Scott Walker-Created Agency Has Spent Almost $60,000 On iPads

A new Wisconsin public-private economic development agency created by Republican Gov. Scott Walker spent almost $60,000 on iPads and 3G Service for them despite repeated claims by the governor that the state is "broke," reports the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.

In his successful push to curtail collective bargaining rights for most public employees and forcing state employees to pay more for their health care and pensions, Gov. Walker repeatedly called his state "broke." "We're broke. We don't have any more money," he said in a news conference on February 21. In a speech on March 1, he said, "The facts are clear: Wisconsin is broke and it's time to start paying our bills today so our kids are not stuck with even bigger bills tomorrow." PolitiFact ruled his description of the state's finances as "broke" as "false."

The Republican-controlled legislature passed a law creating the public-private entity in February that Gov. Walker signed. The board consists of 13 members -- the governor, six Walker appointees and six chosen by the state Assembly and the Senate leaderships. Some Walker appointees donated to his campaign. Walker sees the agency as part of his plan to create 250,000 new jobs in the state.

A spokesman for the new entity said to the Journal-Sentinel that the iPads were cheaper than laptop computers and the department needed to upgrade its technology.

Walker said in December that he wanted the agency to have high standards for ethics. "We want to make sure that both from an ethics and open government standpoint and overall in terms of accountability that we have full disclosure and accountability."

Comments

[lc1]

12:15 PM on 11/21/2011

Whats missing here is the cost savings over time by replacing laptops and other communication devices. There is an IT budget so not sure why this is such a big deal. This article presents no facts regarding the IT depts budget. Was money saved by moving to iPads? Did government workers become more efficient with the iPads? Its not unheard of to implement new technology to save money in future.

[alteredstory]

11:45 AM on 10/29/2011

As I have said many, many, many times before - look at what they DO, not what they SAY. Walker has been a public official before, in Milwaukee, and he ended up costing the city millions.

He TALKS about fiscal responsibility, but like with all the rest of the GOP, it's ONLY talk.

[OlskoolDem]

11:07 AM on 10/11/2011

These Commerce Dept workers already have WI State paid for lap tops and now I-pads
The old civil service workers were replaced by Walker appointees.
Recall the CROOK.

[Eidolas]

09:51 AM on 10/12/2011

The attempt to recall Walker will cost the state millions but the Dems are up in arms over $60,000. Amazing.

[OlskoolDem]

04:18 PM on 10/12/2011

Y'all "conservatives" are all about keeping the costs down except for living in your 5,000 sq ft houses, driving $75,000 cars wearing $5K suits 500.00 shirts and feeling a Right to a greater tax break entitlement than the Workers that make your SH%$.
It ain't just DEM.s that are outraged with this guy pal.

[alteredstory]

11:46 AM on 10/29/2011

This is just another example in a long line.

As much as you would like this to be the only thing liberals are angry about with Walker, it's not.

[lc1]

12:17 PM on 11/21/2011

What was the age of the laptops? Did the iPads replace the laptops? Would the IT department have to have replaced laptops this year anyways? There is alot of information missing here. These civil service workers are union members that want Walker recalled. I dont think they would stand for waste.

[Eidolas]

12:34 PM on 10/10/2011

Slow news day apparently. Ho hum.

[robert horwitz]

09:35 AM on 10/10/2011

I think that Hollywood should do another sequel to the movie (Jaws) staring Governor Scott Walker as the Great White. This is a roll tailor made for the Wisconsin Governor with an ending most of us would appreciate.

[thebuzzmanisone]

10:48 PM on 10/09/2011

so when did an i-pad do more than a laptop.

[12Purple]

02:56 PM on 10/11/2011

It doesn't

[lc1]

07:33 PM on 11/21/2011

depends on the job. there wasnt many choices other than laptops in the past. many of my clients have dropped laptops for the ipad.

[maceov]

09:56 PM on 10/09/2011

How can you tell that "Koch-controlled" puppet Scott Walker is lying???

Just look him in those dead, uncaring eyes, and see the windows of his soul... Oops, I forgot, he doesn't seem to have one!

[DirectProf]

08:45 PM on 10/09/2011

Really, Wisconsin? I mean, I thought we in Ohio had the biggest idiot governor in John Kasich, but every now and again I think Scott Walker wins. Can we send them both somewhere else, please?

[Rollin my eyes]

08:39 PM on 10/09/2011

get a clue, scotty - there are already a lot of angry birds in wisconsin.

[nuppup]

07:31 PM on 10/09/2011

Another article about scott walker doing "something" and people who have nothing to do conjure up nefarious motivations for his actions.

[VBH1622]

07:09 PM on 10/09/2011

So iPads are cheaper than laptops. At the Apple store, perhaps. But they could have tried Best Buy, a Minnesota company, and gotten laptops considerably cheaper than a fully rigged out iPad.

And I love my iPad. But I don't kid myself about its bang for the buck!

[lc1]

07:34 PM on 11/21/2011

depends what people are using it for. Many companies issue laptops for email communications. I hardly call that cost efficient

[akdennis]

05:32 PM on 10/09/2011

I wonder if he'll keep that smug, superior smirk after he gets recalled. Probably. He knows that he'll be on to the BIG bucks on K Street if he gets voted out of office. Not a bad consolation prize.

[Mary K Goulette Molaski]

04:47 PM on 10/09/2011

Rules and cut backs are for everyone but me and all my buddies says Mr. Walker. When does the recall process start?????????????

[taffycat]

08:06 PM on 10/09/2011

Recall process starts in Jan. 2012, if memory serves me right . . .

[WhatWereTheyThinking]

02:38 PM on 10/10/2011

The county election officials can use iPads to tally vote counts (instead of using the server-based applications) and and ensure Walker remains in office.

[lc1]

07:35 PM on 11/21/2011

lets tally, $65,000 for ipads vs millions of dollars for a recall election? Youre really that upset about $65K? You people didnt even make any sense.

[1johnf]

04:28 PM on 10/09/2011

Clarification needed: WALKER DOESN'T HAVE CONTRIBUTERS, HE HAS INVESTORS!

[1johnf]

04:25 PM on 10/09/2011

I'm expecting to hear next that our beloved Scooter gave the contract for the toys to his brother-in-law.