[Updated continuously from July, 2017] This frequently-updated archive follows Wisconsin's award of $4.5 billion in state and local funds, plus waivers of routine judicial and environmental reviews, for a promised Foxconn factory development on Racine County farmland and wetlands near Lake Michigan.
* Idiocracy on full display as Walker strips another $90 million from the budget to fix what are the second-worst roads in America:
road-building Transportation. My take: the real blight began with Walker, spread to the Legislature and infected the local governments there and now it's a full-on outbreak of Foxconn Fever.
* Idiocracy on full display as Walker strips another $90 million from the budget to fix what are the second-worst roads in America:
Walker's Foxconn Fever infects state road repair budget* The WI DNR will hold a March 7th hearing on the application to a body of Great Lakes governors under terms of a 2008 multi-state/US-Canada compact for a Foxconn Lake Michigan water diversion. That Compact set a high bar for diversions in exceptional cases to address water shortages or health issues, not to guaranty the well-being of a business that, in turn, would give one state an economic advantage by tapping into this shared, finite resource.
Foxconn diversion undermines Great Lakes Compact. Hearing 3/7.* The Village of Mount Pleasant begins blight-designation processes for Foxconn farmland and other properties for their faster acquisition to serve both the company and the state Department of
Blighted tag could get Foxconn rural land more quickly* To pay for expensive road projects like those he's promised to Foxconn, Walker would raise the gas tax, institute toll roads and even take federal infrastructure funding he once sneeringly called 'free,' even if comes with increased state matches.
Nothing matches Walker's flips on federal matching federal $$* The GOP says it likes choice, except when it comes to transportation.
How Walker sunk Amtrak funding, boosted I-94 work in Southern WI* Road tolling used to be a third rail issue in Wisconsin. Now the WI GOP is talking it up, and the need for hundreds of millions of dollars for Foxconn road-building is driving the issue.
WI road-tolling? Costly - - and no quick fix.* The report says all Foxconn plants, including Wisconsin's, could be fully automated, though it's more likely that some workers would be retained for certain tasks.
WI Foxconn plant could be robotized: report* Billions for Foxconn, millions for Kimberly-Clark all tied to Walker's failed 250-000 new jobs pledge.
Walker's famous FUBAR 250,000 new jobs pledge bites him again* Boxed in by election-year pressures and the precedent he invented, Walker is offering Foxconn-level job-retention subsidies to Kimberly-Clark (and even more widely, he says). K-C has said it is funding plant closings in Wisconsin and elsewhere with Trump-Ryan tax cut dollars. Subsidy on top of subsidy.
Desperate Walker forced to offer another company Foxconn-level subsidies* Add in the cost of marketing jobs to out-of-staters, then consider the losses to Wisconsin workers and communities if Chicagoans commute in for jobs paid for by Wisconsin taxpayers, and the true cost to Wisconsin of the Foxconn-per-job subsidy keeps rising.
Why the per-Foxconn-job subsidy is actually more than $200,000* Never has so much public money been thrown away by a Wisconsin politician.
Walker's lavish public spending on Foxconn explained* This data-driven report shows how little of Wisconsin's $4.5 billions in subsidies to Foxconn is actually directly related to job creation and sets a new standard for reporting about an unprecedented Badger State boondoggle.
Wisconsin Budget Project's invaluable Foxconn report* The Wisconsin DNR can move really fast if Foxconn has a need.
Fast-tracked 3/7 Great Lakes water diversion hearing for Foxconn* Foxconn wants huge water Lake Michigan diversion, so a lot to clean before returning it.
Foxconn's Lake Michigan diversion will exceed Waukesha's initial draw* Add air pollution to the Foxconn impact.
Foxconn will be major emitter of air pollutants* Walker figures the utility customers in WI and three more states picking up a $117 million tab for Foxconn will be too busy or curious to notice it among billions more.
