Biz Beat: Proposal would let new UW staff opt out of state retirement system

New hires at the University of Wisconsin could opt out of the state retirement system under a proposal being floated in the Assembly, though it's not clear that they would want to.

The measure would allow the UW System to let covered employees select a defined-contribution plan — like a 401(k) — rather than participating in the state pension system.

Biz Beat: Proposal would let new UW staff opt out of state retirement system

WisPolitics DC Wrap: DCCC chairman expects three Wis. challengers to be among top pick-up opportunities

Democratic Campaign Congressional Committee Chairman Steve Israel said Friday that Green Bay business consultant Jamie Wall is "now considered one of the most competitive candidates in the country" by the group, and that he expects two more Dem challengers in Wisconsin to join him on that list later this year.

WisPolitics DC Wrap: DCCC chairman expects three Wis. challengers to be among top pick-up opportunities

WisPolitics.com: Gableman refuses requests to recuse himself from three cases

Justice Michael Gableman today rejected motions seeking to force him off three cases before the state Supreme Court, writing they were "neither justified nor warranted."

WisPolitics.com: Gableman refuses requests to recuse himself from three cases

ACLU Raises Concern About Petition Verification Process - Politics News Story - WISN Milwaukee

MILWAUKEE -- The American Civil Liberties Union is raising a concern with the ongoing recall petition verification process in Madison, saying that it could potentially jeopardize domestic violence and stalking victims.Read more: http://www.wisn.com/politics/30255347/detail.html#ixzz1k8gXIOzN

ACLU Raises Concern About Petition Verification Process - Politics News Story - WISN Milwaukee

WisPolitics.com: GAB: Recall petition update 2

Madison, WI – The Wisconsin Department of Justice today filed a motion in Dane County Circuit Court seeking an extension of the time the Government Accountability Board has to review the petitions.

WisPolitics.com: GAB: Recall petition update 2

Kleefisch speaks to supporters in county - Watertown Daily Times Online : News: rebecca kleefisch,

Held at Hi-Way Harry’s restaurant and lounge on Interstate 94, the event was kept hush-hush in terms of pre-publicity by organizers from Scott Walker’s Jefferson County supporters, their concern being the event could be spoiled by protesters during this turbulent political time in state history.

Kleefisch speaks to supporters in county - Watertown Daily Times Online : News: rebecca kleefisch,

Gundlach to head central labor council

Kevin Gundlach has been elected president of the South Central Federation of Labor, 1602 S. Park St.

Gundlach to head central labor council

Machinists end 2-month-old strike at Manitowoc Co. - JSOnline

The 2-month-old strike at Manitowoc Co. has ended with machinists voting to accept a four-year contract that allows them to drop out of the union but still get the same pay and benefits.

Machinists end 2-month-old strike at Manitowoc Co. - JSOnline

Accountability Board seeks more time to review recall signatures - JSOnline

The state Government Accountability Board plans to go to court next week to ask for more time to review the 1.9 million signatures turned in this week in the recall attempts against Gov. Scott Walker and other public officials.

Accountability Board seeks more time to review recall signatures - JSOnline

4 GOP senators have $734k for recall - Wanggaard has $112,000

MADISON, Wis. (AP) - The four Republican Wisconsin state senators targeted for recall said Thursday that collectively they have about $734,000 in the bank to fight efforts to remove them from office.

4 GOP senators have $734k for recall - Wanggaard has $112,000

Many Tossing Hats In Walker Recall Ring | Ashland Current

A day after organizers turned in more than a million signatures in an effort to recall Governor Scott Walker, the move sets up a likely Democratic primary.

Many Tossing Hats In Walker Recall Ring Ashland Current

Unions & Wisonsin’s recall—Christian Schneider - NYPOST.com

Opponents of Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker have now succeeded in collecting over 1 million signatures for mounting a recall election, which now appears certain to take place later this year. Will the enemies of reform succeed in removing him? They’ll have plenty of outside money for that cause. The state is the focus of the national battle to rein in the power of public-employee unions. And Wisconsin is a must-win swing-state for President Obama this fall, so Democrats want to start rolling back the wave that put Walker, a Republican, in office.

