Blocking the Vote - NYTimes.com

"In a separate effort, Republican Party strategists have pushed many Republican-controlled statehouses to put in place constitutionally questionable voter ID laws to restrain Democratic-leaning voters."

Blocking the Vote - NYTimes.com

Fire Fighters for Obama

Floow the below link to view the :30 second video;

Fire Fighters for Obama

Van Hollen asks appeals court to stay Act 10 ruling

On behalf of Governor Scott Walker, AG Van Hollen requested the Appeals Court to render a "STAY" on Dane County Judge Coalas's decision to find elements of ACT 10 unconstitutional.

Van Hollen asks appeals court to stay Act 10 ruling

Problems at WEDC reflect poorly on GOP | Superior Telegram | Superior, Wisconsin

It’s not the first problem at WEDC. Over the summer, the Walker administration had to suspend and restart bidding for a state contract after newspapers reported WEDC offered tax credits to one of the bidders if it won the contract. That would have been illegal.

Problems at WEDC reflect poorly on GOP | Superior Telegram | Superior, Wisconsin

Lee A. Saunders: Mitt Romney's Say Anything Strategy

AFSCME President Lee Saunders writes his thoughts regarding Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney:

Lee A. Saunders: Mitt Romney's Say Anything Strategy

Milwaukee Volunteers Needed for "Wisconsin Election Protection"

Wisconsin Election Protection will be in full force on Election Day and you can help.  First if you would like to be a NON- PARTISAN Election Day Observer for Wisconsin Election Protection please sign up at through this link
http://www.lwvwi.org/VotingElections/Fall2012ElectionObserverVolunteerForm.aspx, Volunteers are needed and we have a need for observers in Milwaukee.  You will be contacted about dates and times for training in Milwaukee.

You can also help by circulating the 1-866-OUR VOTE, 1-866-687-8683 national hotline number. This number will be answered and any election related issue can and will be addressed.  Please use the number, in any community you live in for any election related problem, circulate it widely, thank you.

Join UAW President Bob King and Vote Early

In Wisconsin, voting early is legal. That right has not yet been taken away by Wisconsin Governor Walker and his GOP Leadership. Avoid the typical long waiting lines at the voting booth on election day, VOTE EARLY!

You don’t have to wait until November 6 to cast your ballot.  In-person absentee voting has begun at local municipal clerks’ offices statewide.  Get your vote in today for labor endorsed candidates including Barack Obama and Tammy Baldwin. 

After you’ve voted, join us at one of our Labor2012 volunteer locations to help working families get out the vote.  Statewide locations are listed below. 

If you are in the Milwaukee area this Saturday, October 27, join UAW President Bob King and U.S. Senate candidate Tammy Baldwin at an early vote rally at 2:00 pm at 2201 N. Martin Luther King Drive.

Races are too close to call and our grassroots ground game will make the difference on Election Day.  Grab a friend and help us educate Wisconsin voters this weekend! 

