From: Gregory King [mailto:GKing@afscme.org]
Sent: Saturday, April 02, 2011 10:19 AM
To: Gregory King
Subject: Column by Pres. McEntee and Cong. John Lewis in today's Memphis Commercial Appeal
American middle class is against a wall
By John Lewis and Gerald McEntee, Special to Viewpoint
Saturday, April 2, 2011
We are witnessing a frontal assault on the American way of life, and the prime target is the hard-working American family.
Seven young protesters arrested in Nashville last month recognized how much is at stake, and they did not hesitate to stand up for the rights of working people. Their civil disobedience brings to mind another fight for civil rights: the strike by the 1,300 sanitation workers of AFSCME Local 1733, whose courageous actions gained national attention and brought the intervention of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968.
Today, just as in 1968, we are living through a time of fundamental change. While Americans realize we must shift domestically to confront transformations in the world economy, we must not abandon our fundamental commitment to fairness in the process.
American workers -- like city of Memphis and school system employees, laid-off Toshiba and Bridgestone factory workers in Middle Tennessee, both union and non-union employees -- have made concessions to the troubled economy.
Memphis Mayor A C Wharton has raised the possibility of one-day-a-month furloughs, layoffs of as many as 1,400 workers, early retirements and reduced pensions to balance the city's budget. Many employees in other cities now work four-day weeks. Others have accepted higher health insurance payments, taken pennies on the dollar for their investments after corporate bankruptcies, and work today for less pay than in decades before.
In fact, the incomes of working Americans have stagnated for at least a generation. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that employees are making less in wages than they were in the 1970s, after adjusting for inflation.
Working Americans have already sacrificed to salvage big business and respond to the decline in state and city revenue, but to what end? Yes, there are mounting deficits and some spending must be cut, but equitable solutions are needed to balance their sacrifice.
A recent New York Times article described the skill of giant corporations in avoiding taxes, like General Electric, which recorded $14.2 billion in profit worldwide in 2010 and $5.1 billion in America. GE will not pay one cent in taxes this year, and in fact will get a nice fat refund of $3.2 billion.
In the third quarter of 2010, corporate profits overall topped $1.6 trillion, the highest figure recorded since the government began keeping track 60 years ago, and corporate executives make four to eight times more today than they made in the 20th century.
If corporate revenues are higher than ever before, why are governments suffering? Because tax cuts and loopholes have allowed corporate citizens and a few Americans to pay less than their fair share.
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker began his term by freeing some businesses from any tax burden and erasing the civic obligation of others. His total tax cut package adds a projected $117 million to the state's budget deficit over two years.
Now, he and other governors are looking to cut the lifelines of the most vulnerable as a "painful sacrifice" to balance budgets. It is the sick, the elderly, the disabled, schoolchildren, veterans and orphans who will pay. Regardless of the suffering these cuts will unleash, government executives are unwilling to close loopholes and repeal some tax cuts for the wealthiest few.
If GE received only half the tax refund it is due this year, could the $1.6 billion in savings help preserve government lifelines and relieve a few of the burdens on struggling American families? No one is asking that question.
In 1968, the sanitation workers of this city were also up against a wall. They were paid so poorly that many of them qualified for and received public assistance. This, coupled with unsafe working conditions, led to the deaths of several workers and pushed them to march in Memphis streets holding signs that said "I AM A MAN."
Working people today are defending more than their rights today. They are defending their human dignity. In Wisconsin, Indiana, Florida, Ohio and here in Tennessee, they are saying we are more than numbers on a worksheet, the blight of government programs or impediments to a profit margin. We are this nation's greatest resource.
In recent months, a broad constituency has emerged committed to stand up for middle-class families. As we commemorate on Monday the assassination of King, we must never forget that he died in Memphis defending the collective bargaining rights of AFSCME sanitation workers.
He fought to build a nation in which working people have an equal voice at the negotiating table, and everyone has a shared responsibility to contribute to the welfare of our society that neither wealth nor power can silence.
John Lewis is the U.S. representative for the 5th District of Georgia. Gerald McEntee is the international president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME).