Unions & Wisonsin’s recall—Christian Schneider - NYPOST.com

WUWM: News - Expert: Unions Influential Despite Collective Bargaining Changes

Wisconsin’s largest public employee union has begun vetting potential candidates for governor. An executive of AFSCME – the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees says it hopes to endorse someone by mid-March. The state may know by then whether Republican Governor Scott Walker will face a recall election.

WUWM: News - Expert: Unions Influential Despite Collective Bargaining Changes

Public employee union interviews five Dems for Walker recall - JSOnline

Wisconsin's largest public employee union recently sat down individually with three Democrats - and interviewed two more by phone - in its quest to back a candidate to challenge Gov. Scott Walker in a potential recall race. Meeting face to face with officials from Wisconsin's three district councils of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees were former Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk, former two-term U.S. Rep. Steve Kagen of Appleton and state Sen. Kathleen Vinehout of Alma. Richard Abelson, executive director of AFSCME's Council 48 in Milwaukee, said the labor group also conducted endorsement interviews by phone with two more Democrats: Assembly Minority Leader Peter Barca of Kenosha and state Sen. Tim Cullen of Janesville. … Other union officials and insiders have repeatedly said Falk is the front-runner to win AFSCME's backing.

Public employee union interviews five Dems for Walker recall - JSOnline

Obama Fights Back Against Koch Brothers in New Ad - NYTimes.com

Facing attacks on his character from some particularly aggressive and well-financed opponents, President Obama will begin running the first broadcast television ad of his presidential re-election campaign on Thursday.…… Without mentioning them by name, it takes on Charles and David Koch, the wealthy conservative businessmen who have opposed Mr. Obama through the political advocacy group Americans for Prosperity.

Obama Fights Back Against Koch Brothers in New Ad - NYTimes.com

AFL-CIO chief Trumka rejects White House jobs council report - TheHill.com

AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka on Wednesday offered a stinging rebuke of the the White House jobs council’s latest report.

AFL-CIO chief Trumka rejects White House jobs council report - TheHill.com

1 Shareholder Takes On 21 Big Targets (JPM)

The American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees' AFL-CIO Employees Pension Plan is filing shareholder proposals at 21 major companies.

1 Shareholder Takes On 21 Big Targets (JPM)

Polling favors Barrett; union leader dismisses candidacy - WXOW News 19 La Crosse, WI – News, Weather and Sports |

New public opinion polling shows Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett as the favorite if a primary election is held in the recall election of Governor Scott Walker. But AFSCME Council 24 president Marty Beil dismissed Barrett's potential candidacy. "Tom Barrett's a non-starter." Beil cited Barrett's adoption of elements of Walker's public union collective bargaining limits and give-backs in Barrett's agreements with city of Milwaukee workers.

Polling favors Barrett; union leader dismisses candidacy - WXOW News 19 La Crosse, WI – News, Weather and Sports

Daily Kos: Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker stuck hearing that 'Dr. King would have been on the side of workers'

"We know that Dr. King would have been on the side of workers struggling to receive a fair wage and decent working conditions. We know this ... we know this ... we know this ..."

Daily Kos: Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker stuck hearing that 'Dr. King would have been on the side of workers'

Public unions: What's the big deal? - latimes.com

…. Lately, critics of public sector unions are fond of alleging that Kennedy's extension of union rights to government was a mistake. They claim that collective bargaining by government is responsible for today's budget deficits; that public sector unions, in league with allies in the Democratic Party, are lining the pockets of their members at taxpayers' expense. The facts don't support these allegations. There is little correlation between states that have public sector collective bargaining and states with large deficits. …. Reviewing the history of the last 50 years gives the lie to those who have persistently argued that public sector collective bargaining inevitably corrupts the political system. No such debasement has occurred. Rather than serving as an instrument of plunder, public sector collective bargaining has proved to be a bulwark of an important sector of the American middle class.

Public unions: What's the big deal? - latimes.com

Webcam set up for Walker recall signature review

The Government Accountability Board is live streaming the review process via a webcam. A single camera is focused on employees reviewing and scanning documents.

