Saturday, October 8, 2011

Scott Walker-Created Agency Has Spent Almost $60,000 On iPads

Scott Walker-Created Agency Has Spent Almost $60,000 On iPads

The real purpose of political recall elections (guest commentary) | MLive.com

The real purpose of political recall elections (guest commentary) MLive.com

Conceal-Carry Rules Sent to Governor, Not Legislature, for Appro - WBAY-TV Green Bay-Fox Cities-Northeast Wisconsin News

What a bunch of crap. Four hours of training in front of a certified firearms instructor is all that is needed for someone who has never picked up a gun and held a gun in their hand in all of their life. Well hell, lets save a great deal of taxpayer dollars, require our law enforcement officers to only have to receive four hours of firearms training. Who gives a damn who they kill, so long as they received their "four-hour" block of firearms training in front of a certified firearms instructor.

I am not opposed to the carry and concealed law, even though I still do not know why we need it, but I am appalled at the lack of respect of the firearm and the affect it can have on ones life by merely requiring someone to have only four hours of training in order to prove safe handling and proficiency of the weapon. Very little if no training on when "to-shoot or don't-shoot".

Maybe to receive the proper attention to this poorly written law we need for someone like SCOTT WALKER to become the victim of a poorly trained citizen armed with a gun.

The other point in this news story is for everyone to realize that SCOTT WALKER seized "Administrative Rule Authority" as one of his first actions in office. This is why the "rules" DO NOT have to be brought before the legislature for approval, as they were in the past. This type of action rings very close to a "dictatorship" style of governing.

Posted by Steven Williams
Political Education Legislative Coordinator
AFSCME Council 24 AFL-CIO

Conceal-Carry Rules Sent to Governor, Not Legislature, for Appro - WBAY-TV Green Bay-Fox Cities-Northeast Wisconsin News

Walker says Wisconsin is a national model | Capitol View | Minnesota Public Radio

Make it your personal goal; do whatever you can to show SCOTT WALKER he should have been concerned about his next election, RECALL SCOTT WALKER!

Walker says Wisconsin is a national model Capitol View Minnesota Public Radio

Genesee County AFSCME chapter refuses to endorse, contribute to any Democratic candidates | MLive.com

Genesee County AFSCME chapter refuses to endorse, contribute to any Democratic candidates MLive.com

Friday, October 7, 2011

Report Shows Confusion Over Vote ID Law - Politics News Story - WISN Milwaukee

Report Shows Confusion Over Vote ID Law - Politics News Story - WISN Milwaukee

Wis. lawmakers hold off on election orders

Wis. lawmakers hold off on election orders

Pension 'double-dipping' could come to an end

Pension 'double-dipping' could come to an end

UW president urges state to reinvest in universities - JSOnline

You have to be kidding with this question President Reilly. You are asking SCOTT WALKER, a college drop-out and an individual who cut major funding from education to "reinvest" in the universities. Good luck with that optimism...

UW president urges state to reinvest in universities - JSOnline

Week of Action for American Jobs

Next week throughout the country there will be America Wants to Work events that will coincide with the National Week of Action for Jobs. Below you will find details for the events that will be taking place throughout Wisconsin. I encourage you to please share this information with your members, and encourage their participation in these events.

In Solidarity!

Steve Kwaterski

Week of Action for Jobs

· Milwaukee - 10/12/2011 - Jobs Roundtable/Forum - 2pm at the Milwaukee Area Labor Council - 633 S. Hawley Road- Contact: Jenissee Volpintesta - 262-364-6751 or jvolpintesta@wisaflcio.org

· Kenosha - 10/13/2011 - Afternoon Jobless Worker Roundtable - 2pm - Kenosha Union Club - 3030 39th Avenue, Kenosha - Contact: Justin Geiger - 414-745-4177 or jgeiger@wisaflcio.org

· Eau Claire - 10/12/2011 - "Wake for the Middle Class" Event - Phoenix Park in Eau Claire - 6pm - Contact: Andy Thompson - (715) 831-3353 or athompson@wisaflcio.org

· Wausau 10/13/2011 - Rally outside of Rep. Duffy's office - 208 Grand Avenue - 5pm- Contact: Scott Wright - 920-450-2121 or swright@wisaflcio.org

· Appleton - 10/13/2011 - "Wake for the Middle Class" Event - College Avenue & Drew Street in Appleton - 4:15pm - Contact: Greg Hinds - 920-540-2309 or ghinds@wisaflcio.org

Wisconsin officials hold off on online petitions, ID stickers | Green Bay Press Gazette | greenbaypressgazette.com

The GAB reverses its earlier decision after realizing that under the new rules, secured by Scott Walker, they would need Walker's approval to implement their decision. Democrats are now accusing the GAB of putting its tail between its legs and wimpering off to avoid the conflict.