In Solidarity,

Phil Neuenfeldt, President
Stephanie Bloomingdale, Secretary-Treasurer

Statewide Canvass Information for the Weekend of October 27th & 28th

Milwaukee, Waukesha, Washington & Ozaukee County
Office: Milwaukee Area Labor Council: 633 S. Hawley Road, Milwaukee, WI 53214 Contact: Jocelyn Woodards - 414-520-0344; jwoodards@aflcio.org
Canvass Schedule: •    Saturday, October 27: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.; 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.; 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
•    Sunday, October 28: 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Office: Wisconsin State AFL-CIO: 6333 W. Bluemound Road, Milwaukee, WI 53213
Contact: Chris Czubkowski - 414-573-2170
Phone Bank Schedule:
•    Saturday, October 27: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.; 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.; 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
•    Sunday, October 28: 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Racine, Kenosha, Walworth & Rock County
Office: Racine Labor Temple: 1840 Sycamore Avenue, Racine, WI 53406
Contact: Justin Geiger - 414-745-4177; jgeiger@wisaflcio.org
Canvass Schedule:
•    Saturday, October 27: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.; 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.; 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
•    Sunday, October 28: 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Office: UAW Local 72: 3615 Washington Road, Kenosha, WI 53144
Contact: Carol Edelson - 202-320-1410; Cedelson@aflcio.org
Canvass Schedule: •    Saturday, October 27: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.; 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.; 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
•    Sunday, October 28: 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Office: Janesville Labor Temple: 1605 Center Avenue, Janesville, WI 53546
Contact: John Grier - 570-540-0836; jgrier@seiu32bj.org
Canvass Schedule:
•    Saturday, October 27: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.; 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.;  3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
•    Sunday, October 28: 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Dane, Dodge, Jefferson, Green, Columbia, Richland, Sauk, Grant, Iowa, & Lafeyette County
Office: Madison Labor Temple: 1602 S. Park Street, Madison, WI 53715
Contact: Greg Neil - 608-556-9521; gneil@wisaflcio.org
Canvass Schedule: •    Saturday, October 27: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.; 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.; 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
•    Sunday, October 28: 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Phone Bank Schedule:
•    Saturday, October 27: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.; 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.; 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
•    Sunday, October 28: 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Office: 258 Barstow Street, Horicon, WI 53032
Contact: Melissa Austin - 608-347-5320; melissa@scfl.org
Canvass Schedule: •    Saturday, October 27: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. & 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Eau Claire, Chippewa, Clark, Barron, Polk, St. Croix, Dunn, Pierce, Pepin, Buffalo, Trempeleau, Jackson, La Crosse, Monroe, Vernon & Crawford County
Office: Eau Claire Labor Temple: 2233 Birch Street, Eau Claire, WI 54703
Contact: Andy Thompson - 715-831-3353; athompson@wisaflcio.org
Canvass Schedule: •    Saturday, October 27: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.; 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.; 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
•    Sunday, October 28: 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Office: IAMAW District 66: 1307 Market Street, La Crosse, WI 54601
Contact: Armando Monterrosa - 646-339-6436; amonteerosa@seiu32bj.org
Canvass Schedule:
•    Saturday, October 27: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.; 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.; 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
•    Sunday, October 28: 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Marathon, Wood, Portage, Juneau, Adams, Marquette, Waushara, Waupaca, Shawano, Menominee, Taylor, Lincoln, Langlade, Oneida, Forest, Vilas & Florence County
Office: Wausau Labor Temple: 318 S. 3rd Avenue, Wausau, WI 54401
Contact: Scott Wright - 920-450-2121; swright@wisaflcio.org
Canvass Schedule: •    Saturday, October 27: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.; 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.; 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
•    Sunday, October 28: 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Office: Laborers Hall: 220 Johnson Street, Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54495
Contact: Scott Wright - 920-450-2121; swright@wisaflcio.org
•    Saturday, October 27: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.; 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.; 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Brown, Kewaunee, Door, Manitowoc, Sheboygan, Fond du Lac, Green Lake, Winnebago, Outagamie, Oconto, Marinette & Calumet County
Office: Green Bay Labor Temple: 1570 Elizabeth Street, Green Bay, WI 54302
Contact: Meredith Place - 202-425-2791; place@nalc.org
Canvass Schedule: •    Saturday, October 27: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.; 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.; 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
•    Sunday, October 28: 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Office: USW District 2: 1244A Midway Road, Menasha, WI 54952
Contact: Meredith Place - 202-425-2791; place@nalc.org
Canvass Schedule: •    Saturday, October 27: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.; 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.; 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
•    Sunday, October 28: 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Office: Fond du Lac Labor: 50 E. Bank Street, Fond du Lac, WI 54935
Contact: Greg Hinds - 920-540-2309; ghinds@wisaflcio.org
Canvass Schedule: •    Saturday, October 27: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.; 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.; 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
•    Sunday, October 28: 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Office: Winnebago Labor Temple: 2211 Oregon St. #A3, Oshkosh, WI
Contact: Greg Hinds - 920-540-2309; ghinds@wisaflcio.org
Canvass Schedule: •    Saturday, October 27: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.; 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.; 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
•    Sunday, October 28: 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Office: American Veteran's Building: 4310 Conroe St., Manitowoc, WI
Contact: Greg Hinds - 920-540-2309; ghinds@wisaflcio.org
•    Saturday, October 28: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Douglas, Bayfield & Ashland Counties
Office: ILA Local 1037 Union Hall; 424 Tower Avenue, Superior, WI 54880 Contact: Judy Hack - 218-391-6116
Canvass & Phone Schedule: •    Saturday, October 27: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. & 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

WisPolitics Election Blog: Obama to campaign Tuesday in Green Bay

As more details are learned, more details will be shared.

