Election Set for Recall of Wisconsin's Governor | FOX 21 Online

AP MADISON - Democrats oppose a timeline that would put any primary for Gov. Scott Walker's recall election on May 15 with the general election on June 12. Those dates were recommended Friday by the head of the state elections board.



Election Set for Recall of Wisconsin's Governor | FOX 21 Online

Walker: No public money for my John Doe lawyers

Gov. Scott Walker says he's not using public money to pay for the attorneys representing him in connection with a Milwaukee County investigation of several former aides and associates.

Walker: No public money for my John Doe lawyers

WisPolitics.com: WisPolitics: Thousands rally at the Capitol on anniversary of collective bargaining changes

Dems and labor unions commemorated the one-year anniversary of Gov. Scott Walker’s collective bargaining changes Saturday by urging thousands who gathered at the state Capitol to recall the guv and flip control of the state Senate in expected recall elections.


WisPolitics.com: WisPolitics: Thousands rally at the Capitol on anniversary of collective bargaining changes

We Are Wisconsin » Reclaim Wisconsin Rally

Walker dropped the bomb and we responded with the biggest citizen uprising in state history.

On Saturday at 1 p.m. we’ll gather again at the state Capitol for a Reclaim Wisconsin Rally.

We rallied in the snow. We rallied in the rain. We’ve been relentless.

And now, one year later, we need to remind the world that we have not gone away.

In fact, we have grown into a movement with more than 1 million members who have put their names on the line.

We will not forget the assault on our values. We will not be quiet.

We will reclaim our state.

On Saturday at 1 p.m. we’ll gather again at the state Capitol for a Reclaim Wisconsin Rally.

Please join us as we mark the one-year anniversary of Walker’s legislative minions ramming through his union-busting bill.

This time, we don’t expect snow or rain. It will be a beautiful day.

We Are Wisconsin » Reclaim Wisconsin Rally

Scott Walker Continues to Take Money from the People

Okay, this time he may be "asking" the people, but it is certain he will have a doozy of a sales pitch to get the people to cough it up.

Gov. Scott Walker announced today he is creating a legal defense fund to cover his legal costs associated with an ongoing John Doe probe that has resulted in charges filed against former aides from his time as Milwaukee County executive.

Message from the Union Information Network‬‪

Last Call for Scholarship Applications*‬‪‬‪

Scholarship applications must to be postmarked by Thursday, March 15, 2012.  There is still time to apply, but completed applications would need to be dropped off in our office to make sure they are received before the deadline.‬‪

Bowling Tournament – April 27 & 28, 2012‬‪‬‪

At the annual Jim Boyd Memorial Scholarship Bowling Tournament, which raises funds for our scholarship program, we still have room on the Friday 4:30 and 10:30 shifts and  1:00 pm, 4:30 pm and 7:30 pm shifts for Saturday bowling.‬‪ For more info on either of the above, contact Shannon at slinde@wseu-24.org.‬‪*This is a members-only benefit.  To sign-up for membership, visit our websites:  www.wseu-24.org; www.wseu-sepac.org.

Sent from Steven Williams BlackBerry smartphone

Capitol Report: Brett Hulsey wants to cut Scott Walker's pay

… Under a draft bill Hulsey is circulating for co-sponsors in the waning days of the legislative session -- it ends next week -- Walker’s salary of $144,423 would immediately drop by $20,000. Hulsey argues for the pay cut by saying Walker should not earn more than three times the annual salary of the average state worker, which is roughly $41,000.

Capitol Report: Brett Hulsey wants to cut Scott Walker's pay

Wisconsin Lawmaker Calls Out Corporate Front Group ALEC For Writing School Privatization Bill - Republic Report

The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) is the most powerful corporate front group you’ve never heard of … But one Wisconsin lawmaker is not content with allowing a corporate front group to secretly write his state’s laws. Rep. Mark Pocan (D) decided to join ALEC — its legislative umbrella includes nearly one-third of state legislators — and gain access to the template bills it was writing. When the legislature began to consider AB 110, which allows for special taxpayer subsidies for private schools for special needs children. Pocan took to the floor of the Wisconsin House and noted that the text of this bill that provides for a huge blanket taxpayer giveaway to the private school industry was remarkably similar to an ALEC template bill. Pocan obtained an e-mail trail of ALEC representatives to Republican staffers. These staffers then pushed for AB110. … Watch Pocan call out ALEC:

Wisconsin Lawmaker Calls Out Corporate Front Group ALEC For Writing School Privatization Bill - Republic Report

The Badger Herald: Bill would bring back union rights

As the one-year anniversary of the passage of the bill repealing most collective bargaining rights for public unions approaches, Democratic legislators are seeking to do away with the contentious law. At a press conference Thursday, Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Madison, and Sen. Fred Risser, D-Madison, introduced the Collective Bargaining Restoration Act, which would create provisions in the state statutes dealing with how unions are certified and the collection of union dues, as well as re-establishing the ability of public unions to collectively bargain. The bill would repeal the collective bargaining legislation, originally part of the budget repair bill, passed by the Republican legislature last year and signed into law by Gov. Scott Walker.

