MILWAUKEE — Democratic Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper refuses to criticize Republican Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker's decision two years ago to effectively end collective bargaining for public sector unions.
Hickenlooper was asked about Walker's union policies following a news conference Friday at the National Governors Association meeting in Milwaukee. Walker forced union members to pay more for health care and pensions, while also taking away nearly all bargaining rights, as part of a budget-balancing move in 2011.
Hickenlooper says he is not going to criticize Walker's approach, but adds that there is more than one way to balance a state budget.
Both Hickenlooper and Walker say they reached out to one another when their states were dealing with mass shootings and that's an example of how governors can be bipartisan.