WisPolitics Election Blog: Obama to campaign Tuesday in Green Bay

Important Message from AFSCME Council 24

From: Council 24 UIN <council24uin@wseu-24.org>
Sent: Thursday, October 25, 2012 10:49 AM
Subject: UIN Message

About November 6th…

There’s a saying in our movement that the most important contract negotiation is the next one. Every few years, we have the opportunity to make important improvements in our working conditions and protect hard won achievements. It is never easy, and the threats of concessions and rollbacks are always real. Regardless, we always fight for the best we can achieve. This year will be that kind of year, not just for us, but for the whole country. The November elections are our chance to make important improvements in the lives of middle class Americans and to protect the hard won achievements that our parents and grandparents made. But this won’t be easy.

Mitt Romney, Paul Ryan and U.S. Senate candidate Tommy Thompson want more concessions and rollbacks for America’s middle class. Their proposed budget would end Medicare and privatize Social Security, completely jeopardizing the security of our retirements and putting us at risk. They also have a tax plan that would give the wealthiest few continued tax breaks, but pay for them with increased taxes and costs to middle class families like ours. As if increasing the financial burden on working families wasn’t bad enough, they threaten our ability to make a living. Mitt Romney showed his true colors when he proclaimed “Let Detroit go bankrupt!” His willingness to sacrifice the American auto industry says so much about his careless, heartless vision for our country. It is really no surprise that he earned the title of “pioneer of outsourcing” for his work as CEO of Bain Capital. Mitt Romney only cares about CEO profits, not the common good.

Fortunately, we have a choice this year. We can re-elect President Obama and elect Tammy Baldwin to the U.S. Senate. President Obama proved he was on our side when he reinvested to save the American auto industry, protected Medicare and Social Security, and supported common-sense tax policies to make the wealthiest few pay their fair share. We have to rebuild the middle class and restore balance to our economy, but to do that we need to elect leaders who will put working families first. This year, the choice could not be any clearer. How you vote is your decision, but your union endorses President Obama and Tammy Baldwin for the U.S. Senate. In addition, a full list of other endorsed candidates can be found in your latest edition of “AFSCME Reports”.

Early voting is open in Wisconsin now through November 2nd. PLEASE remember to vote – by casting your early ballot (on or before 11/2/12) or on election day, November 6th.

Solidarity!

Center on Budget and Policy Priorities | Where Do Our Federal Tax Dollars Go? Just Watch.

We thought you may be interested in a simplified explanation by a non-partisan organization as to where our federal dollars are spent. We hope you will have the time to watch this 5 minute video steamed to your favorite browser.

Off the Charts Blog | Center on Budget and Policy Priorities | Where Do Our Federal Tax Dollars Go? Just Watch.

State spending jumps in recession; local spending flatlines | Superior Telegram | Superior, Wisconsin

State spending jumps in recession; local spending flatlines | Superior Telegram | Superior, Wisconsin

Here is an interesting thought... Wisconsin's spending has risen because Governor Walker "robbed" from the PUBLIC EMPLOYEES and gave to the RICH. Think now... Where else did Governor Walker come up with the money to spend? He certainly DID NOT hold the RICH to paying their "fair share" for state services, he did not take their money, at least not on behalf of the State of Wisconsin, but I guess we have to remember he that he took millions of dollars from the RICH to push back against the Working Families of Wisconsin who attempted to recall him from office.

Governor Walker will be quick to also void anserwing questions regarding INCREASED state spending, but will predictingly point toward his ability to place surplus state revenue into a "Rainy Day" fund. A "Rainy Day" fund is a good protection for taxpayers so long as the money is used for the benefit of ALL taxpayers. It is a reasonable belief that he will use that "Rainy Day" fund (formally public employee wages and benefits) to pay for projects and initiatives that provide for increased profits for corporations and of course less tax liability for the RICH. It is almost certain, with the known mind set of Governor Walker the money will not be used for the middle class or the less-fortunate in Wisconsin.

AFSCME | America’s Workers Fed Up With Romney’s Say Anything Strategy

AFSCME | America’s Workers Fed Up With Romney’s Say Anything Strategy

…. Across the country, many of her AFSCME sisters and brothers find themselves in agreement on this point. Whether they’re Democrats or Republicans. Whether they’re voting based on the economy, or women’s rights, or national security. In conversations with members across the country – many in states considered crucial for a Presidential victory – they’re unified in opposition to Romney because of his troubling tendency to say whatever he thinks his current audience wants to hear. Whether he really means it or not.