The Badger Herald: Bill would bring back union rights

Why would Koch brothers want to refine Cato Institute? - The Washington Post

…. What’s puzzling is why the Kochs started this campaign in the first place. It’s easy enough to see what they hoped to achieve: They would quietly take control of Cato and then leverage its credibility to help elect a Republican president. Unfortunately for them, the cries from inside Cato made the “quietly” part impossible. But it would have been impossible in any case: Cato’s credibility is derived from its independence; it wouldn’t last long separated from it. …. Cato is an organization that can have more than a marginal impact on elections. It can have a significant impact on policy and governance. That’s a level of influence that even the Kochs can’t buy. When two of the right wing’s most influential funders don’t recognize that, it should cheer liberals immensely.

Why would Koch brothers want to refine Cato Institute? - The Washington Post

Elections board asks clerks about recall dates

The Wisconsin state elections board is asking local election clerks for their opinions on five possible scenarios for holding recall elections against Gov. Scott Walker and five others.

Elections board asks clerks about recall dates

6,000 jobs gained since Walker took office | Stevens Point Journal | stevenspointjournal.com

Wisconsin has gained only 6,000 private-sector jobs in the 13 months since the governor took office, a sluggish economic pace that leaves the state far off the mark Walker set during his campaign.

6,000 jobs gained since Walker took office | Stevens Point Journal | stevenspointjournal.com

Legislature winding down with major work undone - JSOnline

Gov. Scott Walker and the Republican-led Legislature gained national attention for an agenda that ranged from limiting liability lawsuits for businesses to repealing most union bargaining for public employees.

Legislature winding down with major work undone - JSOnline

Voters, clerks on hold for photo ID law | Sheboygan Press | sheboyganpress.com

The law requiring voters in Wisconsin to show photo identification before casting a ballot is on hold, but the fears and concerns by voters about the law are not.

Voters, clerks on hold for photo ID law | Sheboygan Press | sheboyganpress.com

AFSCME Members Need Help

From: President McEntee &. Sec-Treas Saunders [mailto:President_SecTreasurer@afscme.org]
Sent: Tuesday, March 06, 2012 4:31 PM
To: AFSCME Leadership
Subject: AFSCME Fallen Heroes Fund

We have all seen the heartbreaking pictures of devastation after tornadoes ripped across the Midwest and South last week. The storms killed at least 39 people and caused hundreds of millions of dollars in property damage in 10 states. Alabama, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky suffered the brunt of the storms and our AFSCME members were among those who lost everything – loved ones, homes, and every possession.

Now is the time for our AFSCME family to pull together and give generously to AFSCME’s Fallen Heroes Fund, which provides immediate assistance and recovery funds to members hit hardest by natural disasters and other tragedies. After Hurricane Irene devastated the Northeast last year, the Fund aided more than 2,000 members with $270,000 contributed by AFSCME. Now our sisters and brothers in the Midwest and South need us.

AFSCME this week pledged $100,000 for the Fund, to aid tornado victims. Please join us, by going to the Fallen Heroes Fund website today and making your donation. It only takes a minute and it will change the lives of those hurting the most. They are our AFSCME family and as we have so many times before, we must have each other’s backs now.

Union-buster joins Wisconsin recall fight - Salon.com

The Wisconsin recall ad wars have a new player: the Center for Union Facts, the well-heeled union-bashing outfit founded by food and beverage super-lobbyist Rick Berman. A CUF source says the self-described “union watchdog” is spending “just over a million dollars” in Wisconsin, and “may do more in the coming weeks.”


Union-buster joins Wisconsin recall fight - Salon.com

Lawmakers unveil Hatch Act update - FederalNewsRadio.com

A group of lawmakers has proposed an update to the law governing federal employees' political activity. The Hatch Act Modernization Act of 2012, introduced by Sen. Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii) and Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.), exempts state and local employees from a ban on running for political office and would allow for a range of penalties other than automatic suspension for minor violations.


