This probably shouldn’t come as a shock, but it does.
Out of the $26 billion dollar settlement reached yesterday across 50 states regarding foreclosure fraud, $31.6 million is going to the Wisconsin state government. Governor Scott Walker has already drawn up plans for this money, and his plans don’t involve aiding homeowners. Walker plans to use the money to plug holes in the state budget. Holes which were primarily created by his administration and the Republican-controlled state legislature with the passage of new corporate tax cuts.
Of a $31.6 million payment coming directly to the state government, most of that money – $25.6 million – will go to help close a budget shortfall revealed in newly released state projections. [Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen], whose office said he has the legal authority over the money, made the decision in consultation with Walker.
“Just like communities and individuals have been affected, the foreclosure crisis has had an effect on the state of Wisconsin, in terms of unemployment. … This will offset that damage done to the state of Wisconsin,” Walker said.
At the very least, Governor Walker could consider using the money to rehire some of the public employees he has shit-canned in the only state in the union to post job losses the last six months in a row. Instead, he’s using the money to cover up his own messes.
Fortunately for Wisconsin, Scott Walker does not have jurisdiction over the remainder of the settlement money which will go directly to Wisconsin residents.
See what happens when you “leave it up to the states?”
(via ThinkProgress)
