WisPolitics.com: Falk Campaign: Statements on judge denying Walker delay

Madison – The campaign of Kathleen Falk, Democratic candidate for governor and former Dane County Executive, released the following statements regarding Judge Richard Niess’ denial of Gov. Scott Walker’s latest delay tactic in the recall against the governor.

WisPolitics.com: Falk Campaign: Statements on judge denying Walker delay

UWO faced with $2.2 million cut, says students will begin to see impact in fall | The Oshkosh Northwestern | thenorthwestern.com

The University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh will have to find ways to address a $2.2 million budget cut by July, but the university's chancellor said students will not begin to see impacts on campus until they return for the fall semester.

UWO faced with $2.2 million cut, says students will begin to see impact in fall The Oshkosh Northwestern thenorthwestern.com

Redistricting maps shared with former Assembly Speaker Jensen - JSOnline

Madison - Three days before new election maps were made available to the public, Republicans supplied copies of some of them to former Assembly Speaker Scott Jensen, who now heads a group that spends heavily to elect GOP lawmakers.

Redistricting maps shared with former Assembly Speaker Jensen - JSOnline

Senate moderates propose constitutional change to make redistricting nonpartisan

A bipartisan pair of state senators has offered legislation to take redistricting out of the hands of state lawmakers and give it to an independent, nonpartisan commission.

Senate moderates propose constitutional change to make redistricting nonpartisan

Former aide to Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker to be arraigned on theft charge | Appleton Post Crescent | postcrescent.com

MILWAUKEE — A man who was a deputy chief of staff to Gov. Scott Walker when Walker was the Milwaukee County executive is set to be arraigned on theft charges.

Former aide to Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker to be arraigned on theft charge Appleton Post Crescent postcrescent.com

Kathleen Falk: Why I would veto and why it’s important to say it

Wisconsin deserves a governor who will stand up and fight for what is right for our economy and for our middle class. And we need a governor who is open, honest and transparent. ….. This is why I have said that as governor, I will restore workers’ rights through the state budget and if that budget comes back to my desk without those rights, I will veto it. I will also make sure our employees pay their fair share. Walker abolished our rights in his budget repair bill and I will use the budget to get them back.

Kathleen Falk: Why I would veto and why it’s important to say it

Money flows into Wisconsin governor recall fight | Reuters

Political money has poured into Wisconsin in recent months - not for the presidential or Senate races but for a state vote getting national billing as a battle for the interests of the middle class. ….. The influx of out-of-state money has heightened tensions between anti-Walker forces and groups affiliated with the small-government Tea Party movement that are doing much of the grassroots organizing on Walker's behalf.

Money flows into Wisconsin governor recall fight Reuters

Leaked documents detail 'Operation Angry Badger' - JSOnline

A Chicago-based free-market think tank has prepared a strategy to sway the recall debate in Wisconsin, including detailing "the shortcomings of public schools," according to leaked documents that appeared this week on the Internet. "Operation Angry Badger" purportedly describes a Heartland Institute proposal that would cost about $612,000 and focus on promoting Wisconsin Act 10, which curtailed collective bargaining for most public-sector workers. …. According to tax filings from 2001 to 2010, the Heartland Institute received $905,000 in funding from the Milwaukee-based Bradley Foundation.

Leaked documents detail 'Operation Angry Badger' - JSOnline

Let corrections department find budget savings | Statesman Journal | statesmanjournal.com

Ken Allen of Beaverton is executive director of Oregon Council 75 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME),
Statesman Journal, 9:00 PM, Feb. 16, 2012

AFSCME Council 75 represents the workers in the vast majority of the state corrections facilities in Oregon. Our members work hard to protect the public, while working with inmates incarcerated in 13 prisons throughout the state. …. The leadership of this union is opposed to the closure of the Santiam facility. Department leadership has asked legislators to let them find the $1.6 million of cuts in the budget of the whole department. Legislators should do their jobs to monitor budget needs, but none of them has ever even run a prison.

Let corrections department find budget savings Statesman Journal statesmanjournal.com

Prison Privatization Report Reveals Risks to Residents and Taxpayers

…. Led by the Michigan Corrections Organization (MCO), SEIU, the UAW, AFSCME, and MSEA joined together to release the comprehensive examination of privatization, “Pitfalls and Promises: The Real Risks to Residents and Taxpayers of Privatizing Prisons and Prison Services in Michigan,” . It details the problems under privatization at Baldwin and elsewhere and GEO’s troubled history, including multiple lawsuits that have cost GEO tens of millions of dollars – liability costs passed on to state with which it contracts.

