GOP gubernatorial candidate Tim Michels spoke and took questions at a Rotary Club of Milwaukee luncheon this week. Michels promised massive tax reform that would include a flax income tax somewhere below 5%. When asked for his specific plans on how to address rising crime, Michels promised to “talk to the bad guys” in his inaugural speech. “I doubt if they’ll be listening, OK? But word will get out: Governor Michels is not going to tolerate what’s going on right now.’ And this attitude that they have where they think they can get away with it, it’s going to stop,” Michels said. The GOP candidate and construction executive also disputed the notion that more gun control will solve the crime issue, pointing to stabbings across the state that have also resulted in deadly violence.
On the subject of a sales tax for Milwaukee, Michels promised to sit down with experts and review Milwaukee’s financial situation. “Where are they spending money? What are all the government programs? What are all the city programs?…And if I’m convinced they are spending their money efficiently, then we will consider… a sales tax at the county level,” Michels said. On education in Milwaukee, Michels promised to bring all the stakeholders together to make things better. He said that if Milwaukee Public Schools need to be broken up to make the system better for students, he would do it. “We’re also going to create competition in the education marketplace,” Michels vowed. Michels pointed to universal school choice as a way not only to make schools more efficient and effective, but also empower parents to make sure their tuition dollars are going to schools that are offering a good product.
Access to abortion was also a topic broached at the luncheon. Michels said he would sign a bill to amend Wisconsin’s current abortion law to allow exceptions for race and incest. “I’m not an authoritarian governor. I’m a governor who has common sense who listens to the people,” Michels said. The GOP candidate also said he’s “not against contraceptives” and that he would “never arrest a doctor.”
Watch the speech here
