July 6, 2007
Volume
#29, Issue #22
ASSEMBLY REPUBLICANS STILL WORKING ON STATE BUDGET - With the State Senate
version of
the Budget being passed last week, the State Assembly must now pass their version. While
the Senate
budget contained many positive components for public employees, Assembly Republican
leaders are
considering some very different proposals. It appears that significant changes to
collective bargaining
rights for public employees, cuts in state employee compensation reserves and cuts in aid
to local
governments may all be part of the Assembly budget package.
Cuts to state employee compensation reserves would eliminate the ability of state
employees to secure
fair wage and benefits packages during this round of bargaining. Cuts in aids to local
governments will
continue the trend of starving local governments of resources while increasing state
mandates upon them,
a trend Governor Doyle tried to reverse when he introduced his budget.
Additionally, AFSCME was able to fend off numerous attacks on the collective bargaining
law for public
employees last legislative session. Legislators who would attempt to place these
undermining provisions
into the state budget must be held accountable.
We must act now to let legislators know our opposition to these proposals. The Assembly is
scheduled to
debate the budget on Tuesday, July 10. If you have not already done so, please contact
your State
Representative and urge him/her to oppose any cuts to state employee compensation
reserves, Shared
Revenue, and aid to counties and municipalities. Also, tell them that you oppose any plans
to weaken the
collective bargaining rights of public employees, and that they should vote against any
proposed changes
in the state budget.
LEGISLATIVE WEBSITES. . .For those
"online", here are some good info spots:
Wisconsin State Legislature: www.legis.state.wi.us/
"Who Are My Legislators": www.legis.state.wi.us./waml/
State of Wisconsin: www.wisconsin.gov/state/home
Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau: www.legis.state.wi.us/lrb/
Wisconsin Legislative Council: www.legis.state.wi.us/lc/
Wisconsin Legislative Fiscal Bureau: www.legis.state.wi.us/lfb/
Wisconsin Ethics Board: http://ethics.state.wi.us