Middle class voters rejecting extreme anti-worker agenda
Yesterday voters in Michigan and Ohio went to the polls and sent a message to every anti-worker politician in America that there is a price to pay for turning your back on the middle class.
Here in Michigan, voters removed state Rep. Paul Scott (R-Grand Blanc) from office, following his votes to cut schools, tax pensions, and provide a huge $1.8 billion tax giveaway to big corporations. Scott is the first Michigan lawmaker to be recalled by voters since 1983, one year after he was born.
In Ohio, voters used their citizens veto to repeal SB 5 and protect their nurses, teachers and firefighters — and everyone they serve — by protecting collective bargaining rights.
Make no mistake — these are huge victories for all working families.
Following the recent recall of two Wisconsin state senators, yesterday’s votes in Michigan and Ohio send a strong message that middle class voters are rejecting the anti-worker agendas of politicians like Paul Scott, John Kasich and Gov. Scott Walker.
While these elections should serve as a wake-up call to Lansing politicians and their special interest friends, we know the attacks on middle class families will continue.
Here in Michigan, Students First, Michelle Rhee's anti-teacher lobbying group spent over $70,000 to support Scott and oppose the recall election. During the final days of the Ohio campaign, corporate special interests spent over $2.2 million on TV ads to defend SB 5.
While they lost this round, corporate front groups like Americans for Prosperity — founded by the billionaire Koch Brothers — have deep pockets, and can spend whatever it takes to curry favor with politicians and push anti-worker laws here in Michigan.
In fact, we already know extreme politicians like Rep. Mike Shirkey (R-Clarklake) and Sen. Pat Colbeck (R-Canton) are planning to introduce so-called “Right to Work” legislation soon, which would weaken the middle class and won’t do anything to create jobs.
We Are the People is committed to holding our lawmakers accountable and fighting back against these attacks on Michigan’s middle class families — but we can’t do it alone.
To help stand up for working families in your community, you can join us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and text MI to 225568 to receive breaking news and information.
Middle class voters in Michigan and Ohio sent an important message yesterday. Now it’s up to us to make sure Lansing politicians start listening to Michigan’s 99%.