SCOTT WALKER's intent along with the Wisconsin GOP is to make it much more difficult for people to vote. Historically, Republicans have done much better in elections when the turnout is low. Now they want to keep the turnout to vote very low.

Wisconsin officials hold off on online petitions, ID stickers Green Bay Press Gazette greenbaypressgazette.com

Wisconsin Democrats want anti-union governor's picture removed | Reuters

Wisconsin Democrats want anti-union governor's picture removed Reuters

A Majority of Wisconsinites Want WALKER RECALLED

WisPolitics is reporting: More than half of the respondents in a poll for the state Dem Party support recalling Gov. Scott Walker, according to survey results shared with WisPolitics.com.

While 42 percent would vote to keep Walker as guv in a recall election, 51 percent support his removal. The poll also found Walker struggling with independents, who favored a recall by 16 points, 52-36.

A polling memo compiled by Paul Maslin and Jonathan Brown of Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin, Metz & Associates, which conducted the poll in mid-September, argued the results show Walker is vulnerable to a recall attempt. An effort to remove Walker would also likely get a boost from a presidential-year electorate, they argued. Likely 2012 voters surveyed who didn't vote in 2010 support recalling him by 31 points, 57 percent to 26 percent.

Overall, 46 percent of respondents approved of Walker’s job performance, while 52 percent disapproved.

The memo also noted 53 percent of respondents had a negative opinion of Walker personally, while 53 percent said the state was on the wrong track.

The live telephone surveys of 707 likely November 2012 votes was conducted Sept. 12-15. The margin of error was plus or minus 3.6 percentage points.

The memo WisPolitics.com obtained did not include the full survey results and questions.

This leaves one pressing question: Who will be the democratic challenger to Scott Walker should a recall occur?

Thursday, October 6, 2011

WisPolitics.com: Sen. Lasee: Introduces Taxpayer Protection Amendment

Just when we have had the first nine months of Republican control dessimating Wisconsin values, the old promoter of TABOR (Taxpayers Bill of Rights) is introducing a new version called the "Taxpayer Protection Amendment". As Republicans are known to do, they create a title that captures people's attention, but beneath the title it is a crippling and a "no road to recovery" piece of legislation.

The Republicans are presently in their first year of destroying the public schools and if this "Taxpayer Protection Amendment" would pass we will never be able to rebuild our public education system.

We could call a pile of "crap", doo doo, to soften its meaning and to make it appear more presentable, but beneath the title it still looks like, still smells like and still is a pile of "crap". DO NOT buy into this old trick of the Republicans by thinking they are introducing somthing good because it has a catchy title. Just look at the author of this piece of legislation and you will know that nothing good will come from it. It will simply drive Wisconsin lower in the standings as a state to live in.

WisPolitics.com: Sen. Lasee: Introduces Taxpayer Protection Amendment

Pres. McEntee Writes About the GOP and the American Jobs Act

From: Gregory King [mailto:GKing@afscme.org]
Sent: Thursday, October 06, 2011 5:11 PM
Subject: Pres. McEntee: Why the GOP Won't Vote on the American Jobs Act

President McEntee has written a new column on the Daily Kos website. A link to the column can be found at the end of this email.

Why the GOP Won’t Vote on the American Jobs Act

By Gerald W. McEntee

On Tuesday, the Majority Leader of the U.S. House of Representatives, Congressman Eric Cantor of Virginia, told the press that he would not schedule a vote on President Obama’s American Jobs Bill. That’s appalling, but not surprising. With its current leadership, the House never schedules votes on bills to increase employment in the U.S. If you look closely at their record, you’ll see that putting more people to work is the last thing they want to accomplish. It would be bad for the billionaires who finance their campaigns, and it would hurt their chances of maintaining power.

None of the folks on TV news will mention it, but the truth is that the bosses on Wall Street and right-wing talk radio like high unemployment. It drives down wages and increases profits. That makes most corporate CEOs happy. High unemployment delights the Rush Limbaughs of the world, too. It makes President Obama fail, and that’s been their hope since day one of his presidency. Remember, it was Limbaugh who told his audience in the earliest days of 2009: “I want to see him fail.”

Limbaugh was not alone. The GOP leader in the Senate made it clear after the elections last November that jobs would not be the top item on his upcoming agenda. No, Sen. Mitch McConnell said: “The single most important thing we want to achieve is for President Obama to be a one-term president.” Not lower unemployment. Not help for families facing foreclosures. Not financial support for students struggling to stay in school. No, the single most important thing they want is to defeat President Barack Obama.