Prison Privatization Report Reveals Risks to Residents and Taxpayers

Scott will explore ways to privatize prisons without law change - Jacksonville Business Journal

—Gov. Rick Scott said Thursday he will explore opportunities to privatize state prisons on his own following the Senate's defeat of a bill that would have required some prisons be bid out to private companies. Speaking to reporters Thursday morning after a public event on insurance fraud, Scott acknowledged that initially he didn't consider privatizing prisons a priority, but was disappointed the Senate voted down a bill that would have done that, and said he'll explore what many backers of the Senate plan said was a possibility – that the governor could order privatization unilaterally.

Scott will explore ways to privatize prisons without law change - Jacksonville Business Journal

Arizona private prisons slammed by report#ixzz1mZIGYUmM#ixzz1mZIGYUmM

Arizona's private prisons are not cost-effective for taxpayers and are more difficult to monitor than state prisons, according to a new report by a prison watchdog group that is calling for a moratorium on any new private prisons in the state. The report examined the five prisons that have contracts to house Arizona prisoners and six private prisons that house federal detainees or inmates from other states, including California and Hawaii. Based on public-information requests and other data, the report by the American Friends Service Committee, a Quaker group that works on criminal-justice reform.

Arizona private prisons slammed by report#ixzz1mZIGYUmM#ixzz1mZIGYUmM

Current feds are still at risk despite payroll deal, unions warn - Pay & Benefits - GovExec.com

A legislative deal that requires new federal hires to contribute more to their government pensions spares current employees, but they’re still very much at risk, observers warned. …. Carl Goldman, executive director of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 26, called the agreement to increase the amount new workers contribute to their government pensions “race-to-the-bottom economics.”

Current feds are still at risk despite payroll deal, unions warn - Pay & Benefits - GovExec.com

Unions in the Crosshairs | Dirt Diggers Digest

“We’ll make the unions understand full well that they are not needed, not wanted, and not welcome in the State of South Carolina,” Gov. Nikki Haley declared in her recent State of the State address. … Haley’s brazen expression of anti-union animus is a sign of the times.… Last year, apologists for the effort to eradicate public sector collective bargaining rights in states like Wisconsin insisted that it was not an assault on unions in general. Yet these days private sector union members are in the crosshairs as well. Indiana, in the heart of the industrial Midwest, recently enacted a “right to work” law, the first state to take this deliberate step to weaken unions in more than a decade. Legislators in states such as South Carolina that are already in the “right to work” camp are considering bills that would make it even more difficult for unions to operate.

Unions in the Crosshairs Dirt Diggers Digest

Indiana's new right-to-work law could prompt copycats | McClatchy

When Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels signed legislation this month making Indiana the nation's first new right-to-work state in more than a decade, it turned up the heat on a long-simmering debate about the true intent and impact of the controversial anti-union laws. ….. As states offer up a slate of smokestack-friendly incentives to lure businesses, conservative lawmakers nationwide are dusting off the decades-old right-to-work legislation for a new-millennium revival. … Other areas of the country also are taking a closer look at the legislation. In New Hampshire, a new right-to-work proposal is working its way through the state legislature after Gov. John Lynch vetoed the measure last year. Both GOP gubernatorial candidates in Missouri support right-to-work laws. And in Oregon, a conservative think tank just released a study that claims that if a new right-to-work law were enacted there this year, the state would add 50,000 new jobs by 2016.

Indiana's new right-to-work law could prompt copycats McClatchy

Local 2748 Member Angela Smillie running for Janesville City Council

AFSCME Sisters and Brothers:

Local 2748 member Angela Smillie is running for Janesville City Council. Angela’s candidacy has been endorsed by Local 2748 Executive Board. She is with the Emerge Program.

Angela works at the State of WI Department of Corrections. She studied Behavior Science and Law at UW Madison.

Angela is holding a “meet and greet” event on Saturday, from 2-4 pm at Bazinga’s (1110 Kellogg Ave) in Janesville. Please spread the good word, and join me at the event to learn more about Angela and her candidacy.

