It might be a good idea for everyone, not just Walker's political foes/critics/watchdogs, to keep an eye on Walker's moves to sell off state utilities, plants and other assets.
Could it be that this is what the real power play is all about, the supposedly "conservative" Gov. Scott Walker very liberally turning over Wisconsin's assets to someone who absolutely does not have us and our state's best interest in mind?
Here's the section of Walker's "budget repair" bill that would enable him to do that:
State of Wisconsin
SENATE BILL 11
http://legis.wisconsin.gov/2011/data/JR1SB-11.pdf
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SECTION 44. 16.896 of the statutes is created to read:Here's a list of Koch properties/subsidiaries/operations already in Wisconsin:
16.896 Sale or contractual operation of state−owned heating, cooling, and power plants. (1) Notwithstanding ss. 13.48 (14) (am) and 16.705 (1), the
department may sell any state−owned heating, cooling, and power plant or may
contract with a private entity for the operation of any such plant, with or without
solicitation of bids, for any amount that the department determines to be in the best
interest of the state. Notwithstanding ss. 196.49 and 196.80, no approval or
certification of the public service commission is necessary for a public utility to
purchase, or contract for the operation of, such a plant, and any such purchase is
considered to be in the public interest and to comply with the criteria for certification
of a project under s. 196.49 (3) (b).
http://www.kochind.com/factsSheets/WisconsinFacts.aspx
Walker's actions could end up giving the Koch brothers a ownership of resources, distribution and generation of energy monopoly in Wisconsin.
- # Flint Hills Resources, LLC, through its subsidiaries, is a leading refining and chemicals company. Its subsidiaries market products such as gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, ethanol, olefins, polymers and intermediate chemicals, as well as base oils and asphalt. A subsidiary distributes refined fuel through its strategically located pipelines and terminals in Junction City, Waupun, Madison and Milwaukee. Another subsidiary manufactures asphalt that is distributed to terminals in Green Bay and Stevens Point.
- # Koch Pipeline Company, L.P. operates a pipeline system that crosses Wisconsin, part of the nearly 4,000 miles of pipelines owned or operated by the company.
- # The C. Reiss Coal Company is a leading supplier of coal used to generate power. The company has locations in Green Bay, Manitowoc, Ashland and Sheboygan.
How "conservative" is that?
It's very conservative, for Walker that is, because private entities (the Kochs) can give campaign contributions and public entities cannot. Remember when he wanted to privatize the Milwaukee County Airport? Se4ll it off to a company that could pad his campaign, all at taxpayer expense?
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