Thursday, March 10, 2011

Scott Walker, Wisconsin Republicans Lie, Ram Anti-Union Legislation Through

From a Los Angeles Times article by Abby Sewell:
Senate Republicans in Wisconsin used a surprise legislative maneuver to advance a bill that would strip collective bargaining rights from most public sector workers, a move accomplished without the presence of 14 Democratic senators who fled the state to stall the measure.

Republicans voted 18 to 1 Wednesday night to pass the non-fiscal provisions of Gov. Scott Walker's budget repair bill, including those that would eliminate or severely limit collective bargaining rights for most public employees.

By omitting the financial provisions from the bill, Republicans were able to bypass a requirement that a quorum be present to vote on fiscal legislation. When all 14 Democratic state senators fled to Illinois on Feb. 17, they denied the GOP majority a quorum and thereby stymied action on the initiative.
Only one Republican voted against the bill - moderate Republican Dale Shultz, who had pushed for weeks fro Democrats and Republicans to compromise.

"Ultimately, I voted my conscience, which I feel reflects the core beliefs of the majority of voters who sent me here to represent them," he said.

Amanda Terkel and Sam Stein of The Huffington Post pointed out the hypocrisy:
It was also a 180-degree reversal by Walker and state Senate Republicans, who have insisted for the past three weeks that the collective bargaining provision was designed to help alleviate the state’s budget problems. State Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald (R) had previously said he would not attempt to pass any portions of the bill without Democrats present.
And what about all those emails Walker leaked showing he was really a nice guy and wanted to negotiate?

Sadly, voters will probably forget about this come election time and Republicans will probably claim they still represent the people when they seek the votes from the very people they attacked...

Kudos to Dale Shultz for actually listening to the people and voting in their interests...

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