The Cost of Recall Elections 

        Wisconsin just had a recall election last week.  I am not a proponent of recall elections for many reasons including the monetary cost.  The recall process also creates civil strife and uncertainty, which hurts the economy and employment. 

        An attempt was made to recall Governor Scott Walker.  Governor Walker was first elected in 2010.  The recall election drew record voter turnout.  Walker is not only the first Governor to survive a recall election, but Walker won the recall by a larger margin than he was originally elected in 2010.  His victory was so decisive that most news networks called the election within one hour of the polls closing.  This was a great vote of confidence.

        The recall was started by WEAC (Wisconsin Education Association Council) after Walker changed the state’s public union bargaining rights.  Many of Wisconsin’s schools, the

state and most municipalities were facing huge budget deficits and layoffs.  One of Walker’s solutions was to limit the state’s public union’s bargaining rights. 

        The biggest change was to make public employees contribute to their medical insurance and pension funds.  This contribution was less than the private sector, but was very objectionable to public employees, as they had previously contributed nothing.  This was objectionable for both financial and emotional reasons.

        School districts were also no longer required to use WEAC’s medical insurance company and were allowed to ask for bids from other insurance companies.  This option produced large budget savings.

        Schools were also now allowed to reward and retain teachers based on merit and not just seniority.  This is obviously very objectionable to poorer quality teachers protected by seniority.

        The reforms were obviously very unpopular, but worked.  Layoffs were prevented, and budgets were balanced without increasing taxes.     

        I found it interesting that very little mention was made of the change in public sector union bargaining rights in the later stages of the campaign.  Obviously, the Democrats did not feel this was a winning campaign issue. 

        I thought recall elections were rare, but they are not as rare as I thought.  I think most states have provisions for recall elections.  The conditions of the recall vary from state to state. 

        A recall of a Governor is rare.  There have only been three.  North Dakota successfully recalled Lynn Frazier in 1921.  California successfully recalled Gray Davis in 2003.  Scott Walker survived Wisconsin’s recall in 2012.

        I think recall elections, if allowed at all, should only be for gross misconduct in office.  Recalls because of policy should defiantly not be allowed. 

        Allowing recalls for policy is totally counter productive.  This threatens elected officials who make hard decisions that might offend special interest groups.  The result is nothing gets done.  Problems facing the state get pushed down the road and only become more serious until they reach a crisis.  We see this now in several states and our federal government.

        Governor Walker was recalled because of his fiscal policy and the fact that he made hard decisions.  Walker stated clearly what he would do when he campaigned in 2010.  He said he would balance the budget without raising taxes.  He clearly stated specific changes that he would recommend.  He also said he would improve employment and the State’s economy. 

        After elected, Walker did just exactly what he said he would do. Think about this.  A politician that does exactly what he said he would do.  Does that even meet the definition of a politician?  

        What good came of the recall?  The recall cost the taxpayers $16,000,000 in election costs.  Over  $75,000,000 was spent on the campaigns.  Volunteers spent thousands of hours on the campaigns.  Do you think we could have found a better use for this ninety million dollars?

        Wisconsin was divided in a civil war.  I have heard people say Walker created a civil war.  I would disagree.  I think the people starting the recall created a civil war. 

        Wisconsin’s economy and employment were hurt by the recall.  Think about it.  Any business decision for expansion that can be postponed will be postponed until after the recall election.  This only makes good business sense.

        Basically nothing good came of this recall election except for a vote of confidence for Governor Walker.  The public said they are ready for politicians with sound fiscal policies that are willing to make tough decisions for the good of the state, the country and future generations. 

        I hope and pray this attitude extends to the federal government and the rest of our country.