If you understand that this is their guiding goal, much of their abysmal record on the economy begins to make sense. It helps explain the GOP’s willingness to allow taxes to be raised on 99 percent of the American public, which is what will happen if President Obama’s plan to extend the tax cuts for workers is not passed by the end of the year. That tax cut is part of the American Jobs Act, which Leader Cantor won’t schedule for a vote.

It explains the efforts by House members last spring, when the economy was beginning to recover, to launch an unprecedented months-long debate on whether the U.S. would increase the debt limit. This wasn’t about giving President Obama a blank check, as clueless Rep. Michelle Bachmann said. The Congress had already approved legislation spending the money – with the support of Rep. Bachmann. The question was whether the U.S. would live up to its commitments.

In the end, thanks to the efforts of Rep. Cantor’s and Rep. Bachmann’s allies to undermine the full faith and credit of the United States, a ratings agency lowered the rating of the U.S. debt, for the first time in history. They sent a clear message to the financial markets that the leadership in the U.S. House was willing to risk the default of the United States rather than compromise on taxing the wealthiest people in America. They succeeded in derailing the economic recovery. They got what they really wanted: higher unemployment.

Never mind that this agenda hurts millions of America’s working families. The House leadership in Washington may give lip-service to the concerns of America’s jobless, but they do what their bosses on Wall Street tell them to do. And that is: “Don’t increase taxes on the rich.”

The working middle class has been under attack for decades. Now, when we have a chance to rebuild Main Street and help hard working American families by passing a much-needed jobs bill, the leadership in the House won’t hold hearings or bring it to a vote. These people deserve all the criticism they are getting from the students, young people and activists who are targeting the House leadership’s bosses on Wall Street. That’s why AFSCME stands with the courageous participants who are broadening the Main Street movement by occupying Wall Street.

When will Congress realize that they should be working for the American people, not the obscenely wealthy CEOs, the slick Wall Street operators and the shrill blowhards on right-wing talk radio? When will they listen to the voices on Main Street, and not do the bidding of their Wall Street masters? No time soon, if Eric Cantor and Mitch McConnell have their way.

According to the latest Washington Post/ABC poll, only 14 percent of Americans think Congress is doing a good job. Those 14 percent must be working for Cantor and McConnell and their cronies in the U.S. Capitol. The rest of us think that their leadership is worthless. They take their cues from Wall Street, not Main Street. If they are not going to help put the country back to work, it’s they and their Congressional collaborators who will be looking for work after the next election.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/10/06/1023582/-Why-the-GOP-Won’t-Vote-on-the-American-Jobs-Act#comments



Bob Menamin: For good of Wisconsin, Walker should resign

For the Good of Wisconsin, how about for the good of mankind?

Bob Menamin: For good of Wisconsin, Walker should resign

Democrats Aim At Swaps, Pensions - The Bond Buyer Article

Republicans clearly want public pension funds and as of today are creating and distributing information that then pension's are funded with taxpayer dollars. Here in Wisconsin the pension plan is one of the best performing in the country and SCOTT WALKER wants it changed into a 401K style plan claiming it is costing taxpayers too much money. His definition of costing taxpayers too much money is if it cost $1.00, it cost too much. Remember, SCOTT WALKER likes to create panamonium and then let everything in the path of panamonium self-destruct and then he comes in and sweeps it away.

Democrats Aim At Swaps, Pensions - The Bond Buyer Article

AFSCME | Young Union Members Talk About Being ‘Next Up’

AFSCME Young Union Members Talk About Being ‘Next Up’

Cheers greet Ohio, Wisconsin fightback leaders » peoplesworld

Cheers greet Ohio, Wisconsin fightback leaders » peoplesworld

Unions to Democrats: Don't take us for granted | Reuters

In Wisconsin the Democrats have clearly demonstrated that they DO NOT take Unions for granted. In Wisconsin the Democrats have stood "shoulder-to-shoulder" with Union members. However, on a national front and within the White House they seem to demonstrate at times their lack of recognition for Unions.