Romney’s 9-Point Plan to Annihilate Unions -- In These Times

…. Labor leaders have painted a stark picture of what might lie ahead should Romney win. “A worker voting for Mitt Romney is like a chicken voting for Colonel Sanders,” Richard Trumka told Working In These Times during an AFL-CIO rally in August. Romney wants to “annihilate organized labor as we know it," Teamsters President James Hoffa said in September.  Overheated rhetoric is a hallmark of every campaign season. But the GOP’s and Romney’s positions on labor and collective bargaining—from support for a federal union-weakening “right-to-work” law to eliminating most public-sector bargaining rights—are genuinely to the right of where they were even four years ago. With unions now accounting for less than 12 percent of the workforce (down from 36 percent in the 1950s), it is now possible to imagine a country devoid of labor power, replaced by a corporate vision of “employee empowerment and workplace flexibility,” as the GOP 2012 platform puts it. …. Nevertheless, two data points suggest how badly Romney's anti-union agenda would shrink the size and scope of America's unions. First: Since the anti-union law went into effect in Wisconsin, AFSCME's membership has since fallen by more than 50 percent in the state.

Romney’s 9-Point Plan to Annihilate Unions -- In These Times

Wisconsin AFSCME Leadership Academy Training

AFSCME Council's 24, 40 & 48 are pleased to announce that Wisconsin AFSCME is offering another WALA (Wisconsin AFSCME Leadership Academy) training this year. WALA is a two-day, state of the art training designed by the AFSCME International Education Department to help Wisconsin AFSCME local union leaders build power, involve members, strategize, and develop leadership skills needed to advance and protect members' in 2012 and beyond. In the Post Act 10 environment this is HOW WE WIN! There is NO COST to participate in this training. Thanks to a generous grant from AFSCME International, lodging, meals and materials will be provided by the Wisconsin AFSCME Leadership Academy.

This training will be held on Friday, November 30th beginning at 5:00pm and continuing all day on Saturday, December 1st. This WALA training will be conducted at the Marriott Hotel, 7111 Washington Ave., Racine, WI. This training is open to ALL AFSCME local union's of Council's 24, 40 & 48.

ALL local union's who will be sending representatives to the WALA training must submit the completed WALA Commitment and Registration forms by Friday, November 16th. The forms can be mailed to; Wisconsin AFSCME Leadership Academy, 8033 Excelsior Dr., Suite A, Madison, WI 53717, by fax; (608) 836-3333 or by email; wala@afscme.org. Please contact AFSCME International at (608) 836-6666 or your respective AFSCME Council with any questions and to obtain the commitment and registration forms.

DO NOT let this great learning opportunity pass you by. Identify your local union leadership willing to participate, make the commitment and register before November 16th.

Public Pensions

From: Lee Saunders [mailto:LSaunders@afscme.org]
Sent: Tuesday, October 23, 2012 1:08 PM
To: AFSCME Leadership
Subject: Public Pensions

As you know, the right wing spin machine is continuing its relentless assault on the public pension system.  On Saturday, The Washington Post ran an op-ed from two of the most notorious pension alarmists, Professors Joshua Rauh and Robert Novy-Marx. For the past three years, Rauh and Novy-Marx have sought attention for themselves by grossly distorting the liabilities of public pension systems.  Instead, of analyzing the condition of pension funds based on the true accrued liability, these academics choose a methodology that inflates pension costs far beyond their true costs.  Unfortunately, many members of the mainstream media, and far too many editorial page writers, repeat these flawed claims.

Noted economist Dean Baker authored a particularly effective response to the Rauh propaganda.  I wanted to share both Rauh’s claim and Dean Baker’s response with you to facilitate your understanding of the highly technical issues involved and to assist your efforts at responding to critics in your own state.

The Rauh and Novy-Marx claims:  

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/the-looming-shortfall-in-public-pension-costs/2012/10/19/5b394cdc-0ced-11e2-bd1a-b868e65d57eb_story.html

The Baker response:

http://www.businessinsider.com/the-washington-post-tries-to-scare-you-on-public-sector-pensions-2012-10

I hope you find this information useful.  If you need any assistance, please feel to contact Steven Kreisberg at skreisberg@afscme.org or (202)429-1237.

