A few minutes before midnight Wednesday, we received notice from Sen. Van Wanggaard, R-21st District, that he will vote in favor of Gov. Scott Walker's "budget repair" bill, as it has been amended. As soon as we can find the amended bill, we'll let you know what's been changed.
Here's Wanggaard's statement:
After listening to my constituents and my colleagues, I put forward, with Senator Schultz, a proposal today addressing concerns in Special Session Bill 11.
Over the past seven days, my staff and I have met with and talked to literally hundreds of citizens from Racine County and around Wisconsin. Among the chief fears we heard from union members were concerns about grievances, termination, discipline and workplace safety.
I am thankful to the Joint Finance Committee and Governor Walker for addressing many of my, and my constituents’, concerns.
There is an old saying: “In a democracy, making law is like making sausage.” I never fully understood that statement until this week. No compromise is perfect, but I am thankful that the bill has been substantially modified to add additional worker protection.
I will be voting “Yes” on the amended budget repair bill.
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Wait, so Wanggaard is already saying that he will vote yes for the bill while admitting that he has not yet seen the changes and doesn't know what they say? I'm in favor of many of the ideas in this bill, but it seems like making a decision before you've read something is an irresponsible way to govern and part of how we got into this mess in the first place.
ReplyDeleteYou're misreading it. The part about not having seen the bill yet is from the writer of the article. The indented text below is Wanggaard's quote.
ReplyDeleteThe 603 members of Local 3777 will now be boycotting Mr. Wanggaard's campaign contributers in the Racine area.
ReplyDeleteWhile the amendment at least addresses the concerns for county and local government employees in regards to discipline, terminations, grievances, it does not address what can happen to accrued vacation and sick time. Even the private sector would not want to have their accrued vacation and sick time gone. Also, doesn't anyone have a concern with $28 million dollars being taken out of the Employee Trust Fund? Doesn't anyone have a problem with the amount of pension payments being lowered for retirees? Doesn't anyone have a concern that the UW will be separated from the rest of the UW system and the possibility that these other schools could be lost?
ReplyDeleteEconomic terrorism, nice. You stay classy unions.
ReplyDeleteIt is about time someone stood up to you thugs.
You Tea party nuts voted for Van Wanggaard and this bunch of right wing nut cakes.
ReplyDeleteI appears that a high percentage of posts on here are the same weird conservatives that really need a life.
Your making your bed I hope you truly enjoy sleeping in it.
Walker's plan helps no one. Everyone will lose, including the rich he's intending to benefit. It's hard to support and attract business when no one has money to spend.
ReplyDeleteAmazing that RUSD was looking to upgrade schools. Now it'll take every dollar possible to keep our existing schools open and safe, and to retain teachers.
It's incredible how many people are willing to sit by and let foundations of our society crumble. Interesting times we live in.
People also need to hear the public sector point of view. I have zero bargaining power with my employer. If they want me to pay more for my health insurance, they just tell me rates are going up. My husband's employer got rid of their best health care option, and then charged even more for the second best choice. If they decide to freeze wages for 2 years, like they have, that is the final say. We don't have any sort of pension plan through work, so our retirement is completely up to us, like most of the workers in Wisconsin. We put 15% of our paychecks away for retirement, and even that amount is not enough for us to retire by 67. If my employer was $3.6B in debt, there would be MASSIVE layoffs. Walker is trying to prevent people losing jobs. Unions need to realize that 5.8% towards retirement is still an amazing benefit.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing that so many people just DON'T get it!
ReplyDeleteThe state is broke! The Federal government is broke.
Where did RUSD expect to get the money to "upgrade schools"? From the state and/or the Feds.
There is a time when one has to pay the piper -- and the time is now. Get used to living with less, folks... It's going to be a rough ride.
I wonder if MR.Wanggaard would still have voted for this bill if it had affected his former police union buddies.
ReplyDeleteA quick note to the union threats. We didn't elect Van to represent the unions, he was sent there to represent the taxpayer.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous you are right on!!!
ReplyDeleteOf course he wouldn't! First these tea baggers will destroy our schools and other municipal services, and then make it worse by allowing people to carry guns with no training or background checks.
Every day these socialista's now in power in Madison make it a better and better bet that I will be moving to California. And it will be sooner than later!
Power to the people! as we stand with our revolutionary brothers and sisters in Egypt too!
I'd like anonymous who said the State of Wisconsin is broke to define what that means. Many individuals including Scotty, call in the National Guard Walker, say that but they never define what broke is and what the implications of being broke are to a person living day to day in Wisconsin.
