MADISON (WKOW) -- Gov. Scott Walker (R-Wisconsin) has raised over $15 million this year to defend his seat in an upcoming recall election.
Dating back to January of 2011, Gov. Walker has now raised well over $25 million, shattering the previous record of $10 million he set in 2010.
Democrats on Monday said Gov. Walker will need every penny to hide his poor record on jobs creation.
Gov. Walker began work on that Monday as well.
He announced a $100 million initiative through the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) to remove foreclosed and abandoned properties in Milwaukee and create new jobs in the process.
"Its much greater than just eliminating homes that have been foreclosed upon," said Gov. Walker. "It fundamentally is about making sure there are more jobs for people here in the City of Milwaukee and throughout this area."
"I think the timing of it raises many, many questions as to how sincere he is about this," said Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, a Democratic Candidate for Governor.
Barrett said he believes the announcement was only made because of Wisconsin's weak jobs numbers.
Wisconsin lost more jobs than any other state in the nation from March of 2011 to March of 2012.
"And here we are 36 days before this election, and he unveils this plan," said Barrett.
While Democrat Kathleen Falk also criticized the Governor's plan, she focused her Monday message on Department of Natural Resources Secretary Cathy Stepp.
Falk asked Gov. Walker to remove Stepp from office.
"Enforcement of our environmental laws has plummeted under Governor Scott Walker, from an average of 516 violation notices (per year) over the last decade, that number has been less than half last year under Governor Scott Walker," said Falk.
Secretary of State Doug La Follette joined Falk in calling for the Governor to put the job of appointing a DNR Secretary back in the hands of the state's Natural Resources Board.
"Return the appointment of the DNR Secretary to the DNR board where it belongs," said La Follette, who is also running for the Democratic nomination for Governor.
Kathleen Falk has raised just under $1 million this year, while Tom Barrett has raised just over $900 thousand.