Ratepayers regionally to pay for Foxconn utilities' expansion* Yorkville, in Foxconn project zone, saying "no" to water, land use changes.
Foxconn-area town balks at project's sprawl demands* Walker's new Wisconsin Idea involves sending business elsewhere.
Foxconn general contractors based in Rhode Island, Germany* Walker and the GOP legislature gave Foxconn a special fast-track route to the State Supreme Court for litigation arising in state courts. But as I predicted in November, there could be lawsuits over property seizure, and sure enough there is now a federal lawsuit on that very point which will not go on the Walker/Foxconn special state court fast-track.
Federal lawsuit detours around sweetheart WI/Foxconn fast-track* The company can quickly bulldoze the land, so why not tenants living there?
Media inquiries slow the Foxconn eviction machine* Foxconn wetlands filling begins. More to come, perhaps statewide, as what's good for Foxconn is good for every other small wetland owner in Wisconsin, GOP boosters say.
First Foxconn wetlands fill is big; more to come* Because every dollar for Foxconn roadwork is a dollar not spent filling potholes and repairing roads across the state which rank second-worst for repairs nationally.
Why no Walker ribbon-cutting on first Foxconn roadwork* Ah, what's eleven grand these days?
The $11,508 Foxconn question of the day* While potholes grow like mushrooms, Walker wants even more taxpayer transportation $$ for Foxconn.
Governor Pothole and his Foxconn infatuation* Walker after federal funds for Foxconn.
Walker's tightening Big Government embrace* Yeah, just skip that huge payment.
Try this Foxconn payment-skipping maneuver with YOUR bank* Walker starves roads statewide, finds $30 million for new road for Foxconn.
Expect Walker to deny, distract over new $30 mil. Foxconn road* Walker wants to lure environmentally-tuned in millennials to the GOP's \environmentally-degraded WI.
Walker train ad stupidity and hypocrisy, part three* Right-wing lawyers threaten local Foxconn funding.
In Wisconsin, the right is at war with itself* Leading environmental public interest law firm Midwest Environmental Advocates now following Foxconn issues.
Midwest Environmental Advocates posts Foxconn issues page* Here is the actual, 29-pagel Foxconn contract, as signed.
Here is the signed Foxconn contract* The ad features a trail biker. In WI, where Walker freshly blocked funding bike trail & sidewalk funding.
Walker's train ad stupidity and hypocrisy alert, part two* Give Walker an award for shortsightedness, hypocrisy and audacity: After killing an Amtrak extension from Madison that could have moved high-tech employees right to the heart of his so-called 'Wisconn Valley,' and reliably blocking commuter rail right through SE Wisconsin and any rail initiative in the state, Walker now wants millions from state taxpayers for ads on Illinois trains and other pitches urging Chicagoans to move here or take am Illinois train to a Foxconn job. When did he become Governor of Illinois?
Stupidity alert: Anti-train Walker now pitching WI through ads on IL trains* Basically, every woman, man, and child in Mount Pleasant just got a sprawl-inducing second mortgage.
A campaigning Walker assigns small village debt, sprawl* Again, we ask: does Foxconn need to apply for a Great Lakes diversion, as reported? Can Racine, or Mount Pleasant handle the water supply and wastewater treatment demands, and by the way, exactly what's in that discharge, anyway?
Undercovered Foxconn questions demand answers. Again.* Prediction: illegal work shifts won't be the only ugly story you read about Foxconn practices in the coming months and years.
Foxconn boosterism looking a little icky today* Summary post about the WI GOP war on the environment includes an explanation of Foxconn's coming collision with state wetland and water law.
Insiders, experts explain WI GOP's damage to the environment* Foxconn part of great WI water giveaway.
Walker, GOP officials worsen WI water, wildlife crises. Part two.* WI experts, advocates add Foxconn project the environmental dangers' list.
Walker, GOP officials worsen WI water, wildlife crises. Part one.* Foxconn is a big one, but not the first.
