failed to make good on his campaign jobs promises and is now trying to distract voters from his record.
But Walker’s record is clear. His lack of support for policies to give families a fair shot show that he does not understand the economic realities that Wisconsin women and families are facing.
He has chosen time and time again to turn his back on hardworking men and women, failing them on a livable wage, equal pay, and jobs.
Walker’s brand of leadership is one that focuses only on advancing his own career and not on advancing the lives of the people of Wisconsin who deserve better.
Stephanie Schriock is the President of EMILY’s List, the nation’s largest resource for women in politics. Visit www.emilyslist.org
