For Immediate Release
September 25, 2018
Contact: Alex Japko, alexj@wisdems.org
Calls Walker Attacks Against Tony Evers “Fear Mongering”
Once again, Scott Walker is getting criticized by a former cabinet member for his leadership failures and dishonest campaigning. Today, it’s his former Transportation Secretary Mark Gottlieb ramping up his criticism of his former boss.
Gottlieb called out Walker’s campaign for running dishonest ads which he said shows they are ”either completely irresponsible or it shows a lack of understanding of the budget in general.”
Read the full story here, or excerpts below:
Wisconsin State Journal: Scott Walker’s former transportation chief ramps up criticism of his former boss
Gov. Scott Walker’s former transportation chief is ramping up his criticism that his former boss hasn’t leveled with Wisconsinites about the repercussions of his approach to funding the state’s transportation system.
In an interview Wednesday with the Wisconsin State Journal, Mark Gottlieb, who led the state Department of Transportation from 2011 to 2017, said Walker is “fear-mongering” by claiming his campaign opponent, Democrat Tony Evers, could raise the gas tax by as much as a dollar per gallon.
…”It’s either completely irresponsible or it shows a lack of understanding of the budget in general,” Gottlieb said of Walker’s campaign using the $1 increase in a campaign ad.
Gottlieb, a former Republican lawmaker, said he is not affiliated with Evers’ campaign but declined to say who he’s supporting in the election. Two other former Walker cabinet secretaries have cut campaign videos for Evers.
…Since early 2017, when Walker tapped Dave Ross to lead the agency after Gottlieb stepped down, the agency also has been criticized for operating more secretively.
Speaking Tuesday, Gottlieb said “there seems to be diminished transparency (in the department) — I think that’s true.”
Gottlieb said Walker is at fault for not acknowledging the consequences of his opposition to a revenue infusion for roads, bridges and transit — most of the state funding for which comes from fuel taxes and vehicle registration fees.