Once again we see Republican "negotiating" tactics in action. With negotiations between Michigan and its public employee unions set to begin next week, Gov. Rick Snyder began making plans to
fire people:
Department heads were told last week to plan for dismissals and cutbacks “as a last resort” should employees not agree to concessions, Sara Wurfel, a spokeswoman for the 52-year-old Republican, said today in a telephone interview. The number of possible firings is undetermined, she said.
Contracts for the seven bargaining units expire Sept. 30, so they would have to be renegotiated. The $145 million reduction in pay or benefits is assumed in the 2011-12 budget that takes effect Oct. 1.
Oh, well, if it's a last resort, right? And required for the budget? Surely there was no choice besides firing people or effectively cutting compensation for everyone. Right?
About that—predictably enough, Snyder had seen cutting corporate taxes as an option:
The $145 million in concessions were planned as part of Snyder’s recently passed budget. Under that budget, Snyder and the Republican dominated legislature eliminated the state’s Michigan Business Tax and surcharge, replacing it with a six percent flat tax. That move added to a budget deficit of $1.2 billion or so. As a result, the GOP hammered away at the budget removing exemptions on property taxes and instituting an income tax on the pensions of retirees. In addition, the lawmakers and governor significantly reduced a tax credit for the working poor.
And now we've reached the moment of Republican "Negotiating" 101. Open negotiations by saying, "If you don't give me everything I'm asking for, some of you are fired."