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Friday, April 1, 2011
Judge Sumi's TRO Remains in Effect
Judge Sumi's temporary restraining order against the implementation of the collective bargaining bill will remain in effect indefinitely.
Today, Dane County District Attorney Ismael Ozanne, plaintiff in the case of the Open Meetings Law violation, rested his side of the case today.
Jusdge Sumi cannot continue testimony because the defendant's in the case, state legislators, have not waived their immunity from prosecution because of their status as legislators in-session.
This continues to mean that Wisconsin Act 10 has not been published and is not law.
Today, Dane County District Attorney Ismael Ozanne, plaintiff in the case of the Open Meetings Law violation, rested his side of the case today.
Jusdge Sumi cannot continue testimony because the defendant's in the case, state legislators, have not waived their immunity from prosecution because of their status as legislators in-session.
This continues to mean that Wisconsin Act 10 has not been published and is not law.
Hearing on the Open Meetings law violation continues
Judge Maryann Sumi has indicated it is unlikely that the testimony in todays court hearing surrounding the open meetings law violation will finish today. The hearing was to have resumed at 1:30pm.
Analysis: Budget would balance without collective bargaining law
Bill expected to be taken up on Tuesday
Updated: Friday, 01 Apr 2011, 10:58 AM CDT
Published : Friday, 01 Apr 2011, 10:58 AM CDT
MADISON (AP) - A new analysis shows that as long as lawmakers approve a budget fix bill proposed by Gov. Scott Walker the state's budget would be balanced even if the collective bargaining law currently on hold doesn't take effect.
The nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau analysis released Friday shows that the bill expected to be passed Tuesday would balance the budget currently projected to be $137 million short by July 1.
The collective bargaining law currently in limbo would save the state about $30 million through higher state worker benefit contributions.
But the Fiscal Bureau analysis shows even if that law doesn't take effect before July, the budget would balance as long as the other measure passes.
Democrats have indicated they support the other budget bill up on Tuesday.
Updated: Friday, 01 Apr 2011, 10:58 AM CDT
Published : Friday, 01 Apr 2011, 10:58 AM CDT
MADISON (AP) - A new analysis shows that as long as lawmakers approve a budget fix bill proposed by Gov. Scott Walker the state's budget would be balanced even if the collective bargaining law currently on hold doesn't take effect.
The nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau analysis released Friday shows that the bill expected to be passed Tuesday would balance the budget currently projected to be $137 million short by July 1.
The collective bargaining law currently in limbo would save the state about $30 million through higher state worker benefit contributions.
But the Fiscal Bureau analysis shows even if that law doesn't take effect before July, the budget would balance as long as the other measure passes.
Democrats have indicated they support the other budget bill up on Tuesday.
Important Message from Director Beil
The Supreme Court election on Tuesday, April 5 will be the first opportunity for us to experience a meaningful victory in this ongoing fight with Scott Walker and his right wing regime. It is absolutely clear, both in statements and actions, that the current sitting Supreme Court Justice sees himself as a judicial tool of the Walker Administration. The fight that we are in isn’t necessarily a fair fight, but it becomes even worse when the State Supreme Court is tilted to support the governor’s conservative ideology. Much of our struggle has been and will continue to be in the courts. We need to depend on a fair, impartial court to make final decisions as to the rule of the law, and whether the budget repair bill, the budget itself, or any other legislation presented by the Walker Administration violate the state constitution.
It’s unfortunate that in the fall of 2010, many Wisconsin voters opted not to cast their votes. The result of not casting votes is our reality today – Scott Walker as governor and both legislative houses solidly entrenched in right-wing tea party mentalities.
The first lesson to be learned is that we can never let that happen again. We cannot allow our families, friends, coworkers, partners, neighbors and acquaintances to sit on the sidelines. We must all go the extra distance over the next few days to make absolutely sure that there is a strong vote on Tuesday, April 5.
The election of Joanne Kloppenburg on Tuesday will send an earthquake through the Republican establishment from the governor’s office to the legislature to the Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce. There is no question that Prosser and Walker are hooked together by a right wing umbilical cord. Joanne Kloppenburg brings a fresh, new and fair balance to the Supreme Court.