The con on protecting WI air, water extends far beyond Foxconn* Look past the gee-whiz promises to see who's already getting paid.
Foxconn offers gravy train, adds pie-in-the-sky* Watch Walker during 2018 spin 260 jobs into 250,000
At public expense, Foxconn gets low bar, Walker high praise* Foxconn fiscal fakery isn't Scott Walker's first foray into phony data.
Scott Walker's numbers games; the legend grows* Walker inflates Foxconn investment pledge by $! billion.
Walker hails $10 bil. Foxconn pledge; MJS says it's $9 bil.* When the hoopla ends, the hard work and choices begin
After WalkerFoxconnFest, the real meetings* Hubris alert.
Walker and Stepp were ready for Foxconn. Just ask them.* A billion here, and billion there...
Is Foxconn pledging a $10 billion investment...or is it $9 billion?* WEDC board doesn't get to see the contract after all
Slippery process: WEDC board approves Foxconn contract summary, not the actual contract* Who's on that WEDC board voting on Foxconnn in secret?
Private-sector dominated WEDC board dealing with Foxconn deal in secret* File under "not reassuring." or "Duh!"
Vos praises WEDC...for doing its job* The Nov. 6 secret Foxconn review session WEDC deigned to hold is a sham.
Rolling dice for Foxconn, in secret, with our money* A ray of sunshine forced on Foxconn contract.
Tim Carpenter wins a Foxconn round for the people* Props to Madison writer Lawrence Tabak.
Tremendous addition to our Foxconn awareness* In perspective: the con began long before Foxconn.
How Walker is privatizing and selling off Wisconsin* Exhibit "A" - - Walker's gift or public waters to Foxconn.
Walker will float campaign on our water* Loopholes shield Foxconn FUBAR contract from public view.
Foxconn's banker WEDC subject to open records. Or not* Walker's WEDC: Foxconn contract, history withheld from public.
Walker's Foxconn cover-up gets worse* More proof that Foxconn's environmental exemptions are the proverbial camel's nose in the people's water tent.
Wisconsin water grabbers are at it. Again.* Vos got Foxconn, big highway deal, still griping.
Why Robin Vos' losing hit on fellow Republicans is so irrational* Foxconn giveaways targeted to SE WI, now mysteriously delayed.
Walker's '18 campaign baggage getting heavier* Fixing FUBAR Foxconn contract w/out saying "drafting error." And more.
Scott Walker: Clean up on aisle '18* The Foxconn contract FUBAR is being covered up.
Walker's Foxconn coverup clock is running* Foxconn deal delayed.
What? Foxconn deal isn't ready at WEDC?* Foxconn now driving the WI highway budget & away from everyday needs.
Hurried $252 Foxconn million for I-94 N/S is both outrage and chicken feed* Villages take more time to ponder building a schoo.l
Locals pushed to hand Foxconn $764 million* Will Racine area cabbage fields sprout lemons?
Foxconn's $764 million local shares get aired this week* Saying 'trust the company' overlooks reality and the record.
Booster discharges murky Foxconn spin* Yipes! Local taxpayers will pony up $764 million local dollars For Foxconn.
$764 million cost of Foxconn 'win' for WI local government* Rush in WI to legislate broad environmental rollbacks statewide, Foxconn-style.
In post-Foxconn WI, GOP is done w/air, wetlands law* The Foxconn measuring stick.
Foxconn gets swift [WI AG] Schimel boost, rape kits get indolence* About Walker overpaying for Foxconn by a factor of five.
So Scott Walker walks into an auction...* Major fox in the Foxconn chicken coop.
Walker names Great Lakes Compact foe as key Foxconn aide* Oh, those Foxconn obstacles.
Fast-tracked Foxconn mix could sour* $3 billion bet on his re-election campaign. Then on jobs.
Note to NY Times: Foxconn is about Walker re-election. Then jobs.* Walker-led GOP group whitewashes his past, Foxconn future.