Unions to Democrats: Don't take us for granted Reuters

Daily Kos: AFL-CIO's Trumka issues statement supporting Occupy Wall Street

Daily Kos: AFL-CIO's Trumka issues statement supporting Occupy Wall Street

Wall Street protest grows as unions swell ranks | Reuters

Wall Street protest grows as unions swell ranks Reuters

Capitol Report: Occupy Wall Street branching out to Madison

Capitol Report: Occupy Wall Street branching out to Madison

Fired employee had been caught sleeping at desk, leaving work early - JSOnline

It is so easy for the employer to "now" point out past infractions, even though they were not documented in writing. The past infractions of this employee do raise legitimate concerns as to this employees job performance, but what a coincidence that they suddenly take rise after the employee is dismissed for sharing an email to other employees that outlined the facts of obtaining a FREE Wisconsin ID for the purpose of voting. Voting aginst Republicans is what we see the employer implying by dismissing the employee.

Fired employee had been caught sleeping at desk, leaving work early - JSOnline

BMCW - Plan to address vacation requests and alternative work patterns

The Deprtament of Children and Families has received approval to waive local agreements with Local 2748 (WSEU-PSS) on vacation scheduling and alternative work patterns. The new plan outlined by DCF ignores employees senority rights.


Read the Memorandum that Outlines the Plan, "HERE."





Election officials reverse selves on distribution of recall petitions online - JSOnline

Republicans complain and the Government Accountability Board conceeds and reverses their earlier decision.

It would seem that the process written by the GAB would be equally fair to all political parties, but Republicans fear they DO NOT have as much support from the voters as the Democrats do so they want the rules written "their way".

Election officials reverse selves on distribution of recall petitions online - JSOnline

REMINDER: Rank and File AFSCME Leader Scholarships Available

From: Belinda Saverino [mailto:BSaverino@afscme.org]
Sent: Wednesday, October 05, 2011 5:17 PM
To: AFSCME Leadership
Subject:

This message is being sent on behalf of Elissa McBride, Director of Education and Leadership Training.

I am writing to remind you of two excellent leadership development opportunities for your staff and rank and file leaders. Scholarship deadlines are coming up for the National Labor College and the Harvard Trade Union Program. Applications can be downloaded from http://www.afscme.org/members/scholarships.

AFSCME offers scholarships to help members and staff complete their undergraduate degrees at the National Labor College (NLC). Most of the NLC’s degree programs are now fully online, so these degrees are more accessible than ever. The deadline for scholarship applications is November 15. Information is available online at http://www.nlc.edu/.

The Jerry Wurf Memorial Fund provides several scholarships for AFSCME leaders to attend the annual Harvard Trade Union Program. One of these scholarships is reserved for a rank and file leader, and release time is covered. The program will take place in January and February of 2012 in Cambridge, Mass. The deadline for applications is November 1. Information is available at http://www.law.harvard.edu/programs/lwp/HTUPapply.html.

As always, please contact me with any questions about these programs.

Elissa McBride
AFSCME Education Director
202-429-1254 office
202-302-2193 cell

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Employer Beginning to Cancel Local Agreements

We are receiving word from AFSCME Local Union leaders that some agencies are beginning to CANCEL local agreements related to such things as Alternative Work Patterns and Vacation Scheduling. Local Union leaders are asking for written notification and are being advised that the employer no longer needs to provide written notice. Please share any and all communications that any of you receive regarding any actions on the part of the employer to do anything with what use to be an agreement between the employer and employees. Send to Marty Beil (mbeil@wseu-24.org) or Jana Weaver (jweaver@wseu-24.org).

Thank you!

Democratic proposal would put Legislature back in charge of changes to Medicaid

We are not very optomistic that the Democrats will succeed with this effort considering you would have to convince the Republicans that what they have done was wrong. But, if it were to happen it would benefit everyone because as more and more people are dropped from medicaid assistance it will cost all of us who are fortunate enough to have health insurance.

Democratic proposal would put Legislature back in charge of changes to Medicaid

Editorial: Navigating post collective bargaining world | The Oshkosh Northwestern | thenorthwestern.com

This editorial starts out nicely containing the truth about Walker's anti-union plan, but then ends with a school official stating that the new law will stop the Unions from blindly negotiating more then generous benefits. It is statements like that that bring about the wrong stereotype on Unions. Negotiations take TWO parties to negotiate. If the Unions were negotiating such generous pay and benefits for its members one has to remember that the otherside of the table (the employer) was agreeing to the terms. It is absolutely unfair to pin overzealous bargaining agreements entirely on the Unions. Again, it took two sides to negotiate.

We also have to remember that for years it was the employer who offered to state employees a "budgeted" amount of money and would only agree to how the Unions divided it up. This is why benefits were made so generous in order that state employees could equally share in economical improvements with every now and then Administrations adding selective market adjustments to some job classifications. Again, it took two to negotiate and Unions never received more than they were allotted by the state government budget. It is for that reason that Unions tried for many years to convince the employer to allow for negotiations to take place and then budget around the final negotiations.