Here is the link for info: https://www.facebook.com/events/308797049157708/

Angela Smillie can be reached at 608-279-7932; email at anggalefischer@yahoo.com

Assembly Democrats Announce “Restoring Integrity” Ethics Package

MADISON – Today, Assembly Democrats announced "Restoring Integrity," a package of ethics legislation designed to reverse the worst power abuses of Gov. Walker and legislative Republicans and restore integrity to all branches of Wisconsin government.

Assembly Democrats Announce “Restoring Integrity” Ethics Package

Wisconsin’s Walker Piles Up Record of Massive Job Loss, Attacks on Civil, Workers’ Rights | AFL-CIO NOW BLOG

….. “Losses to Working Families Under Gov. Walker” highlights the effects of Walker’s actions, including large-scale job loss, attacks worker’s fundamental freedoms, loss of employment protections and benefits, the transfer of wealth to the 1 percent, loss of quality public education, increased taxes on low-income Wisconsinites, loss of health care coverage, loss of citizen access to the courts and the loss of honest, clean and open government. Here are a few of Walker’s “accomplishments.”

Wisconsin’s Walker Piles Up Record of Massive Job Loss, Attacks on Civil, Workers’ Rights AFL-CIO NOW BLOG

Unions rally to kick off Walker recall state tour

Wisconsin labor leaders kicked off a statewide tour Wednesday night in La Crosse to mark the one-year anniversary of a Republican-backed bill that curbed collective bargaining for public workers and call for the ouster of Gov. Scott Walker. … “It’s all about taking our government back — the middle class taking our government back,” said Marty Beil, head of the Wisconsin State Employees Union. “It’s not just public unions.”

Unions rally to kick off Walker recall state tour

AFSCME | Look Familiar?

You’ve probably seen the new What People Think I Do/What I Really Do internet meme making the rounds this week. It’s a distinctive black chart with six pictures in which people depict how others view their profession. There’s one for journalists, teachers, graphic designers, grad students, stay-at-home moms and a host of other careers. Now there’s one just for public service workers.

AFSCME Look Familiar?

Romney: I’ll Take On Union Bosses - Washington Wire - WSJ

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney returned to his native state of Michigan and took firm aim at organized labor. “I’ve taken on union bosses before and I’m happy to take them on again,” he told a crowd crammed into a furniture company facility. “I sure won’t give in to UAW.”

Romney: I’ll Take On Union Bosses - Washington Wire - WSJ

Mitt Romney returns to native Michigan, blasts unions, Obama | Detroit Free Press | freep.com

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney returned to his native state of Michigan and took firm aim at organized labor. “I’ve taken on union bosses before and I’m happy to take them on again,” he told a crowd crammed into a furniture company facility. “I sure won’t give in to UAW.”

Mitt Romney returns to native Michigan, blasts unions, Obama Detroit Free Press freep.com

Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker seeks two more weeks for signature review | Appleton Post Crescent | postcrescent.com

AP MADISON — Gov. Scott Walker wants an additional two weeks to review signatures on recall petitions, saying he doesn't have enough time to go over the estimated 1 million signatures submitted last month. Walker's request made in Dane County circuit ...

Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker seeks two more weeks for signature review Appleton Post Crescent postcrescent.com

THE WINTER OF OUR DISCONTENT... by Joe Lynde — Kickstarter

From: JOE LYNDE [mailto:joecharles20@hotmail.com]
Sent: Monday, February 13, 2012 9:56 AM
To: Marty Beil
Subject: Wave Anniversary 2-11-2012- Book-REQUEST

Hi Marty, Would you do me a favor? We are twenty days away from pledges to print our labor celebration photo journal book" The Winter of Our Discontent...this is what democracy looks like". There is no profit in this book and the pledger gets a copy of the book and other perks.So here's the favor: Could you ask the membership to take a peek at the video/slideshow of images?The link at Kickstarter is below Saturday's anniversary shoot.

Thanks Joe Lynde
Capitol Connection
Proud AFT member

THE WINTER OF OUR DISCONTENT... by Joe Lynde — Kickstarter

State worker married to GOP official gets promotion, big raise - JSOnline

Madison - The head of a state agency late last year gave a political appointment - and a nearly $27,000 annual raise - to the wife of a Republican Party official without considering any other applicants, state records show.

State worker married to GOP official gets promotion, big raise - JSOnline

David Mills and David Stella: State retirement plan a model for private sector

Wisconsin already has significantly cut taxpayer-funded employee compensation costs at the state and local level. The focus has been on shifting the cost of benefits to public employees, especially for health insurance and pension costs related to the Wisconsin Retirement System. In addition, WRS benefits have been reduced for some categories of employees, and some benefits have been reduced for newly hired employees.

