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'''Scott Kevin Walker''' (born November 2, 1967) is the current [[conservative]] [[Republican]] governor of [[Wisconsin]] and was a candidate in the [[2016 presidential election]]. Previously he was executive of Milwaukee County and a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly, and while in college he ran a student [[pro-life]] organization.

'''Scott Kevin Walker''' (born November 2, 1967) is the current [[conservative]] [[Republican]] governor of [[Wisconsin]] and was a candidate in the [[2016 presidential election]]. Previously he was executive of Milwaukee County and a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly, and while in college he ran a student [[pro-life]] organization.

Despite being in a blue state, Walker, with the help of the GOP-controlled legislature, successfully passed a large amount of solidly conservative legislation, including expanding [[gun rights]], protecting the [[right to life]], and making Wisconsin more business-friendly, among other accomplishments and despite the strong opposition of leftists. Wisconsin's economic position has strengthened due to his policies.

Despite being in a blue state, Walker, with the help of the GOP-controlled legislature, successfully passed a large amount of solidly conservative legislation, including expanding [[gun rights]], protecting the [[right to life]], and making Wisconsin more business-friendly, among other accomplishments and despite the strong opposition of leftists. Wisconsin's economic position has strengthened due to his policies.<ref name="WSJ"/>

==Early life==

==Early life==

When Scott Walker took office, Wisconsin had a budget deficit of $3.6 billion.<ref name="Helped">Szafir, CJ (April 22, 2016). [http://www.nationalreview.com/article/434401/ Walker’s Union Reforms Have Helped, Not Hurt, Wisconsinites]. ''National Review''. Retrieved October 21, 2016.</ref> Instead of raising taxes, the governor has set out on a mission to reduce costs across the board, make Wisconsin a business-friendly state, and give local governments the ability to make their own spending decisions.<ref name="Helped"/> The state's [[labor union]]s were in an uproar and protested Walker's decision to end union [[collective bargaining]] and force employees to fund part of their pensions, as well as to contribute to their own health and life insurance.

When Scott Walker took office, Wisconsin had a budget deficit of $3.6 billion.<ref name="Helped">Szafir, CJ (April 22, 2016). [http://www.nationalreview.com/article/434401/ Walker’s Union Reforms Have Helped, Not Hurt, Wisconsinites]. ''National Review''. Retrieved October 21, 2016.</ref> Instead of raising taxes, the governor has set out on a mission to reduce costs across the board, make Wisconsin a business-friendly state, and give local governments the ability to make their own spending decisions.<ref name="Helped"/> The state's [[labor union]]s were in an uproar and protested Walker's decision to end union [[collective bargaining]] and force employees to fund part of their pensions, as well as to contribute to their own health and life insurance.

Due to Walker's reforms, Wisconsin taxpayers have saved over $5.24 billion as of 2016, or $2,291 per household.<ref name="Helped"/> In addition, the state has saved over $3.36 billion and has increased its revenue by $404.8 million.<ref name="Helped"/> Despite leftist claims that Wisconsin's economy has stagnated under Walker, the evidence is overwhelming that the opposite is the case.<ref>Puzder, Andy (May 3, 2015). [http://www.wsj.com/articles/a-closer-look-at-scott-walkers-record-on-jobs-1430688558 A Closer Look at Scott Walker’s Record on Jobs]. ''The Wall Street Journal''. Retrieved October 21, 2016.</ref>

Due to Walker's reforms, Wisconsin taxpayers have saved over $5.24 billion as of 2016, or $2,291 per household.<ref name="Helped"/> In addition, the state has saved over $3.36 billion and has increased its revenue by $404.8 million.<ref name="Helped"/> Despite leftist claims that Wisconsin's economy has stagnated under Walker, the evidence is overwhelming that the opposite is the case.<ref name="WSJ">Puzder, Andy (May 3, 2015). [http://www.wsj.com/articles/a-closer-look-at-scott-walkers-record-on-jobs-1430688558 A Closer Look at Scott Walker’s Record on Jobs]. ''The Wall Street Journal''. Retrieved October 21, 2016.</ref>

Walker has been a strong advocate for the [[unborn]]. In 2011, he signed the Wisconsin state budget into law, which defunded [[Planned Parenthood]], making Wisconsin the fourth state to defund the illegal program.<ref>Zagorski, Sarah (August 24, 2015). [http://www.lifenews.com/2015/08/24/scott-walker-pushes-bill-to-de-fund-planned-parenthood-after-it-sells-aborted-baby-parts/ Scott Walker Pushes Bill to De-Fund Planned Parenthood After It Sells Aborted Baby Parts]. ''LifeNews.com''. Retrieved October 21, 2016.</ref> In addition, Walker has signed other [[pro-life]] bills into law,<ref>[http://archive.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/scott-walker-outlines-abortion-gay-marriage-positions-in-letter-b99375704z1-279975922.html Scott Walker outlines abortion, gay marriage positions in letter]. ''Milwaukee Journal Sentinel'' (from ''AP''). October 22, 2014. Retrieved October 21, 2016.</ref> including one to ban abortion after the 20th week of pregnancy.<ref>Stein, Jason (July 20, 2015). [http://archive.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/scott-walker-signs-bill-banning-abortions-after-20-weeks-b99540949z1-317539131.html Scott Walker signs 20-week abortion ban, trooper pay raise]. ''Milwaukee Journal Sentinel''. Retrieved October 21, 2016.</ref>

Walker has been a strong advocate for the [[unborn]]. In 2011, he signed the Wisconsin state budget into law, which defunded [[Planned Parenthood]], making Wisconsin the fourth state to defund the illegal program.<ref>Zagorski, Sarah (August 24, 2015). [http://www.lifenews.com/2015/08/24/scott-walker-pushes-bill-to-de-fund-planned-parenthood-after-it-sells-aborted-baby-parts/ Scott Walker Pushes Bill to De-Fund Planned Parenthood After It Sells Aborted Baby Parts]. ''LifeNews.com''. Retrieved October 21, 2016.</ref> In addition, Walker has signed other [[pro-life]] bills into law,<ref>[http://archive.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/scott-walker-outlines-abortion-gay-marriage-positions-in-letter-b99375704z1-279975922.html Scott Walker outlines abortion, gay marriage positions in letter]. ''Milwaukee Journal Sentinel'' (from ''AP''). October 22, 2014. Retrieved October 21, 2016.</ref> including one to ban abortion after the 20th week of pregnancy.<ref>Stein, Jason (July 20, 2015). [http://archive.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/scott-walker-signs-bill-banning-abortions-after-20-weeks-b99540949z1-317539131.html Scott Walker signs 20-week abortion ban, trooper pay raise]. ''Milwaukee Journal Sentinel''. Retrieved October 21, 2016.</ref>