Walker shills rewrite his job creation record, Foxconn outlook* Really painful, stupefying irony alert.
Foxconn bill signing to spotlight Walker/Vos transportation incompetence* Walker, Foxconn and the "s" word.
Scott Walker's missing Foxconn word* Foxconn deal underscores Walker's 'chamber of commerce mentality 'governance.
Walker's WI is model hard-right "chamber of commerce" state* Oh, and about that little overlooked Foxconn item - - a Lake MI diversion.
Foxconn water diversion story needed more attention* Viewing Foxconn through Walker's discarded ethics lens.
Walker's deleted ethics code could have skewed Foxconn giving, lobbying* Foxconn is Walker's biggest use of gov't to pick winners and losers, yet...
Despite denials, Walker uses gov't. to pick winners & losers* WI Senate joins the Foxconn parade
Wis conned. GOP-led State Senate gives OK to unprecedented giveaways.* Not this special favor for Foxconn, this one!
WI GOP Senate Leader adds phantom judicial 'restriction' to Foxconn deal* Foxconn settles on Racine County, despite flooding history there.
Foxconn headed for flood-prone Racine County* Foxconn might feel it's the one which got conned.
For new WI mines, more env. giveaways than Foxconn got* Along with tax breaks, free highway work - - special Supreme Court access.
WI GOP lawmakers hand Foxconn newer, bigger favor* One potential Foxconn locale is struggling with the opportunity.
With Foxconn looming, Mount Pleasant had a meltdown* Out-going DNR Secretary Stepp spills the beans.
DNR's Stepp says a Foxconn was the plan all along* Holding Foxconn to the Walker/Trump environmental (will-wink) 'standards.'
Exposing Walker's environmental Foxconn con* 'No-tax-increase Walker' might just raise local taxes.
Add local taxpayers to school on cusp of Foxconning* WI may find Foxconn draining education funding.
WI legislators, on educ. funding today, could show Foxconn effect* Latest news: Foxconn's billion-dollar 'strain' on state budgets, or "D'uh!"
Go suck on $1 billion worth of lemons, Bucky* At least this time he didn't call you an ISIS fighter.
Vintage Walker uses Foxconn to flip off the people* A rushed project would not need so many corrections.
Another day, another Foxconn data correction.* GOP leaders Walker/Vos/Stepp have long failed job creation, environmental protection pledges.
On Foxconn assurances, consider the sources and histories* 13,000 jobs? No accident that the Assembly and public didn't have all the facts.
Put Foxconn on hold until Walker explains data suppression* Robin Vos, reckless and feckless.
Robin Vos trivialized $3 billion, ignored shocking jobs info* Dispensing with clean blue water, green legacy.
Green? WI GOP likes brown, orange, perhaps blackish and 'sudsy'* And the next shoe drops.
Seeing Foxconn 'win, WI GOP env. wrecking crew eyes mining favors* Walker, GOP laid Foxconn groundwork years ago.
Foxconn favors are basic to Walker, GOP's sloppy playbook* Walker evades leadership from #Foxconn to #Charlottesville.
On jobs, moral leadership, persistent Walker con* Reality, troubling numbers, no state budget mean nothing to GOP legislature.
GOP Foxconn votes proceed robotically as jobs, revenue estimates fall* New Foxconn bill version, same environmental rollbacks, records show.
Amended Foxconn bill retains env. waivers, special privileges* Changing the rules to fit the players.
As WI, GOP change the rules for Foxconn, a reminder* WI will subsidize Foxconn jobs paying nowhere near family-supporting wages.
WI now talking about <$15-per-hour Foxconn jobs* Now they're just wishing and hoping.
Witless Walker's farcical Foxconn fix* The Chicago Sun-Times 'thanks' Walker for pro-Illinois Foxconn plan.
Another bad review for Walker's Foxconn deal* Now we look for solace to Scott Fitzgerald (!) as Foxconn gets horrible reviews.