David Mills and David Stella: State retirement plan a model for private sector

Ohio pastors say overturning collective bargaining limits worked because of union, faith leader partnership

Two Ohio pastors who helped lead an effort in that state to bring back collective bargaining for public employees told a Madison audience Tuesday the campaign would have failed without a partnership between unions and faith leaders.

Ohio pastors say overturning collective bargaining limits worked because of union, faith leader partnership

Michigan unions sue to halt mandated DB-or-DC choice - Pensions & Investments

A new Michigan law requiring state employees to either contribute 4% of pay to the $9.1 billion Michigan State Employees' Retirement System, Lansing, or join a defined contribution plan is unconstitutional because the state Legislature overstepped its authority in passing the law, according to a class-action lawsuit filed Monday by a coalition of unions.…. The coalition consists of Service Employees International Union Local 517M, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 25, Michigan Corrections Organization SEIU, Michigan State Employees Association and the International United Auto Workers Local 6000, which represents some state employees.

Michigan unions sue to halt mandated DB-or-DC choice - Pensions & Investments

Michigan's Hostile Takeover | Mother Jones

…. Nearly one year after the passage of the emergency-manager law, its opponents are rallying to blunt its impact. The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees and the Detroit-based nonprofit Michigan Forward announced they've collected more than the required 160,000 signatures necessary to put the law up for referendum in November; they plan to deliver the signatures to the state on March 2.

Michigan's Hostile Takeover Mother Jones

AFSCME | Prison Privatization Fails in Florida Senate

Prison officers whose jobs were at stake stood in the Senate gallery and applauded Tuesday as an intense two-hour debate ended with the narrow defeat of a sweeping plan to privatize prisons in 18 South Florida counties. … "I'm looking at the state employees," said Sen. Dennis Jones, R-Seminole, nodding toward the correctional officers and organized-labor leaders in the audience. "What's wrong with state employees? They're our employees, we should be taking care of them, rather than kicking them under the bus.".… Jeanette Wynn, state president of AFSCME, said "we must stand together" or the Republican administration will privatize more of state government. She said licensed practical nurses and office workers in the prisons are represented by AFSCME.

AFSCME Prison Privatization Fails in Florida Senate

Brewer's personnel reform plan to be introduced today#ixzz1mSWDay13#ixzz1mSWDay13#ixzz1mSWDay13

Gov. Jan Brewer's plan to make sweeping changes to the state's personnel system -- including making it easier to fire employees -- will be introduced later today through legislation. … The bill is expected to be heard in a Thursday committee, Benson said. …. If passed, Benson said the measure will transition the state's mostly-covered workforce to a mostly uncovered workforce, making it easier to fire and discipline state workers.

Brewer's personnel reform plan to be introduced today#ixzz1mSWDay13#ixzz1mSWDay13#ixzz1mSWDay13

AFL-CIO: Republicans voted almost 100% wrong on labor issues » peoplesworld

The party cleavage was stark in the GOP-run House last year on AFL-CIO-selected key votes, with the GOP a sea of red "x" wrong votes on labor's issues, and Democrats racking up almost as many blue check mark "rights." … Overall, 137 House Republicans each went 0-18 on the AFL-CIO's key votes, while another 18 also never voted with labor, but missed votes here and there. And 17 more agreed with organized labor's stand only once on last year's key votes.

AFL-CIO: Republicans voted almost 100% wrong on labor issues » peoplesworld

Private Prison Corporation Offers Cash In Exchange For State Prisons

As state governments wrestle with massive budget shortfalls, a Wall Street giant is offering a solution: cash in exchange for state property. Prisons, to be exact. Corrections Corporation of America, the nation's largest operator of for-profit prisons, has sent letters recently to 48 states offering to buy up their prisons as a remedy for "challenging corrections budgets." In exchange, the company is asking for a 20-year management contract, plus an assurance that the prison would remain at least 90 percent full, according to a copy of the letter obtained by The Huffington Post.

