Oklahoma labor commissioner campaigns for Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker
BY RANDY KREHBIEL World Staff Writer
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
5/15/12 at 6:15 AM
OKLAHOMA CITY - Oklahoma Labor Commissioner Mark Costello is campaigning in Wisconsin this week for that state's beleaguered governor, Scott Walker.
Walker, a Republican like Costello, is facing a June 5 recall election.
"I'm a big admirer of his," Costello said by phone Monday. "There is a lot to admire in what Gov. Walker has done here, especially his courage."
Costello said he plans to stay in Wisconsin through Wednesday.
"I am here as a private citizen, all on my own expense," he said. "But I do think it's a matter of public policy, if you believe as I do that the progressives have pushed it about as far as they can."
Walker's recall was prompted by his efforts to curb public employees' bargaining rights and agreements - something Costello applauds.
As Oklahoma's labor commissioner, Costello has fought public employee associations - state employees do not have collective-bargaining rights in Oklahoma - and sponsored a resolution at Saturday's state GOP convention that would withhold money from candidates who take contributions from the Oklahoma Public Employees Association and the Oklahoma Education Association.
Costello said he met Walker at an Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs dinner April 11.
"I am standing with Gov. Walker," he said. "The eyes of the nation are on Wisconsin."
Original Print Headline: State labor exec campaigns for governor of Wisconsin
Randy Krehbiel 918-581-8365
randy.krehbiel@tulsaworld.com
Associated Images:
Labor Commissioner Mark Costello: "There is a lot to admire in what Gov. Walker has done."
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