Friday, March 11, 2011

Governor Walker Signs Modified Budget Repair Bill Revoking Collective Bargaining Rights For Most State Workers

In private, Governor Scott Walker (R) signs modified budget repair bill, assuring his recall efforts in 9 months by Wisconsinites. Walker has deliberately ignored polls and the will of the people to keep bargaining rights.

By H. Nelson Goodson
March 11, 2011

Madison - On Friday, Governor Scott Walker (R) signed the modified budget repair bill stripping most collective bargaining rights for most Wisconsin state workers. Walker privately signed the bill without any media present or supporters around him. He posted a picture of himself on his twitter and wrote, "At 9:30 a.m. I signed the budget repair bill to save jobs, balance the budget, help taxpayers, and reform gov't."
Walker ordered the State Department of Administration (DOA) to recind 1,500 layoff notices for state employees. Last week, layoff notices had been sent out to 13 unions. He says, the bill would save $30 million and balance the budget.
The bill allows for most state workers to pay more on their pensions and benefits, but would allow to negotiate for salaries only. It was apparent, Walker wanted to end collective bargaining inorder to bust unions, according to a prank call between Walker and a prankster passing himself as billionaire Koch.
More than 1.5 million demonstrators have converged at the Madison Capitol building within the last three weeks to protest Walker's move to kill union bargaining rights for state workers. During weeks of demonstrations, Walker ironically had repeatedly thanked more than 300,000 state employees for reporting to their jobs every day, while the Republican controlled legislature and Walker worked together to strip their bargaining rights.
A press conference and ceremonial event will be held by Governor Walker at 3:00 p.m. inside the Capitol building. The DOA is restricting access from the public for the afternoon event, which violates a court order to allow public access during sessions, hearings, events and business hours.
On Saturday, tens of thousands of demonstrators are expected to converge once again in Madison to continue their protests. Numerous recall efforts have been launched to recall 8 Senate Republicans and 8 Senate Democrats as well as some of the House Republicans. Recall efforts are being organized to recall Governor Walker in 9 months. By Walker signing the modified budget repair bill to end 50 years of collective bargaining for most state workers assures his recall, once he completes one year in office.
So far, Walker hasn't created one job, is taking resources from senior citizens, poor and middle class and has given $137 million in tax breaks for corporations and businesses. More than $9 million in costs to taxpayers for security (law enforcement over time for numerous police departments and DNR officers) in Madison and clean up of the Capitol has been generated by Walker's move to bust unions.
Walker's two year budget plans to cut $4.2 billion in overall  state spending, $1.25 billion from local governments, including $835 million in education. It repeals in-state tuition for undocumented students who attend state universities and colleges. The budget cuts $500 million in Seniorcare, Badgercare and Medicaid. It eliminates any medical benefits and Foodshare (Food stamps) for legal status immigrants, as well. There will be only four hearings on the budget throughout the state, according to Democrats. Democrats say, people should attend those hearings and oppose the proposed cuts by the Republicans.
The GOP in Wisconsin and Governor Walker succeeded in busting unions in an attempt to cut the financial campaign contributions and support from Democrats. The middle working class usually votes for Democrats. The Senate Republicans are also attempting to pass a voter ID to keep minorities from voting for Democrats. Most low income people and minorities don't carry a valid ID. They would not be able to vote in elections, if the bill passes. The voter ID bill includes a fiscal item that would cost the state about $8 million to help pay for ID's.
The Democrats see these type of bills that are being introduced in Wisconsin and in other states controlled by Republicans as an attempt to destroy the Democratic Party and to gain support for a Republican presidential candidate in 2012. In some states, voter bills make it harder for students at universities to vote. In Florida, the law was repealed that allowed felons who completed their sentences and probation to vote until five years later.
No doubt, Walker and the Republican controlled legislature stand and support corporations and big business at the cost of the middle working class, according to Democrats.
The 14 Senate Democrats began to return to Wisconsin after Walker signed the bill on Friday eliminating 50 years of Civil Rights for most state employees. The Democrats fled the state to stall the bill from passing.
On Wednesday, the Senate Republicans separated the provision eliminating collective bargaining from the fiscal budget repair bill and passed it on a vote of 18 to 1. One Republican voted against it. The vote triggered a major protest, at least 7,000 demonstrators stormed into the Capitol building and about 200 of them spent the night inside the building. 
On Thursday, House Republicans voted 53-42 to pass the bill ending most collective bargaining rights for state workers, which drew protests. Four Republicans voted against the bill.

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