Lawmakers unveil Hatch Act update - FederalNewsRadio.com

Proposal to buy prisons raises ethical concerns – USATODAY.com

A private prison management company's proposal to buy government prison facilities, criticized for requiring states to maintain high occupancy rates, also is prompting debate about the firm's executive who circulated it. Harley Lappin, the former director of the U.S. Bureau of Prisons, made the offer to 48 prison officials across the country in a January letter on behalf of Corrections Corporation of America, less than a year after retiring from his federal post. Civil rights advocates, a state lawmaker and the chief of the federal prison employees union said Lappin's involvement with the firm's offer, so soon after leaving his high-profile government post, raises ethical concerns. ,….. As part of a proposed 20-year management agreement, the company would require governments to maintain minimum occupancy rates of 90% for the life of the management contracts.


Proposal to buy prisons raises ethical concerns – USATODAY.com

John Nichols: Falk right to focus on honesty, openness, transparency

Scott Walker is the first governor in Wisconsin history to place himself explicitly and consistently at odds with the rule of law, the state’s open meetings and open government policies and a tradition of inviting participation in the state’s electoral and governing processes by the great mass of citizens.

John Nichols: Falk right to focus on honesty, openness, transparency

State Dems file complaint against David Koch for unfair support of Gov. Walker - WTAQ News Talk 97.5FM and 1360AM

MADISON, WI (WTAQ) - Wisconsin Democrats have filed a complaint against billionaire businessman David Koch, saying he's using his tax-exempt status to help Governor Scott Walker win his expected recall election. The State Democratic Party has asked the ...

State Dems file complaint against David Koch for unfair support of Gov. Walker - WTAQ News Talk 97.5FM and 1360AM

Union authorizes strike at Maysteel; contract talks continue - JSOnline

The union representing about 300 employees at Maysteel LLC, in Allenton, has authorized a strike if current labor negotiations fail to produce a contract this week.

Union authorizes strike at Maysteel; contract talks continue - JSOnline

Monthly state pension payments to drop 7% - JSOnline

For the fourth year in a row, the Wisconsin Retirement System will reduce monthly payments to retirees invested in the system's Core Fund annuity beginning May 1.

Monthly state pension payments to drop 7% - JSOnline

Students protest cost of education | The UWM Post

UW-Milwaukee’s Education Rights Coalition held a rally on March 1, in recognition of the National Day of Action for Education Rights. The ERC is mostly made up of members from the Students for a Democratic Society, Milwaukee Graduate Assistants Association and AFSCME.

Students protest cost of education The UWM Post

Madison Politiscope: Emerge Wisconsin wants to put more women in elected office

…. Like many other progressive officeholders in the area, Sargent was offered help and training by Emerge Wisconsin, an organization that encourages women to run for office. Over the past six months, Sargent and two dozen other women spent one weekend per month learning the ins and outs of campaigning, from campaign finance to public speaking and new media.

Madison Politiscope: Emerge Wisconsin wants to put more women in elected office

Get ALEC supporters out of office | Faribault Daily News: News, sports, entertainment and advertising from Faribault, Rice County, Minnesota

The American Legislative Exchange Council has every right to exist and claim as a member whomever it chooses. But as voters, we should remove from office any politician who pushes legislation that is part of ALEC’s agenda.

Get ALEC supporters out of office Faribault Daily News: News, sports, entertainment and advertising from Faribault, Rice County, Minnesota

Members face devastation from Harrisburg tornado - AFSCME Council 31

The tornado that smashed into Harrisburg on Wed. Feb. 29 left devastation for many in its path, including AFSCME members who work at the Illinois Youth Center there.

Members face devastation from Harrisburg tornado - AFSCME Council 31

AFSCME | AFSCME Families Among Tornado Victims

A tornado devastated towns and cities across Missouri, Illinois and Indiana this week. It swept through Harrisburg, Ill., killing six, flattening entire neighborhoods, and destroying buildings. Among those killed in Harrisburg was the aunt of an AFSCME Council 31 member who works at the Illinois Youth Center. The storm destroyed at least three members’ homes. Local union leaders from the Pinckneyville, Tamms and Vienna correctional centers are assisting with rescue and clean-up and Council 31 staff is involved in recovery planning.

AFSCME AFSCME Families Among Tornado Victims

Breaking: Video of Walker One Week Before Election Promising to Negotiate With Unions | Uppity Wisconsin

Editorial Board Member: Before, we were talking about state employees contributing to their plan, paying their share of the pension plarn. Collective bargaining come into that?
Walker: Yep (nodding yes)

Editorial Board Member: How do you get that negotiated and accepted by the state employee unions?
Walker: You still have to negotiate it. I did that at the county as well.

Breaking: Video of Walker One Week Before Election Promising to Negotiate With Unions Uppity Wisconsin