Walker’s State of the State Rings Hollow to Many Wisconsinites
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This is a cross-post by Karen Hickey, communications director at the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO.
Amid John Doe investigations into former staff and a recall election imminent, Gov. Walker delivered his second State of the State address last night. In one year in office Gov. Walker has torn our state apart, attacked workers’ rights and dismissed our democracy. As job loss continues to plague Wisconsin, Walker’s actions speak louder than words.
“Gov. Walker lied to the electorate last November, concealing his plans to attack Wisconsin workers and slash funding for local schools and communities. [Last night], his State of the State speech rang hollow to too many Wisconsinites who are living with the everyday realities of the current Wisconsin economy,” said Phil Neuenfeldt, president of the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO. “Six months of job loss show that Gov. Walker’s policies are not working. It is time to change course, stop rewarding special interest allies at the expense of the working people of Wisconsin, and get Wisconsin back on track.”
Report: Walker Costing Wisconsin More than 18,000 Jobs a Year
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This is a cross-post by Karen Hickey, communications director at the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO.
A report released by the Institute for Wisconsin’s Future entitled “The Price of Extremism” clearly and systematically outlines that Gov. Scott Walker’s policies are not working. In fact, the indirect, ripple affects of Gov. Walker’s actions are costing Wisconsin more than 18,000 full-time, private-sector jobs during the first year of Walker’s budget.
The report focuses on four ways Walker’s policies are hurting Wisconsin and attaches private-sector job loss estimates to each of the policies. The four areas and estimated job loss include:
1. Cuts to education and health care, which will cost Wisconsin 5,400 jobs.
2. Cuts in aid to low-income families, which will cost Wisconsin 1,200 jobs.
3. The economic impact of Act 10, which will cost Wisconsin 6,900 jobs.
4. The rejection of federal aid funds, which has cost 4,700 jobs.
Back by Popular Demand: The Recall
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This is a cross-post from the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO blog by Karen Hickey in AFL-CIO Field Communications.
The Wisconsin State AFL-CIO endorses the efforts of a citizens group, United Wisconsin, to recall Gov. Scott Walker. United Wisconsin announced today that it will lead efforts to recall Gov. Walker. The group currently has 202, 516 online pledges to recall Walker. Petitions for signature collection will begin circulating on Nov. 15.
The people will have 60 days to collect at least 540,208 signatures. If successful, this would produce a recall election in April or May of 2012. The Wisconsin State AFL-CIO is urging its members to get involved with the effort to restore democracy and recall Gov. Walker. This effort is too important to wait.
Wisconsinites Rally for Good Jobs Outside Walker’s Secret Forum
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This is a cross-post from the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO blog by Karen Hickey in AFL-CIO Field Communications.
Downtown Milwaukee was filled with chants of “Where are the jobs?” and “Money for jobs and education, not for banks and corporations,” this morning as workers, the unemployed and community members came together to rally for family-supporting jobs in Wisconsin.
The rally took place outside of Gov. Scott Walker’s secret, invitation-only, jobs forum. Inside the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce, Gov. Walker was meeting with select business leaders on how best to create jobs in Wisconsin. We know that the past strategy of tax breaks for the super-rich and corporate allies has not worked for the working families in Wisconsin.
Workers were refused entrance to the forum. When unemployed constituents requested to meet with Walker to discuss jobs, the building owner refused entry.
‘Wisconsin Truth Tour’ Picks Up Speed Criss-Crossing State
This is a cross-post from the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO blog by Karen Hickey in AFL-CIO Field Communications.
Wisconsinites have been gathering in local communities across the state to learn how their fellow community members are impacted by recent changes in Wisconsin policy. After hearing stories of how their friends and neighbors have been negatively affected by Scott Walker and GOP legislators’ aggressive and radical agenda, community members have taken to the streets in support of working family candidates for the summer recall elections.
Last night, the Wisconsin Truth Tour stopped in Kenosha for an evening rally and canvass kick-off.