Private Prison Corporation Offers Cash In Exchange For State Prisons

Courts block efforts at public pension change

A pair of recent court rulings could slow down state lawmakers’ efforts to increase contributions from current employees to prop up troubled public pension plans. …. One way to head off legal challenges, public pension analysts say, is to avoid legislation altogether by negotiating higher contributions with public employee unions. Vermont did that in 2010, requiring employees to work longer and pay more for benefits but giving them a fatter pension check in return. “A deal everyone makes doesn’t end up at the courthouse,” says Klausner. “It’s certainly something I’ve recommended — consult with labor. Working out the deal yourself is probably the best solution.”

Courts block efforts at public pension change

The BRAD BLOG : Prosecutors May be Closing in on Walker as WI Gov Implicated In Criminal Complaint Against Aides

A Recall may prove to be the least of his worries as Wisconsin's controversial Republican Governor is implicated in criminal complaint... That'll teach us to give Jimmy even the benefit of the doubt...on anything... The appellate court has found CA's ...

The BRAD BLOG : Prosecutors May be Closing in on Walker as WI Gov Implicated In Criminal Complaint Against Aides

Will Gov. Scott Walker Ever Come Clean On Wisconsin's Budget Deficit? - Forbes

Even the harshest critic of the Wisconsin governor would have to acknowledge that this is some pretty impressive work. For a governor to balance his state's budget in these tough times—even if it is done by making Draconian cuts to health and ...

Will Gov. Scott Walker Ever Come Clean On Wisconsin's Budget Deficit? - Forbes

Three Wisconsin GOP legislators to hang it up | News - Home

Three Republican legislators say they won't seek re-election to the state Assembly this fall.

Three Wisconsin GOP legislators to hang it up News - Home

Walker to join Obama for Wisconsin visit

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Republican Gov. Scott Walker plans to greet President Barack Obama in Milwaukee on Wednesday and accompany him on a visit to Master Lock. Walker's spokesman Chris Schrimpf confirmed Tuesday that Walker will meet the president at …

Walker to join Obama for Wisconsin visit

William Motzel: Walker mismanaging mortgage money

Gov. Scott Walker wants to use federal foreclosure settlement money to balance the state's budget. Walker has always spoken loudly against this method of balancing the budget, but now it's OK? That makes him a hypocrite. Walker is misdirecting money ...

William Motzel: Walker mismanaging mortgage money

Kathleen Falk: Veto pledge important for Wisconsin

Wisconsin deserves a governor who is open, honest and transparent, and will stand up and fight for what is right for our economy and for our middle class. As the granddaughter of a Milwaukee bus driver, I learned early on how important collective ...

Kathleen Falk: Veto pledge important for Wisconsin

Madison Politiscope: Fitzgerald campaign submits bizarre, inaccurate signature challenges

Is it too much to ask a citizen to legibly fill out his name and address? A glimpse of the petitions submitted to recall Sen. Scott Fitzgerald, R-Juneau, suggests that it might be. However, the poor penmanship and geographic ignorance that seems to afflict many in the 13th Senate District is not quite as surprising as the sloppiness and apparent ineptitude that define the Fitzgerald campaign's petition challenges.

Madison Politiscope: Fitzgerald campaign submits bizarre, inaccurate signature challenges

Whose Wisconsin recall is it? - Salon.com

….. “I would hope that Tom Barrett understands the issues here, and why he might not fit the matrix of what a champion looks like,” says Marty Beil, executive director of the largest local of the state’s largest district council of the American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). …. “Historically it was labor and the Democratic Party that partnered in the political process,” says Biel. “But here the change is, it’s labor and the community that partner in the political process.” We Are Wisconsin’s ads helped establish the campaign’s populist edge, and some Democrats’ ads reinforced it. The more third-party groups dominate advertising, the more populist it’s likely to be. A spokesperson for Democracy for America says the national group will support We Are Wisconsin’s efforts.

Whose Wisconsin recall is it? - Salon.com

Prison wardens get raises amid reorganization | The Marion Star | marionstar.com

The state prisons director says most Ohio wardens received raises this year as they take on more responsibility under a reorganization plan for the overcrowded system. That's drawing criticism from the Ohio Civil Service Employees Association, the union that represents about 9,000 corrections staff, which views the raises as an insult in light of hundreds of layoffs and reports of a looming budget shortfall in the prisons division. "They're asking us to make sacrifices but giving exorbitant raises to, basically, the desk jockeys," OCSEA spokeswoman Sally Meckling said.

