Walker In The News Today

MADISON, Wis. (AP) Gov. Scott Walker has signed a pair of bills into law

designed to help those in the military and their families. One increases the reimbursement rate for travel expenses of National Guard members who are called to state active duty. Currently, those members are reimbursed for expenses like mileage, lodging and meals at the state rate. But the new law sets reimbursement at the higher federal rate. The other bill expands eligibility of a financial assistance program that currently applies only to family members of military members on active duty. The new law extends the benefit to members of the service and removes the requirement that they be on active duty. The benefit is up to $2,500 per recipient. Walker signed the bills Monday at the Wisconsin National Guard headquarters.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker is trying to chart a middle road in the debate over government surveillance in the name of national security. Walker was asked Monday how he felt about the recent spat between two other Republicans, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul.

Paul is from the libertarian wing of the party and has been outspoken about his concerns over government surveillance without warrants, which he calls a threat to freedom. But Christie called on Paul to make his point to the widows and orphans of those killed in the 9-11 terrorist attacks. Walker says he sees merit in both arguments, and believes in preserving national security while also protecting individual freedoms. Walker, Christie and Paul are all potential 2016 presidential candidates.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) Police have cited more protesters as their crackdown on almost-daily sing-alongs in the Wisconsin Capitol rotunda continues. Protesters have been singing songs complaining about Republican Gov. Scott Walker and GOP policies in the rotunda almost every noon hour for more than two years. Police launched a crackdown on them on July 24 for lacking a permit. They’ve issued more than 140 citations. Walker said Monday he thinks attention to the protests is “overblown” and all the singers have to do is get a permit and they won’t be interfered with. The singers contend they don’t need a permit to exercise their free speech rights. A federal judge has ruled the state can require permits for large groups. A state Department of Administration spokeswoman says officers cited 20 singers on Monday.