We are angry; we are concerned; we are fearful. Some of us are at wits end. We need to take these emotions and turn them into action by electing Joanne Kloppenburg to the Supreme Court on Tuesday, 4/5.
This is your way to send a message that Scott Walker cannot trample on your rights, your equality, your family and your way of life.
VOTE KLOPPENBURG FOR SUPREME COURT ON TUESDAY, 4/5/11
It’s unfortunate that in the fall of 2010, many Wisconsin voters opted not to cast their votes. The result of not casting votes is our reality today – Scott Walker as governor and both legislative houses solidly entrenched in right-wing tea party mentalities.
The first lesson to be learned is that we can never let that happen again. We cannot allow our families, friends, coworkers, partners, neighbors and acquaintances to sit on the sidelines. We must all go the extra distance over the next few days to make absolutely sure that there is a strong vote on Tuesday, April 5.
The election of Joanne Kloppenburg on Tuesday will send an earthquake through the Republican establishment from the governor’s office to the legislature to the Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce. There is no question that Prosser and Walker are hooked together by a right wing umbilical cord. Joanne Kloppenburg brings a fresh, new and fair balance to the Supreme Court.
We are angry; we are concerned; we are fearful. Some of us are at wits end. We need to take these emotions and turn them into action by electing Joanne Kloppenburg to the Supreme Court on Tuesday, 4/5.
This is your way to send a message that Scott Walker cannot trample on your rights, your equality, your family and your way of life.
VOTE KLOPPENBURG FOR SUPREME COURT ON TUESDAY, 4/5/11
GOP pressing ahead with union law
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin’s Republican leaders appear to be taking the same confident and bullish approach to implementing their divisive collective bargaining law that they took to passing it, suggesting they may ignore a judge’s warning that there would be consequences to moving ahead while challenges to the law are pending.
Gov. Scott Walker and his allies in the Republican-controlled Legislature believe they are on solid legal ground as they push forth on a course that could deepen an already toxic crisis in the state’s government.
Read the news story in its entirety >>>
Gov. Scott Walker and his allies in the Republican-controlled Legislature believe they are on solid legal ground as they push forth on a course that could deepen an already toxic crisis in the state’s government.
Read the news story in its entirety >>>
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Oakland, CA Musicians Compile a Song for Wisconsin Workers'
Thank you "Glasshouse Music" for compiling this music video for the workers' of Wisconsin.
Watch and listen to this musice video, it is outstanding...
Watch and listen to this musice video, it is outstanding...
Sumi rules that union law not in effect; state to comply
Madison — A state law to sharply curb union bargaining by public employees is not in effect, a Dane County judge ruled Thursday, continuing the turmoil over a measure that sparked massive protests and prompted Democrats to boycott the Senate for three weeks.
Gov. Scott Walker's administration said it would comply and discontinue the implementation of the law.
"Based on the briefs of counsel, the uncontroverted testimony, and the evidence received at the March 29, 2011, evidentiary hearing, it is hereby DECLARED that 2011 Wisconsin Act 10 has not been published within the meaning of (state statutes), and is therefore not in effect," Dane County Circuit Judge Maryann Sumi ruled in a two-paragraph order.
Read the news story in its entirety >>>
Gov. Scott Walker's administration said it would comply and discontinue the implementation of the law.
"Based on the briefs of counsel, the uncontroverted testimony, and the evidence received at the March 29, 2011, evidentiary hearing, it is hereby DECLARED that 2011 Wisconsin Act 10 has not been published within the meaning of (state statutes), and is therefore not in effect," Dane County Circuit Judge Maryann Sumi ruled in a two-paragraph order.
Read the news story in its entirety >>>
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
State mum on implementation of union bargaining law
Madison - Gov. Scott Walker's administration wasn't saying Wednesday whether it will continue to implement legislation sharply curbing union bargaining by public employees...
Read the entire news story >>>
Read the entire news story >>>
Sen. Fitzgerald leaned on bureau staffers to publish law, testimony suggests
Clcik on "share" to read the story in its entirety.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