Webcam set up for Walker recall signature review

Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker says he wants recall election soon | Appleton Post Crescent | postcrescent.com

MADISON — Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker says he believes petition circulators have enough valid signatures to force a recall election against him, and he wants it to happen sooner rather than later.

Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker says he wants recall election soon Appleton Post Crescent postcrescent.com

WisPolitics.com: Falk Campaign: Kathleen Falk will run for governor

“One million Wisconsinites signed recall petitions in an unprecedented and inspiring show of solidarity and determination: things are not working here and we must, we can, and we will do better,” Falk wrote.

WisPolitics.com: Falk Campaign: Kathleen Falk will run for governor

Channel3000.com - Survey Popup

Do You Support Recalling Scott Walker? Please Vote!

Channel3000.com - Survey Popup

Democrats to file 1 million signatures for Walker recall - JSOnline

Madison - Democrats and organizers will file petitions with more than a million signatures Tuesday afternoon as they seek to force a recall election against Gov. Scott Walker, a massive number that seems to cement a historic recall election against him for later this year.

Democrats to file 1 million signatures for Walker recall - JSOnline

Governor gets boos, cheers at MLK event (SLIDESHOW)

Professor Sherrilyn Ifill, University of Maryland School of Law, is the keynote speaker at the ceremony remembering the slain civil rights leader. “We know that Dr. King would have been on the side of workers struggling to receive a fair wage and decent working conditions.”

Governor gets boos, cheers at MLK event (SLIDESHOW)

Elections officials to ask judge to schedule all recalls on the same day - JSOnline

Madison - As Democrats plan to submit more than a million signatures Tuesday to recall Gov. Scott Walker and five other Republicans, state election officials are preparing to go to court this week to try to ensure any elections are scheduled on the same day.

Elections officials to ask judge to schedule all recalls on the same day - JSOnline

Dems still searching for Walker opponent « The Daily Reporter

Recall organizers say they have gathered far more than the 540,208 signatures required to force the election against both Walker and GOP Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch, and submitted their petitions Tuesday.

Dems still searching for Walker opponent « The Daily Reporter

Next phases of recall process likely to be more difficult

The Democratic Party said it will deliver more than 3,000 pounds of petitions to GAB at 3 p.m. Tuesday. The agency officially has 31 days to sign off on the signatures.

Next phases of recall process likely to be more difficult

WisPolitics.com: Wisconsin AFL-CIO: Machinists members overwhelmingly reject contract proposal

(Manitowoc, WI) - International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Local 516 members at Manitowoc Cranes have overwhelmingly rejected a contract proposal that contained many union-busting provisions.

WisPolitics.com: Wisconsin AFL-CIO: Machinists members overwhelmingly reject contract proposal

Signature drive to recall Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, other Republicans, wraps up | The Oshkosh Northwestern | thenorthwestern.com

Saturday was the last day for collecting signatures. The forms must be turned in to the Government Accountability Board on Tuesday. And while no totals have been given out, it seems clear they have all collected enough. Recall organizers have even planned a big media event for that day, complete with a party for volunteers.

Signature drive to recall Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, other Republicans, wraps up The Oshkosh Northwestern thenorthwestern.com

Deputies join unions' suit over benefits | Green Bay Press Gazette | greenbaypressgazette.com

The Brown County sheriff's deputies union has joined a lawsuit by Green Bay police and firefighter unions against the city of Green Bay, and Brown County soon will be added as a defendant, a lawyer says.

Deputies join unions' suit over benefits Green Bay Press Gazette greenbaypressgazette.com

Wisconsin's Senate race on US radar | Appleton Post Crescent | postcrescent.com

Now, the race for Wisconsin's open Senate seat is very much on the national radar. And in modern-day campaign politics that means Wisconsinites can expect to see a lot of energy and money devoted to the race from groups and individuals outside the Badger State.

Wisconsin's Senate race on US radar Appleton Post Crescent postcrescent.com

Redistricting problem means thousands are listed in wrong district - JSOnline

Madison - State election officials said in a memo Friday that they could not entirely follow a new law that sets legislative boundaries - meaning that some voters are not actually in the districts where lawmakers intended them to be.

Redistricting problem means thousands are listed in wrong district - JSOnline