Wisconsin governor candidate forum.

• Position: FEI CHAPTER NEWS - Conference notes

The Northeastern Wisconsin Chapter co-hosted a nonpartisan Wisconsin Gubernatorial Candidate Forum, featuring Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, a Democrat, and Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker, a Republican. The forum was co-hosted with the law firm of Godfrey & Kahn, an FEI partner/sponsor, and the regional economic development group NewNorth.

Jerry Murphy, executive director of NewNorth opened the forum by outlining the results of a recent Competitive Wisconsin report. The report ranked Wisconsin very low with regard to taxes and business climate, yet ranked the state very high in health care and education.

Murphy's comments were followed with allowing each candidate 45 minutes of floor time to present his position, particularly with regard to Wisconsin's existing $3-billion deficit.

Barrett said that in his six years as Milwaukee's mayor, he has lived by the mantra, "What's the purpose of hiding bad news?" He added he had no plans to either raise or cut taxes during this time of fiscal deficits, saying he believes Madison (the state capital) needs to be put on a "diet." Barrett's focus on reducing the deficit will require changes in...