Governor Walker’s legacy cemented by Kimberly Clark deal

Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, down to his final days as Governor, hopes one of his final acts as Governor will serve as his legacy. Walker has done an end around of the legislature, and inked a deal to provide up to $28 million in taxpayer money to keep a Kimberly Clark plant open in southeast Wisconsin. Under special gubernatorial powers, Walker was able to cement the deal with no vote by the legislature. It is ironic Walker wants this to be his legacy. Perhaps he thinks it shows his commitment to creating jobs. But in reality, the Kimberly Clark deal cements his legacy as someone willing to do anything to get his way. Someone willing to put politics over principle. Someone more concerned about the powerful than the little guy. Kimberly Clark doesn’t need state help. They could keep the plant open without $28 million of our money. This is a company that had more than $3 billion in profit last year. It’s tax rate was cut just last year from 35% to 19%. A company which has paid a total of just $1 in state income tax over the last four years. The company is insanely profitable, and thanks to Walker handing out our money like a Christmas gift, is about to become even more profitable. Some legacy indeed.