Prison wardens get raises amid reorganization The Marion Star marionstar.com

Ohioans like ‘right-to-work’ idea, poll says | The Columbus Dispatch

Ohio should become the nation’s 24th “right-to-work state,” voters in a new poll declare. By a 14-point margin – 50 percent to 36 percent – participants in the Quinnipiac Poll say the Buckeye State should join Indiana in making it more difficult to mandate union membership. The poll comes less than four months after Ohio voters crushed Senate Bill 5 by 23 points in a referendum on slashing public employee union rights.

Ohioans like ‘right-to-work’ idea, poll says The Columbus Dispatch

Weighing In On Proposed ‘Right To Work’ Amendment « CBS Minnesota

Minnesota Republicans have proposed a “right to work” amendment to the state Constitution. They say they want voters to decide whether people should be forced to join a union as a condition of their employment. If the amendment passes, it will allow people who choose not to be part of the union, not to pay dues. It’s one of several proposals to change the state Constitution at the legislature. Esme Murphy had several people on her WCCO Sunday Morning show to weigh in on the topic, including Rep. Kurt Zellers and Executive Director of the AFSCME Council 5 Eliot Seide.

Weighing In On Proposed ‘Right To Work’ Amendment « CBS Minnesota

Florida to Vote on Privatizing Prisons - WSJ.com

Florida's Senate is expected to vote Tuesday on a controversial plan to privatize state prison facilities in southern Florida, a move that would create one of the largest private prison operations in the nation. …. State workers and unions, who consider the measure an assault on public employees, have mobilized across the state.

Florida to Vote on Privatizing Prisons - WSJ.com

AFSCME | AFSCME’s McEntee: Obama Budget Puts Middle Class First, Right-Wing Temper Tantrum Ensues

Statement of AFSCME Pres. Gerald W. McEntee on President Obama’s 2013 Budget: “President Obama’s 2013 budget proposal acknowledges the simple truth that creating jobs and strengthening the middle class will build a stronger economy for everyone. The President calls on all Americans to pay their fair share; the budget makes important investments in infrastructure, schools and job creation. President Obama once again has put the needs of middle-class and working families above those of Wall Street brokers and hedge fund managers.

AFSCME AFSCME’s McEntee: Obama Budget Puts Middle Class First, Right-Wing Temper Tantrum Ensues

Area Republicans downplay signing of agreement -- GazetteXtra

MADISON — All but one area Republican lawmaker said they signed an agreement not to discuss redistricting plans formulated by a law firm hired by the Republican-controlled Legislature.

Area Republicans downplay signing of agreement -- GazetteXtra

WEA Trust tries to adapt to changes in state law - JSOnline

Politicians vilifying health insurance companies isn't uncommon. But WEA Trust has the distinction of being attacked not by liberal Democrats but by conservative Republicans.

WEA Trust tries to adapt to changes in state law - JSOnline

Secret's out: Recall petitions being checked on Madison's east side | Green Bay Press Gazette | greenbaypressgazette.com

MADISON — A 100-year-old white brick building two miles east of the state Capitol is the previously secret location where petitions seeking the recall of Gov. Scott Walker and five other Republican office holders are being stored, checked and processed, Wisconsin elections officials disclosed Monday.

Secret's out: Recall petitions being checked on Madison's east side Green Bay Press Gazette greenbaypressgazette.com

Wisconsin Governor comes to Chicago to fight recall

CHICAGO (WLS) - Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker is in Chicago today, raising money to fight the recall effort against him. The Republican told WLS Radio’s Don Wade and Roma Show that he needs to raise a lot of money to counter the Union effort against him.

WLS 890AM

AFSCME | Walker’s Attack on Wisconsin Values Anything But Progressive

Washington Post editorial writer Charles Lane this week wrote a column claiming Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker is a “progressive.” This response from Wisconsin State Employees Union/AFSCME Council 24 Pres. Paulette Feld tells the truth about Walker’s record. It’s clear that Charles Lane doesn’t know much about Wisconsin. Sadly, that didn’t stop him from offering up a through-the-looking-glass take on Scott Walker’s assault on Wisconsin values.

AFSCME Walker’s Attack on Wisconsin Values Anything But Progressive

In Wisconsin, assessing a new labor law’s impact

.. For Ladwig and other local leaders in Wisconsin, however, this new era of managerial flexibility comes with some downsides. The biggest of them is that, in exchange for the collective bargaining changes, the state budget significantly scaled back its payments to local governments and schools. In many places, that decline in state aid outweighs the savings they enjoy from reducing employee benefits.

