< 25 Top Pension Power Players
19. Scott Walker
Governor of Wisconsin
When Scott Walker was elected governor of Wisconsin in 2010, it was the beginning of the end for the state’s public sector unions. The following year, to close a $3.6 billion budget gap, Walker pushed Act 10 through the legislature, eliminating collective bargaining rights for unionized state workers and doubling their mandated pension contributions. The Republican governor was hoping to replace the defined benefit pension that covers all state employees with a 401(k)-style savings plan, but he changed his mind after learning that Wisconsin’s system is fully funded and widely acknowledged as the best in the U.S. Walker survived a 2012 recall election that was held as protests against his antiunion actions mounted. With $30 million in funding from the Koch brothers and other GOP donors, the 49-year-old governor still has national ambitions. His model for taking on unions is one GOP leaders are looking to. — Frances Denmark
The 2017 Pension Political Power 25
1. Andy Puzder 2. Bruce Rauner 3. Betsy DeVos 4. Laura & John Arnold 5. Steven Mnuchin |
6. Wilbur Ross 7. Tani Cantil-Sakauye 8. Paul Ryan 9. Anthony Scaramucci 10. Kevin de León |
11. Mike Enzi 12. Steve Sweeney 13. Jerry Brown 14. Corey Lewandowski 15. Paul Singer |
16. Randel Johnson 17. Joe Manchin 18. Kenneth Feinberg 19. Scott Walker 20. Richard Trumka |
21. Mike Rawlings 22. Elizabeth Warren 23. Kent Mason 24. Bernie Sanders 25. Randi Weingarten |
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