Posted on 03/10/2011 4:48:24 AM PST by 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.
(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...
The Republican Party was first organized in Jackson, Michigan on February 28, 1854 for the purpose of stopping the expansion of slavery into Western territories and states. party's birthplace.) The first convention of the U.S. Republican Party happened in Jackson on July 6, 1854.
Hang together, or hang separately. Start your own Ping List. :)
What is heartening to see is that most of the WSJ comments are pro-Walker and the a lot of the anti-Walker comments are nutty (Civil War, dark overlords, bankrolled election, etc).
decimon: Thank you for bringing this up.
Mustangman: This is one of the faults of democracy. You assume two things: one, that the majority rule must prevail, and two that the majority rule is correct. The only bone our forefathers threw democracy was the election of the house of representatives. Senators were appointed by the governor and ratified by the state house of representatives, until the 17th amendment got senators popularly elected so they could buy votes.
The Kennedy brothers in the late 60s floated the idea of electing all 100 senators nationally so they really could buy votes.
Our forefathers considered democracy as mob rule. Democracy is two wolves and a sheep voting on who and what to have for dinner.
We see the results of democracy today with the welfare class running the show.
If we lived in a democracy, and the majority needed more money, by any public vote they could simply abolish your right to own private property.
Those whose bread I eat his song I sing.
We live in a republic, NOT a democracy. And as Ben Franklin said, we must pray to God we can keep it.
I can only assume you’re being sarcastic. The Dems are just not used to the GOP taking over and then actually standing up to them (Dems)even when they have the majority.
This entire situation reminds me of those 1960’s newsreels when the young folks were pushing aside the ‘the old guard’ concerning matters of social issues, war, and culture. The difference is, the 60’s generation is now the ‘old guard’ and their ideas and philosophies are equally anachronistic.
Step aside Boomers...there’s ‘a new generation taking over’ to borrow a cliche from your time
Collective bargaining should be illegal when it involves taxpayer dollars. I have no problem with collective bargaining in the private sector providing no taxpayer funded bailouts are involved.
Well naturally......We live in a representative republic where the majority of voters picks the people who represent us. Then, this elected group of folks makes decisions on our behalf. Basically it’s their job to work the details and they get judged based by us based on our interpretation of the ‘well being’ of the state.
With that said, laws to get enacted by majorities in both houses and signature by the Gov. Minority opinions in each house should always be heard, but they are just that...minority opinions. The majority can use them or discard them as they wish.
Generations don't exist other than as concepts. I never had a generational union card and I doubt that you do.
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