John Scott, a middle school teacher from Racine, took to the mic to explain why he had come down to the Truth Tour:
I have worked at a lot of places with a lot of people who are being hurt by Walker’s programs and extreme agenda. As more people begin to see what is coming down, more are saying—”not in our Wisconsin.” That is why we are out on the doors talking to our neighbors every week. They may have the money, but we have the people.
Wisconsin Truth Tour Rolls On
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This is a cross-post from the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO blog by Karen Hickey in AFL-CIO Field Communications.
Merrill residents gathered in Normal Park last night for a community discussion and rally as the Wisconsin Truth Tour to speak out on the impact of Gov. Scott Walker’s (R) devastating budget and anti-union measures rolled into town.
Before taking to the streets in support of state Sen. Jim Holperin, who is one of two Democrats Walker allies have targeted for recall in an Aug. 19 election (click here for more on the other recall elections), union and community members discussed the losses suffered by Wisconsin working families under Walker. Said Rich McAllister from Tomahawk:
This is not just about unions. This is about basic rights and taking a stand to protect Wisconsin’s middle class. My wife is a school teacher and the way teachers have been villainized is shameful. These are some of the best individuals in the community and we blame our financial problems on them? It does not make sense.
Walker Ignores Voters, Signs Radical Budget
This is a crosspost from the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO by Karen Hickey in AFL-CIO Field Communications.
On Sunday afternoon behind closed doors, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker signed the most radical budget in Wisconsin history. Although the taxpaying public was blocked from the signing, hundreds protested outside as they had for months, while Walker silenced the voters and plowed forward with this agenda.
This budget will result in a major loss to the quality of life for the people of Wisconsin by crippling economic support systems for middle income and working class families and slashing education, health care and funds for local communities. This budget raises taxes on the working poor with children while lowering taxes for the elite and wealthy. Read the rest of this entry »
Teachers Speak Out to Save Public Education
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This is a cross-post from the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO by Karen Hickey in AFL-CIO Field Communications.
The sun was shining on day two of the Walkerville, tent city protest for a fair and moral budget. The theme of the day was public education. Teachers and education staff were on hand throughout the day to answer questions about how Scott Walker’s proposed state budget will impact their classrooms and the children they teach.
At the afternoon program, teachers held an informal open mic to explain why they support Wisconsin schools and classrooms. Budget fact sheets outlining the deep cuts to education were also passed out to the crowd.
Kelly Sullivan, a high school teacher at Monona Grove High, explained that “Gov. Walker and the State Legislature should prioritize funding public education because kids are the most important investment we make.”
On 100th Anniversary of Worker Compensation Law, Wis.’s Progressive History Is Remembered
This is a cross-post from the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO by Karen Hickey in AFL-CIO Field Communications.
One hundred years ago today Wisconsin’s Republican governor put aside partisan politics to sign a law protecting workers. On May 3, 1911, Wisconsin Republican Gov. Francis McGovern signed the nation’s first constitutionally upheld workers’ compensation law.
The law, which helps workers who have been hurt or injured on the job, was passed with overwhelming bipartisan support in both the state Senate and Assembly, reminding us that Wisconsin has a progressive history of coming together to protect the working people of the state. This law also was passed because workers and their unions organized, fought and demanded action from employers and their government.
Thousands Rally as One Across Wisconsin to Mark April 4
This is a cross-post from the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO by Karen Hickey in AFL-CIO Field Communications.
At more than 1,000 events across the country, communities joined together in unity to mark the 43rd anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.—and to protect the very rights he died to protect. Building on the momentum that started here in Wisconsin, nurses, firefighters, teachers, people of faith, students and community members stood together in streets, parks and state Capitol buildings across America.
In Wisconsin, thousands stood united against the political attacks against working families and the middle class with over 30 different events in more than two dozen cities. Teach-ins, movie screenings, rallies, marches and candlelight vigils were held in Appleton, Beloit, DePere, Eau Claire, Fond du Lac, Green Bay, Janesville, Kaukauna, Kenosha, La Crosse, Madison, Menomonie, Milwaukee, Oconto Falls, Oshkosh, Platteville, Racine, Ripon, River Falls, Shawano, Sheboygan, Steven’s Point and Wausau.
