Walker to give speech at conservative think tank

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Gov. Scott Walker plans to appear Thursday at a Washington-based conservative think tank to talk about the state budget and changes limiting collective bargaining rights for public workers enacted last year.

Walker is set to appear at a meeting of the American Enterprise Institute. The group says Walker and an economist with the think tank will discuss how Walker’s moves have affected the state’s economy and the effort to recall him from office.

It was anger over the collective bargaining measure that motivated the ongoing effort to recall Walker and Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch from office.

Walker argued the proposal, which forced most state workers to pay more for their pension and health care benefits, was needed to help balance the budget.

Opponents say it was a partisan power grab.