Real image of Robin Vos unavailable
I'm not really sure how to title this
gobsmacking piece of news. I'm ready for suggestions, though (Kosmail me).
The Milwaukee Bucks have new owners and like many owners of sports franchises, they want a shiny new stadium - a topic I covered in Top Comments recently.
From the article linked first:
The Milwaukee Bucks investors who are seeking public money for a new arena will have to negotiate a difficult political path in Madison, where Republicans have widened their control of the Legislature.
The latest sign of trouble for those wanting public money for the arena came from Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester), who said he thinks Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry made a mistake by greeting President Barack Obama at the airport in the lead-up to last week's election.
That's right, folks. If you show any respect to President Obama, you're in serious trouble with the GOP and when they're in control of the Governorship and entire Legislature (thanks, Gerrymander), there's going to be hell to pay. And going to meet the President of the United States (hated Democrat) when he comes to your city seems outrageous to loyal Republicans. All Hail GOP.
It gets worse because Vos tries to shift the blame to others:
Vos said Lasry's appearance "did not make my job easier" in terms of persuading Republican legislators to back a possible financial plan to build a new, multipurpose arena in Milwaukee.
"It's a tough sell when you're asking for millions of dollars," Vos said.
It's going to be tough to back pedal this incredibly bare-knuckled partisan threat because it wasn't an isolated comment:
For the moment, Vos' comments about Lasry's visit with Obama have grabbed the headlines on the issue. In addition to his statements to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, he made similar ones to the Milwaukee Business Journal and WISN-TV's "UpFront with Mike Gousha."
"If you're looking to people for support, you certainly don't want to poke people in the eye," Vos told the Business Journal.
Oh yeah, Republicans are going there. Business owners are now on notice - if you want anything from Republicans, you'd better play ball their way and demonstrate that you hate Obama and the Democrats as much as they do. Or else.
Of course, in Walkers Wisconsin, it's only his donors and supporters that are "entitled" to tax dollars. Just look at WEDC for proof. And the voucher school industry. And open pit mining.... It's a long list.
Those statements aren't just hanging in the air unopposed.
On Wednesday, the liberal group One Wisconsin Now asked Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm and Racine County District Attorney W. Richard Chiapete to launch an investigation into Vos' comments to Gousha.
The group contends Vos may have violated a state law that bars public officials from promising to take official acts — or promising to refrain from taking officials acts — because of political contributions.
While the new Bucks owner has contributed to Democratic candidates in the past, he did not contribute to Mary Burke's unsuccessful campaign to replace Scott Walker as Governor.
It's incredible how much Republicans abuse power when they're in office, in the majority, and in control. And no bottom to how low they'll go either.
It's Friday. This space left vacant for any News Dump that comes my way.