-----

Lee A. Saunders

President

AFSCME

(202) 429-1100

(202) 429-1102 (fax)

lsaunders@afscme.org 

UW-Madison Takes the Low Road in Overhauling Employment Policies | The Progressive

Last year Governor Scott Walker told billionaire Diane Hendricks that the first step toward turning Wisconsin into a right-to-work state was to destroy collective bargaining rights for public workers.

UW-Madison Takes the Low Road in Overhauling Employment Policies | The Progressive

We Can't Go Backwards

After President Obama’s victory in the final Presidential debate, working families in Wisconsin have no doubts about the stark differences between the President's plan to keep our nation secure and strengthen our economy for all families, and Mitt Romney's plan to go backward to the foreign policy of the 1980s, the social policy of the 1950s, and the economy policy of the 1920s.

This November we face a clear choice about the direction of our country.

Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan believe in the same failed policies that hollowed out the middle class and destroyed our economy. They’re advocating for the kinds of policies perfected by companies like Romney’s Bain Capital that offshored jobs, shuttered companies and created massive wealth for a few at the expense of working families. Their proposals would lower the incomes of average Americans, increase unemployment and foreclosures, undermine Medicare and Social Security, cut taxes for the richest people and widen income inequality.

Four years ago working families chose a different direction—we chose to stand for fairness, a voice for all at work and in our economy, shared prosperity and opportunity for all.

Wisconsin AFL-CIO working families are deeply committed to re-electing President Obama and Vice President Biden to continue the change we started. We’re committed to strengthening majorities who will stand with working people in the Senate by electing Tammy Baldwin and fighting to elect pro-worker candidates in the House and state Legislatures.

We have less than two weeks to do all that we can in this election. Stop in at one of our many statewide volunteer locations today and help get out the vote for working families! Click on the below link or highlight, copy and past the link into favorite browser to learn more about how you can help

http://act.aflcio.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=iGMdJ8uI9%2BwEbItiMkYXFJYF3j13iCEG

In Solidarity,

Phil Neuenfeldt, President
Stephanie Bloomingdale, Secretary-Treasurer

Judge Strikes Down Governor Walker's Request to Stay the Order Striking Down Portions of ACT 10

Dane County District Judge Juan Colas this afternoon rejected the state of Wisconsin's request to put on hold his earlier ruling striking down large portions of Act 10.

http://view.email.nea.org/?j=fec010797d6d057d&m=fe951570726c057871&ls=fe2411717165047a7c1c78&l=fef81576726001&s=fe65167371640d7b7415&jb=ffce15&ju=fe941c7475600d7f75&r=0

Confirmation That the Voters Made the Right Choice In Jess King

The majority of voters in Senate District 18 certainly made the right choice in voting out Randy Hopper and electing Jess King to represent them in Madison.

Follow the below link to read a very brief news release from the Fond du Lac County Sheriff's Department with regards to Randy Hopper's post state senate service conduct.

http://app.blastnewsletters.com/link.php?M=56740&N=6606&L=144442&F=H

Wisconsin Labor Leader Issues Statement Regarding Misleading Political Ad by the WMC

Contact Lyle Balistreri: 414-475-5580

WMC Runs Misleading Ad in Green Bay, Fox Cities

The following statement is from Lyle Balistreri, President of the Milwaukee Building and Construction Council. 

It is unfortunate that these comments were taken out of context.   Politicians need to put aside partisan politics and do what voters elected them to do -- create jobs.   Few industries have been hit harder by the Great Recession than the building and construction trades and as President of the Milwaukee Building and Construction Trades Council, I fight every day in every way for the working men and women of this state. I support Jessica King and know she will put working Wisconsinites first.  Wisconsinites are tired of the same old partisan politics, we need to put our differences aside and create jobs.

###

Wisconsin Voter Information

Follow the below link for a "non-partisan" resource on how you can vote in Wisconsin. This will include information on the "Early Voting" process in Wisconsin.

The below link will take you to the Government Accountability Board in Wisconsin.

Wisconsin Voter Information

Early Voting — Wisconsin — GottaVote

Early Voting starts today, October 22nd. We urge you to early vote in the possible event your employer does not release you from work to vote on Tuesday, November 6th or some unforseen event occurs on Tuesday, November 6th that prevents you from voting.

Early Voting — Wisconsin — GottaVote