When Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker launched a massive attack on state workers last week, his allies were ready to respond immediately:
What seemed to be minutes after Governor Scott Walker released his budget proposals regarding state workers the Wisconsin branch of Club for Growth, run by Walker's election strategist R. J. Johnson, had an ad up on televisions across the state calling for citizens to support the measures. Johnson told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel there was no collusion between the Governor's office and the Club in releasing the ad. The ad, which can be viewed here, alleges that state workers have yet to sacrifice during the economic downturn. It doesn't mention the 16 forced unpaid furloughs under the Doyle administration, nor does it mention that shortly after the election (and 15 months of negotiations) the administration and employee unions finally came up with a new contract agreement that included substantial concessions including more unpaid furlough days and increased contributions to pensions and health care.
Which is why it's important that progressives and reasonable conservatives fight back. The Wisconsin state AFL-CIO is running television and radio ads against Walker's move:
And there's a lot of on the ground action taking place. If you're in Wisconsin, check out this comprehensive events list to see if you can join in in person. There's stuff going on in several locations today, tomorrow, and Wednesday, and SEIU has buses going to the capitol from around the state for lobby days.
Although Republicans have majorities in both houses of the state legislature, there is a chance to stop it in the Senate:
So could it pass the state legislature? While the Republicans have a commanding 57-38 majority (plus one Independent) in the Wisconsin house, they have a much narrower 19-14 majority in the state Senate. The Senate majority leader says he doesn't know when the chamber will take it up, effectively acknowledging he doesn't have the votes yet. Four Republicans were quoted in the Journal-Sentinel saying they weren't ready to commit to support the legislation and another four Republicans whose districts have lots of state workers wouldn't return phone calls.
So don't stop fighting.
Update: More buses for lobby day, from AFSCME
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