Why I'm Fighting in Wisconsin (Scott Walker)

WSJ ^ | 3/10/2011 | SCOTT WALKER

[SonOfDarkSkies]

In 2010, Megan Sampson was named an Outstanding First Year Teacher in Wisconsin. A week later, she got a layoff notice from the Milwaukee Public Schools. Why would one of the best new teachers in the state be one of the first let go? Because her collective-bargaining contract requires staffing decisions to be made based on seniority.

Ms. Sampson got a layoff notice because the union leadership would not accept reasonable changes to their contract. Instead, they hid behind a collective-bargaining agreement that costs the taxpayers $101,091 per year for each teacher, protects a 0% contribution for health-insurance premiums, and forces schools to hire and fire based on seniority and union rules.

My state's budget-repair bill, which passed the Assembly on Feb. 25 and awaits a vote in the Senate, reforms this union-controlled hiring and firing process by allowing school districts to assign staff based on merit and performance. That keeps great teachers like Ms. Sampson in the classroom.

Most states in the country are facing a major budget deficit. Many are cutting billions of dollars of aid to schools and local governments. These cuts lead to massive layoffs or increases in property taxes—or both.

In Wisconsin, we have a better approach to tackling our $3.6 billion deficit. We are reforming the way government works, as well as balancing our budget. Our reform plan gives state and local governments the tools to balance the budget through reasonable benefit contributions. In total, our budget-repair bill saves local governments almost $1.5 billion, outweighing the reductions in state aid in our budget.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

BUMP! Beat me by a minute, LOL! :)

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Wisconsin Conservative Politics Ping List Ping!

[Walkingfeather]

On task, on message, unwavering.

[paratrooper82]

. . . and Thank God you are fighting in WI Governor Walker, the future of our Republic is at stake and these Union thug bullies, need a good ole fashion spanking in the nearest woodshed!

THANK YOU FOR STANDING UP TO THESE THUGS AND REPRESENTING THE PEOPLE’S WILL!

[defal33]

COURAGE!

Please stay safe Gov. Walker and Republican party...you are making history.

[thesearethetimes...]

Please take moment to call this fine man and Thank him. Send this to your friends/email list. He needs to know that we are with him.

Email
govgeneral@wisconsin.gov

Mail
Office of Governor Scott Walker
115 East Capitol
Madison WI 53702

Phone
(608) 266-1212

[paratrooper82]

All ready sent a email of THANK YOU to Governor Walker!

Thanks!

[Logic n' Reason]

Those of us now lucky enough to live here in WI trusted our new governor, and the republican legislature to get done what has - for over 50 years - needed to be done.

Last nite (Wednesday, March 9th), the republicans stripped out of the budget repair bill all funding issues and then passed the rest.

Today, the republican assembly will pass the same bill and forward it to the Governor's desk for signature.

A new day (today or tomorrow) will dawn here in WI when he signs the bill. NO MORE STATE EMPLOYEE UNIONS!!!!! (well, there will be unions so to speak, but with little bargaining power)

And the wonderful teacher mentioned in Governor Walker's statement can come back to teaching here in WI...and given her excellence...most assuredly will make more than before. Moreover, she'll receive an immediate 10% to 12% raise the day she hires on - no more forced union dues and other "contributions".

Finally....at very long last....the light at the end of the long long tunnel turns out to be the sun after all!

[Diana in Wisconsin]

"Taking on the status quo is no easy task. Each day, there are protesters in and around our state Capitol. They have every right to be heard. But their voices cannot drown out the voices of the countless taxpayers who want us to balance our budgets and, more importantly, to make government work for each of them."

BUMP!

[Redleg Duke]

The unions and their allies in the liberal left have shot themselves in the foot and are reloading as we speak.

[Mouton]

Nice post.

[Redleg Duke]

I certainly hope and pray that you are right. I was born and raised in Wisconsin and went to college in Madison during the turbulent 60s.

The ugliness of the UW protestors combined with the desperation of the union goons will probably result in lawless vandalism and the attempted destruction of lives and property.

It will take courage and fortitude to see through the immediate future, but I am confident that your Governor will set a fine example.

[Logic n' Reason]

Thank you!

We are so excited here in Madison!

It isn't over yet....but we're now in positive motion.

[Mustangman]

I lived in Madison Wisconsin in the early 90’s. It’s a great city in a great state. Two things. First, if pushed to make a choice, I’m on Governor Walkers side on this issue. I live in California now and we’re so liberal out here we’re going to go bankrupt before we actually try to do something like Walker is trying.

More importantly than the current issue at hand is that our country follows the concept of the ‘majority rules.’ This is how democracy works and it must be protected at all cost...even when I disagree with the majority..which is often.

Now, last I checked the GOP has about 60% of the legislature and 60% of the senate as well as the governorship. And, the Gov was apparently able to reach some sort of deal regarding public employee unions with a majority of the members of both houses. Simply put: The case is now closed. People who are against this plan lose. People who are for it, win. End of game. That’s how our system works. All the whining and crying by the Dems (and especially the walk-out by the Senators) has been absolutely embarrassing to watch. It’s like watching a bunch of children screaming and crying because they couldn’t have desert before dinner.

I respect those who don’t like this legislation. But, in our country the way to get it over-turned is to win the next election in 2012.......if you can. That’s how we all have to play the game. In the mean time, you lose on this issue Dems.

Finally, some or all of collective bargaining rights have been removed from public employees in something like 12 states since 2005. Now, most states don’t have them. The federal government doesn’t have them. Still, there are so many ‘guaranteed workers rights’ for public employees do they really need a union? It isn’t 1920 anymore.

People we have to balance our budgets!! We can do it on our time in a controlled matter or we can be cut-off one day by the Chinese and completely collapse. This is big-boy time!! The time for demagoguery is over. The only question is how are we going to pair down our federal and state budgets? You guys on the left need to answer that question, too!!!

[Logic n' Reason]

I certainly hope and pray that you are right. I was born and raised in Wisconsin and went to college in Madison during the turbulent 60s.
The ugliness of the UW protestors combined with the desperation of the union goons will probably result in lawless vandalism and the attempted destruction of lives and property.
It will take courage and fortitude to see through the immediate future, but I am confident that your Governor will set a fine example.

My brother was here in Madison during the time period you mention - I was elsewhere engaged.

But this is a very exciting time too. And we've a Governor who campaigned on the budget and against the state employee's union (not the employees...the UNION) right to break the financial back of the state with the unfunded and unsustainable pensions, healthcare, and other benefits.

Lo and behold....our new Governor has begun to accomplish exactly what he said he would do!!

Ain't that something tho??

I hope and pray that now that the example has been set, states like OH, IN, PA, TX, NJ, NY, CA, and others take heed.

[decimon]

More importantly than the current issue at hand is that our country follows the concept of the ‘majority rules.’

Where did you get that idea?

[randita]

Moreover, those protesting are heavily propogated by college students who have probably not paid a lick of taxes their entire life.

[AndyJackson]

the voices of the countless taxpayers who want us to balance our budgets and, more importantly, to make government work for each of them.

Thank goodness here in DC we are imune from such petty considerations. [oh, do I need to add a sarcasm tag for the clueless idiots around here - sorry forgot]

[rpierce]

My email to him:

Governor Walker,

I am thankful for your example of political courage in these days where almost all those who take up the mantle of politician are spineless, craven, weak or evil.

Stay the course and be counted with the great ones. Please don't waver or capitulate and be lost into the dustbin of political history.

Grace to you.

Sincerely,

--A grateful patriot