Budget Battle: Supporters Less Vocal

By Tom Murray

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WAUKESHA – Supporters of Governor Scott Walker’s Budget Repair Bill have not been nearly as vocal as opponents.

While the protest continued in Madison Tuesday, Bill Graffin was at work in his Waukesha insurance office.

"Don't have the time to go over and hang, walk around with a picket sign in my hands,” Graffin told TODAY’S TMJ4 reporter Tom Murray.
 
Graffin supports asking public employees to contribute more to their health insurance and pension plans.
 
“Most people today have to contribute a large amount to their health insurance and retirement and I don't think it's being unfair,” he explained.
 

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• Majority Leader Explains Need for 'Flexibility'
• Gov. Walker on Budget Bill, In His Own Words
• Budget Repair Bill Supports Less Vocal Than Opponents
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• President: Walker Bill "Seems Like More Of An Assault on Unions"

Related content: 
• Click here for school district closings

Related audio: Click on the links below to hear Newsradio 620 WTMJ "Wisconsin Afternoon News" exclusive interviews about the budget/union bill
• Governor Scott Walker
• Madison Democratic State Senator Jon Erpenbach
• Madison Teachers Union Executive Director John Matthews
Governor Walker won Waukesha County in the November election just months ago and his supporters believe he's delivering on campaign promises.
 
Jeff Barta owns Nice Ash cigar shop on Main Street.  He's not yelling or chanting this week, but he is speaking out for the Republican governor.
 
"Walker's positions were clearly set out beforehand and this is a logical result of the elections last fall,” Barta said. "It's something that has to be done, we can't just keep pushing the debt onto our children and grandchildren."
 
State union workers have their supporters in Waukesha, too.  Nancy Hernandez worries about their future.
 
“I think we're looking at a very dangerous situation,” she said.