Scott Walker: 5 Facts on the Wisconsin Governor Going After Public Employees

Meet the new boss.

In his recently unveiled budget, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker plans to cut benefits to state workers, increase their personal contributions to health care and retirement, and end their collective bargaining power. State employees are not pleased with the proposed cuts, and union organizers have mounted protests over the weekend. The Republican governor has also hinted he might use the somewhat-big-government strategy of calling out the National Guard to prevent government workers from striking.

Surge Desk presents a few facts on the new man in Madison.

1. A history in politics
Though Walker garnered some tea party support in his run for office, he's been an elected official most of his adult life. Before winning election in 2010 as part of the national Republican wave, Walker served for eight years as the county executive of Milwaukee, and was first elected to the state Legislature in 1993.

2. Allergic to government money
During his time as county executive, Walker said he was overpaid, and gave $370,000 in salary back to the county over eight years. Walker's fiscal conservatism trickles down to his home life: His ride is a 1998 Saturn with more than 100,000 miles. He has also rejected $810 million in federal stimulus money, effectively killing a proposed light-rail project between Madison and Milwaukee.

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3. Badger boy
In high school, Walker represented Wisconsin's Badger Boys, a leadership program affiliated with the American Legion that trains young men in leadership and prepares them for roles in government. Other notable Badger Boy alumni include former Wisconsin governors and jazz singer Al Jarreau.

4. College dropout
Walker left college early to take a job with the American Red Cross. He's the first Wisconsin governor in 64 years to lack a college degree.

5. He'll probably get his way
With a projected budget shortfall of $3.6 billion, the state is facing severe budget cuts. Both houses of the Wisconsin Legislature are controlled by Republican majorities, so it is likely that many cuts affecting state employees will be approved.

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