Mayor Candidate Releases Statement Supporting Budget Repair Bill

Muskego mayor candidate Luke Hudock issued a statement late on Tues., Feb. 22 about Governor Scott Walker's budget repair bill.

In short, Hudock supports the bill because he feels that without collective bargaining, Muskego will have the freedom to negotiate with its own employees without a middleman.

"Without collective bargaining, there is an A-B relationship," he said. "The potential is there to improve relationships and improve services."

Here is his statement in full:

The State of Wisconsin and Governor Walker have been making headlines for the past week.  Governor Walker’s Budget Repair Bill has received national attention and by now most everyone has an opinion on his proposal. 

While the focus has rightfully been on the Statehouse in Madison, Governor Walker’s bill will have a direct and vital impact on every municipality in the State.  Due to the extraordinary attention this issue has garnered, as a candidate for Mayor, I believe it is my responsibility to make my position on this issue clear to the people of Muskego.

I believe Governor Walker’s Budget Repair Bill is the proper and responsible step to take at this time.  Collective bargaining for State workers must be removed in order to make any significant progress towards achieving the stated goal of having balanced budgets for years to come.  In addition, removing these rights will give cities across Wisconsin the needed tools to deal with their own unique budgetary issues without having to collectively bargain with their employees.  The cuts are coming.  All municipalities will be receiving far less State aid in the coming years and I believe this bill will provide local governments with the flexibility to make it through the tough times that are on the horizon.

I realize that taking a position on such a hot button issue as this Budget Repair Bill is not the usual course of action for a candidate during a campaign.  The politically expedient response would be to try to appeal to both sides and not take a definitive position one way or the other so as not to offend or lose potential votes.  I reject that as a matter of principle.  I am running for the position of Mayor.  A Mayor is a leader more than anything else.  Mayors must take stands on controversial issues and let their position be known whether it is politically popular or not.  That shouldn’t only start once elected.

Things have been a certain way in Wisconsin for a very long time and they are changing before our eyes.  Change this drastic is never easy, but it is necessary.  The great people of Wisconsin will come together in short order no matter how divisive the issue once the rhetoric fades and we choose to be led by character and principles rather than pettiness and politics.  I believe, in the end, people can handle these hard decisions that must be made and will give credit to those who make them.  On this issue, I am proud to stand with Governor Scott Walker and I admire his resolve and conviction in doing what he thinks is right for the people of Wisconsin.

Luke Hudock
Candidate for Mayor, Muskego