Barrett calls union claim 'completely false' (WI)

JS Online ^ | 4-24-12 | Jason Stein

[afraidfortherepublic]

Madison -- Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett is rejecting a criticism of him made by the state teachers union that he favors expanding school voucher programs.

The claim was made in a mailing sent out to members by the Wisconsin Education Association Council, which supports former Dane County executive Kathleen Falk, Barrett’s opponent in the Democratic recall primary for governor.

“There are many things in there that are completely false,” Barrett said of the flier.

Barrett said he has consistently opposed expansions of the Milwaukee voucher school program because it negatively impacts property taxpayers in Milwaukee. The state program provides taxpayer money to private schools that take low-income students, including religious schools.

The WEAC mailer compared Barrett to Falk and state Sen. Kathleen Vinehout of Alma – all candidates in the Democratic primary for recall.

Of Tom Barrett, the flier said he “favors expanding voucher programs and increased taxpayer support for private schools.”

WEAC spokeswoman Christina Brey pointed to a June 2005 story in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel in which Barrett came out for lifting the cap then in place in state law on voucher school enrollments.

Barrett said at the time that he was willing to back that change in exchange for more financial support of all public schools statewide and allowing Milwaukee Public Schools to count voucher students in their state aid calculations. If it had been adopted, that proposal would have allowed the school system an estimated $16.1 million a year to reduce its property tax levy.

[afraidfortherepublic]

I love to watch when Democrats eat their own!

[afraidfortherepublic]

Wisconsin: Democrats eating their own ping

FReep Mail me if you want on, or off, this Wisconsin interest ping list.

[Jean S]

Barrett said he has consistently opposed expansions of the Milwaukee voucher school program because it negatively impacts property taxpayers in Milwaukee. The state program provides taxpayer money to private schools that take Ilow-income students, including religious schools.

I actually feel sorry for Tom Barrett. He had a fun run as congressman then decided to end his career as Milwaukee mayor. A job guaranteed for life, they love him in Milwaukee.

It's not working out well for him, the dem powers that be insisted that he run again for governor.

Absolutely pitiful.

[no dems]

I love to watch when Democrats eat their own!
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Ain’t that the truth? God knows we’ve watched the GOP Prez candidates do it for months. But, I hope this Primary so divides the Wisconsin DemocRATS that the loser and the loser’s supporters refuse to support the Primary winner in the General Election in June. Anybody think there’s a chance of that happening?

[no dems]

I actually feel sorry for Tom Barrett.
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I don’t feel sorry for any Democrat.