Both GOP Gov. Candidates Against Tax Hikes

MILWAUKEE, Wis. (WTAQ) - Both major Republican candidates for governor have promised to veto all tax increases if they’re elected. Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker has signed a pledge put out by the Americans for Tax Reform. Walker’s primary opponent, former Congressman Mark Neumann, has not signed the pledge yet. But his spokesman Chris Lato says he would, and that he agrees 100 percent with the language in it. Neumann is emphasizing his no tax increase pledge in a new radio ad Tuesday.

Walker took out a TV ad last week which highlights his frugality by saying he packs his own lunch each day. And he invited voters to join a brown bag group to oppose wasteful government spending. But the Associated Press said Walker and his campaign went against that theme by spending thousands of dollars on food and beverages at campaign meetings and fundraisers.

And Tuesday, the AP said the brown bag campaign is the same one created 12 years ago by Ohio Republican George Voinovich when he ran for the U.S. Senate. Walker spokeswoman Jill Bader said her campaign group came up with brown bag idea during a brainstorming session. And when they mentioned it to a consulting firm, only then did they learn the consultant did a similar thing for Voinovich.