Union Bill Is Law, but Debate Is Far From Over
By A. G. SULZBERGER
NYT
MADISON, Wis. — Gov. Scott Walker on Friday signed into law a bill that limits bargaining rights for most government workers, ending a rancorous legislative battle but doing little to stem a loud and continuing debate — here and around the country — over the future of unions.
Democrats and union leaders, emboldened by the huge outpouring of protesters who have rallied for weeks at the Capitol to oppose what they called a politically motivated effort to weaken unions, pledged to redouble their political, legal and legislative efforts to block measures that the governor had described as necessary to balance the budget.
Recall petitions continued to circulate against legislators from both parties. A lawsuit was filed challenging the unusual legislative maneuvering that preceded the bill’s passage. And Democratic leaders — despite holding minorities in both chambers — promised to revisit the legislation in the debate on the coming budget bill by introducing a series of amendments to undo provisions they consider damaging.
The new law was originally part of Mr. Walker’s comprehensive “budget repair bill,” but was extracted as a separate piece of legislation late on Wednesday in order to secure passage. The original budget bill was blocked when 14 Senate Democrats decamped for Illinois, depriving the Senate of the quorum needed to pass fiscal legislation.
(More here.)
NYT
MADISON, Wis. — Gov. Scott Walker on Friday signed into law a bill that limits bargaining rights for most government workers, ending a rancorous legislative battle but doing little to stem a loud and continuing debate — here and around the country — over the future of unions.
Democrats and union leaders, emboldened by the huge outpouring of protesters who have rallied for weeks at the Capitol to oppose what they called a politically motivated effort to weaken unions, pledged to redouble their political, legal and legislative efforts to block measures that the governor had described as necessary to balance the budget.
Recall petitions continued to circulate against legislators from both parties. A lawsuit was filed challenging the unusual legislative maneuvering that preceded the bill’s passage. And Democratic leaders — despite holding minorities in both chambers — promised to revisit the legislation in the debate on the coming budget bill by introducing a series of amendments to undo provisions they consider damaging.
The new law was originally part of Mr. Walker’s comprehensive “budget repair bill,” but was extracted as a separate piece of legislation late on Wednesday in order to secure passage. The original budget bill was blocked when 14 Senate Democrats decamped for Illinois, depriving the Senate of the quorum needed to pass fiscal legislation.
(More here.)
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2 Comments:
First you vote, then you get paid ….
On March 16, BGR Group will play host to a lavish fundraiser for the Wisconsin Republican Party in Washington, D.C.
Attendees are being asked to donate a minimum of $1,000 at the door. Donors can also become "sponsors" by donating $2,500 or "hosts" for $5,000. Confirmed guests include WI Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald and his brother, Assembly Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald. All five Republican members of Wisconsin's congressional delegation have also been invited to attend, along with GOP Senator Ron Johnson.
Why BGR Group ?
BGR was founded in 1991 when Ed Rogers left the White House and joined his longtime political friend Haley Barbour in a new lobbying enterprise on New Hampshire Avenue. With Barbour's work in the Reagan White House, the two very quickly developed an Executive Branch-focused lobbying business. Following the 1992 elections, Lanny Griffith joined his fellow Mississippian Haley Barbour and Ed Rogers, his colleague from the Bush White House, to form the partnership.
When Barbour was elected Governor of Mississippi he was sold his interests.
Barbour came into office on a promise to shrink Mississippi's state government and reduce employee benefits. Unencumbered by union contracts, he has scored a number of successes. He persuaded the Legislature in 2004 to temporarily erase civil-service protections for corrections employees, which allowed the prison system to fire workers and trim the payroll. Mississippi lawmakers also voted last year to make public employees put 9 percent of their own pay into the state retirement system, up from 7.25 percent, and they've made government workers hired since 2006 pay more for their health insurance than their longer-serving colleagues.
Once again, its all about politics … not wants good … its about controlling future elections.
Fundraisers and requiring public employees to contribute to their pensions and health benefits is about controlling future elections?
Mac, I always enjoy reading your thoughtful and well written opinions, but you've got me scratching my head on this one. What I am reading is that Walker's reforms (and that of Christie, Kasich, Scott) will lead to a landslide for Democrats in 2012.
And, I think you would probably agree, but both parties seek to gain a permanent advantage over the other. So, if you conclude that one side is trying to control elections without mentioning it about the other side, you're only telling half the story.
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