Editorial: Navigating post collective bargaining world The Oshkosh Northwestern thenorthwestern.com

Monday, October 3, 2011

PolitiFact Wisconsin | One Wisconsin Now says Gov. Scott Walker is charging the public $50 to hear his views on jobs

Who would want to pay $50 to hear SCOTT WALKER speak, especially about job depletion, oops, excuse us, "job creation".

PolitiFact Wisconsin One Wisconsin Now says Gov. Scott Walker is charging the public $50 to hear his views on jobs

New State Laws Are Limiting Access for Voters - NYTimes.com

Wisconsin is now one of seven states with unnecessary strict voter ID law.

New State Laws Are Limiting Access for Voters - NYTimes.com

Madison360: When will genuine Republicans strike back?

Finally, the question is being asked. Because of the extreme radical agenda of Scott Walker and the Wisconsin Legislature majority party one has to wonder where the "real" Republicans are? However, even outside of Wisconsin the Tea Party, containing very radical conservatives seems to be running rough shod over the Republican Party. The result, desimation of public services and the gutting of public education. When will true Republicans join with Democrats and settle this radicalism down to something that the people can live with?

Madison360: When will genuine Republicans strike back?

David Prosser has a problem with civility

Can you imagine how people outside of Wisconsin view the child like actions of Justice David Prosser? SEPAC thinks today, Justice Prosser, if facing an election would clearly fail to win that election.

David Prosser has a problem with civility

Oshkosh Corp., union meet, pledge to resolve differences | The Oshkosh Northwestern | thenorthwestern.com

For "anti-union" believers just look at the picture in this article. Take notice that the Union IS NOT one person or some machine, it is the collective voice of the workers. Organized workers is the only way to bring about fairness and respect in the workplace.

Oshkosh Corp., union meet, pledge to resolve differences The Oshkosh Northwestern thenorthwestern.com

Ex-councilman shows interest in redrawn 91st - Leader-Telegram: Front Page

Ex-councilman shows interest in redrawn 91st - Leader-Telegram: Front Page

Council 24 at RCI Health & Financial Benefits Fair Today

If you work at the Racine Correctional Institution please stop by and visit us at the AFSCME Council 24 table. We would love to speak with you about the benefits of union membership and even tell you more about AFSCME and what we do.

We need your help

Council 24 has been monitoring the various agencies with regards to their actions related to the annual vacation selection process. We recently received a memorandum that was from DOC to its employees explaining the delay in the annual vacation selection process. We ask that if any of you receive any communications from your agency leadership that you please forward them to Council 24 at jweaver@wseu-24.org or mbeil@wseu-24.org. Thank you.

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Many local school unions reform before deadline - WSAU News/Talk 550AM 99.9FM

Read what the WSEU thinks about this issue at our facebook page.

Many local school unions reform before deadline - WSAU News/Talk 550AM 99.9FM

Investigation threatens to become big problem for Walker | Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune | wisconsinrapidstribune.com

SCOTT WALKER is so many things, most of them bad and now he may add to those bad things, a "criminal". His election was somewhat of a surprise, but now it is truly in question. WALKER is bad for Wisconsin and if the wheels of justice do not turn fast enough then Wisconsinites will have to ensure he is RECALLED.

Investigation threatens to become big problem for Walker Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune wisconsinrapidstribune.com

John Nichols: Reverse Walker’s job-killing agenda

John Nichols: Reverse Walker’s job-killing agenda

Governors surrounded by FOGs - JSOnline

SCOTT WALKER most likely used a portion of the state employee health care and retirement savings and increased the salaries of some of his closest freinds or commonly referred to as "FOG's".

Steve Walters explains:

Governors surrounded by FOGs - JSOnline

OpEdNews - Article: Scott Walker, ALEC Alum

In addition to WALKER being a possible target in the FBI "John Doe" investigation, he is also a strategical part of the ALEC (American Legislative Exchange Council) Alum. People need to keep an eye on SCOTT WALKER at all times.

OpEdNews - Article: Scott Walker, ALEC Alum

Walker plans ahead for possible recall | Fond du Lac Reporter | fdlreporter.com

Okay, so WALKER see's that people are angry with him. Then why does he continue to upset people?

Walker plans ahead for possible recall Fond du Lac Reporter fdlreporter.com

Louis Lessor: Walker’s actions hurt our schools

The bigger question is; "How does a college drop-out value education?"

Watching the actions of Governor Scott Walker will show us the answer, you don't...

Louis Lessor: Walker’s actions hurt our schools