Foxconn doubters turn their lonely eyes to...Scott Fitzgerald!* Foxconn is to get a pass from normal DNR reviews, which is fine with the DNR.
Stepp puts the DNR in on Foxconn env. evasion* Walker told his Foxconn critics to 'go suck lemons.' Then...
Sucking lemons - - or absorbing buyer's remorse - - for 26 sucking years* Walker's fake-news Foxconn projects are collapsing.
Foxconn taxpayer projections zoom, payroll benefits plunge* No surprise that major WI polluting industry. wants env. exemptions.
If Foxconn is exempted from env. oversight, why not CAFOs?* Who's to say that Foxconn privileges won't be applied statewide?
And if environmental rules and laws are waived for Foxconn...* Does Michigan have better deal-makers than Wisconsin?
Foxconn eyes Michigan for high tech development site* Water law expert says Foxconn environmental rollback endangers the deal.
Noted water law expert predicts WI officials' Foxconn 'bungle'* The Walker/WMC tag team.
Foxconn to locate at intersection of Walker and WMC avenues* Big business laughs off Foxconn project environmental concerns.
Wisconsin Biz lobby sneers at routine Wisconsin conservation guarantee* Walker never saw a wetland he didn't want filled.
Walker's giveaway Foxconn bill extends his war on wetlands* Zoo Interchange completion $$ rerouted to another project for Foxconn.
Because the I-94 Vos/Foxconn exit isn't in the Zoo Interchange* Foxconn process 'open,' says Walker after closed door briefing for GOP caucuses.
Walker opens 'open' Foxconn FavorFest behind closed doors* Walker, Ryan producing Foxconn political ads.
Walker giveth to Foxconn, taketh for his re-election* Walker would allow Foxconn 19th century 'environmental' practices.
'Wisconsin Valley' or Wisconsin, Inc. dead zone?* The Legislature pushed to re-create Wisconsin as Wisconsin, Inc.
Rushed Foxconn special session set for 11 a.m. August 1* SE WI communities should worry about what Walker wants to do with their budgets, tax collections:
For Foxconn, Walker bets your farm, breaks the bank(s)* Walker, AG and legislature could give away what's not theirs:
Foxconn favors face WI Constitutional barrier* GOP Wi Attorney General Brad Schimel weighs in, pre-emptively and rhetorically.
Greenlight for Foxconn in WI AG's Tweet, rhetoric* Walker to convert Wisconsin to Wisconn without a constitutional convention, and if you don't like it, 'go suck lemons."
Walker to sacrifice DNR, PSC and WisDot integrity for 'Wisconn'* The cynical pot has his say.
Walker - - Gov. Cynicism - - decries Foxconn 'cynics'* Walker already has '18 campaign in Foxconn frame.
About Walker's '18 election Foxconn over-under* In Walker's Wisconsin, some blue-collar jobs are more important than others.
Walker touts Foxconn construction jobs, threw away Amtrak's* Walker, Trump should become the new champions of Great Lakes preservation and climate change science.
Great Lakes water lifts Foxconn deal* About jobs.
3,000 Foxconn jobs would not = 3,776 WI mfg. jobs lost in '16* Are HB-5 $$-for-visas in the deal?
Are green cards for investment in a Foxconn-WI deal?* Public dollars needed.
How many WI dollars will Walker give super-wealthy Foxconn?* When Foxconn stiffed another state.
If you've got Foxconn fever, remember Pennsylvania's hangover* Vos blocked transit Foxconn workers could have used.
Vos' long transit blockade does not help Racine's Foxconn future* Walker killed Amtrak service Foxconn might have loved.
Amtrak line killed by Walker could have fed Foxconn* Vos has a budget power move.
Vos plays Foxconn card in WI budget fight* For quick Japan trip, Walker kept Foxconn secret
Desperate Walker on 48-hour jobs mission - - to Japan
