There is a revolt in Wisconsin. The 14 Democratic senators have apparently left the state to avoid voting on the budget proposed by the new Republican governor, Scott Walker.
A three-fifths vote is required to reach a quorum. If no Democrat is present, Republicans are one vote short. Republicans have sent state troopers to find at least one Democrat and bring him to the Capitol for the vote.
Democrats assert that the governor is acting like a dictator. During the protests he has been renamed “Hosni Walker.” Some signs proclaim: “If Egypt Can Have Democracy, Why Can’t Wisconsin?” A retired man found the Arab sign for “Get lost” on the Internet and brought it to the protest.
It is the third day of the revolt, which has mobilized tens of thousands of professors, workers and students. In six days, the governor started to reverse 50 years of union laws.
Not only does he intend to reduce by half the social benefits of state civil servants, but he also wants to deny them the right of “collective bargaining,” or the right to mass conventions negotiated by the unions. And he does all that using the budget, not through a specific law.
Certainly, the state is confronted with a deficit of $137 million. But it is the union laws that will make up the gap, protest the employees.
I live in Wisconsin and I strongly disagree with the Governor’s budget repair proposal. That said, I offer some, hopefully objective, clarifications.
First, as of Monday February 21, 2011, the 14 Senate Democrats remain outside the State of Wisconsin.
Second, for bills that contain appropriations a 3/5 quorum is necessary. The current bill is intended to address the potential shortfall Wisconsin could experience between now and June 30 of 2011. The Republican’s could return Tuesday, and could pass pending non appropriation bills.
Third, the protesters have been K-12 teachers rather than “professors.” Yes some University of Wisconsin professors participated, but it is rank and file teachers across Wisconsin who are most at risk here.
Fourth, the Governor’s current proposal wouldn’t “reduce social benefits by half.” It would require all public workers to pay approximately 5.8% of salary toward their pensions, and it would increase the amount they have to pay for health insurance.
Fifth, next week he will intorduce his budget for the next two years beginning July 1, of 2011. That is likely to be where Wisconsin sees some really harsh cuts. Those cuts could be reduced if he would offer some reasonable tax increases, but he and the Republicans absolutely refuse to even continue such an option.
As a progressive Wisconsinite I am saddened by this effort to union bust in my home state