In Wisconsin, assessing a new labor law’s impact

SD Senate panel approves bonuses for state workers - BusinessWeek

A South Dakota Senate committee on Friday approved one-time bonus pay for state workers. About 13,000 public employees have foregone any salary increase for the past three years while South Dakota grappled with tightened finances. Gov. Dennis Daugaard and a subcommittee of Senate and House lawmakers worked together to come up with the bill, which would provide workers with at least $2,300 extra in their paychecks on March 30.

SD Senate panel approves bonuses for state workers - BusinessWeek

AFSCME | Collective Bargaining Rights Upheld in SD

Activists from AFSCME Council 59 and other supporters of workers’ rights in South Dakota defeated an effort to revoke collective bargaining for public employees there.

Have you recommitted to the Wisconsin Fight? You can recommit HERE.

AFSCME Collective Bargaining Rights Upheld in SD

Arizona public workers will get refunds - News from The Arizona Republic

More than 200,000 public employees, including teachers, likely will receive an average refund of roughly $277 because the Legislature forced them to pay too much into the Arizona State Retirement System this fiscal year. In addition, those ASRS members will have slightly less money taken out of their paychecks to fund their pensions.

Arizona public workers will get refunds - News from The Arizona Republic

How to Trump the Union-Bashers » Counterpunch: Tells the Facts, Names the Names

…. But instead of offering mealy-mouthed, apologetic defenses of their unions, what if these people took the offensive? What if they portrayed organized labor not only as a viable institution—one with glorious antecedents, a rich and storied history, a record of positive social change, blah, blah, blah—but as America’s last and only hope if the middle-class is to survive? …. More substantially, unions need to drive home the point that without economic leverage America’s working class will be at the mercy of the corporations (not that they already aren’t).

How to Trump the Union-Bashers » Counterpunch: Tells the Facts, Names the Names

House Transportation Bill 'Technical Correction' Would Strip Workers Of Pay Protections

A little-noted provision in the House Republicans' controversial energy and transportation bill would strip several thousand workers within the rail-industry of their federal minimum-wage and overtime protections, potentially making low-wage jobs pay even less. Listed in the bill under the heading "Technical Correction," provision 6602 would exempt several companies who transport rail workers from their obligations under the Fair Labor Standards Act, the 1938 law that guarantees basic worker rights. The carveout would allow a handful of boutique contractors to pay no overtime to their drivers who haul rail workers between worksites, often driving long distances of 300 miles or more.

House Transportation Bill 'Technical Correction' Would Strip Workers Of Pay Protections

Labor unions left sour with President Obama set to sign FAA funding bill - The Hill's Transportation Report

Labor’s division over the bill funding the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has helped clear the way for President Obama to sign it. Unions are split in their opposition to the measure, with some fearing its provision on union election rules endangers organizing. Union officials say they were kept in the dark about the negotiations between Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) that helped pass the bill. The resulting compromise changed the Railway Labor Act (RLA) so that the percentage of a company’s workforce needed to vote for holding a union election was increased from 35 to 50 percent.

Labor unions left sour with President Obama set to sign FAA funding bill - The Hill's Transportation Report

One year after his attack on workers’ rights, Gov. Walker has divided Wisconsin like never before

“One year ago, Gov. Walker set Wisconsin on a course that has left our state more polarized than ever before. Beginning with his unprecedented attack on workers’ rights, the governor has continued to divide us while ramming his agenda through before people have had time to object.

One year after his attack on workers’ rights, Gov. Walker has divided Wisconsin like never before

Anniversary of collective bargaining bill produces Madison protests | Sheboygan Press | sheboyganpress.com

“The people are down right now, but we are not out,” said Mahlon Mitchell, president of the Professional Fire Fighters of Wisconsin. “This is a fight they wanted, this is a fight they started. Well if it’s a fight they want, it’s a fight they’re going to get.”

Anniversary of collective bargaining bill produces Madison protests Sheboygan Press sheboyganpress.com

Our View: Don't take the veto pledge | Herald Times Reporter | htrnews.com

Don't blame the unions for attempting to extract a promise of help, particularly considering the hit they've taken over the past year. In today's climate, it is often difficult for unions to trust politicians of any persuasion, and the attempt to pin down their positions — current or future — is understandable.

Our View: Don't take the veto pledge Herald Times Reporter htrnews.com