ReplyDeleteEnough with the BS. There is no money. Public employees are on the dole. Government does not produce anything. The private sector does and pays too much tax. Everyone seems to have a job for life in the public sector. You should try that in the private sector where all the producers for all those on the dole have had many jobs. I know, I chose it. But, elections have results and we have chosen to get out of debt. Have you seen what has been going on in Europe. Too many years of people on the dole and no producers. It's common sense.
ReplyDeleteDo you want to end up like California. They are completely broke. You see the problem is that the media is slanted left and do not report on the mess that we are all in. This is being done on purpose by our moron president and his ilk. Doyle did not run for a reason. He knew that Wisconsin's citizens have had enough of his BS and spending. It cannot sustain itself. Do it for the kids, man...! Love that line. It's not about the kids, it's about taxpayer funded lifetime jobs where some don't produce a thing and take advantage of every taxpayer. It defy's logic and common sense. Wake up people.
ReplyDeleteYou still haven't explained what the implications of this are to indiviudals in their everyday life here in Wisconsin. The reality of this is, due to your ingonorance, you don't have any real understnding of the issue. You are being lead around like an aniaml with a ring through your nose.
ReplyDeleteWho is John Galt?
ReplyDeletePlease vote yes for the bill. Do not cave in to the pressure of the unions.
ReplyDeleteThis adjustment has been a long time coming, way too long! It's human nature to not want to reduce your own situation but don't these people understand??? I have heard from friends in other states that support the trails our state is initiating.
One thing is clear to me! If there is not a recall election --
ReplyDeleteI will be talking to these Republican bullies by giving future Democratic candidates money!
It seems money talks now in America.
How soon they forgot about George Petak vote!
ReplyDeleteI'd like for the jerk above who said that "Government does not produce anything" to explain, then, why he is still living here instead of moving to Afghanistan. If he thinks that government is so useless, he should be true to his principles and move somewhere in the world where they don't HAVE a functioning government. The "government" is not a bunch of nameless, faceless bureaucrats sitting in an office. The "Government" is made up of teachers, social workers, prosecutors, prison guards, police, firemen, judges, public defenders, parole officers, snowplow drivers, sanitation workers, city planners, public health doctors and nurses, EMT's, etc.!! We are your neighbors, friends, and family! We pay taxes, too! To say that we're "the dole" is not only insulting but stupid. You have access to public education, law and order, a functioning infrastructure, safe water and sanitation, and public health--all because of government! Grow up and get a clue, you ungrateful moron.
ReplyDeleteSen. Wanggaard was elected to represent the CITIZENS of this district. NOT the taxpayers! CITIZENS, get it? You don't get extra votes for based on the taxes you pay, you get one vote, no matter how much you pay in taxes. And if you aren't CITIZEN you don't get to vote at all! That is why the way to put these T Party Nazis on the run is to get out the vote. The one thing that scares the heck out of the wealthy is that if the poor get their stuff together we will make them pay a larger, more fair portion of their income to help support the society that has given them the freedom to succeed. Nowhere else on this earth can you decide to start a business and just do it without getting permission, nowhere. So, you may live in a homeless shelter or a palace in Wind Point, but you still get just one vote and if the Senator doesn't make sure to help those in the shelter there won't be enough votes in Wind Point to keep him in office. Right now it looks like he has decide to kick a hornets nest, the result will be very predictable, one term, maybe less.
ReplyDeleteOne and done Van. Simple as that.
ReplyDeletewhy not legalize marijuana and prostitution if we need to generate revenue?? i'm a union member, and oddly enough, i pay taxes too!! i agree with anonymous--if you don't like living in a country that provides luxuries to you by government employees--SHUT UP & MOVE to wherever you think you are going to have it better. if things are so great elsewhere, why do so many people strive to come to this country so that they can raise their families here?!?!? i am put in dangerous, risky situations every day for the welfare of our children without any protection whatsoever--i've dedicated many years to my career and will never recover from the amount of student loans that i accrued so that i could increase my performance/knowledge to do my "government job"--what do you do???? work at an ice cream shop? work at toys r us? do you even work at all, or do you live off the government?????
ReplyDeleteWell, we must recall this man... He refuses to accept e-mails and phone call. A sure sign he does not represent us but those that put him in power. When his mailing came in I showed them to my sons and said were do these come from. They quickly noticed only one of many was from Wisconsin. He owes it to them (who ever they might be) and feels no opligation to the people of his district. Recall is mandated!
ReplyDeleteFace it: yes, we need to reduce the gov't, since we won't raise gov't income. We've avoided that fact in WI for 24 years. Walker claims he has nothing to negotiate with. He can cut out whole departments, for Heaven's sake; he's hardly being honest, and certainly implying he doesn't understand dealing honestly with the State employees.
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile, what part of the State gov't should we drop? The sealer of weights & measures - the person who checks that the grocer's scale, and the gasoline pump are accurate? The highway engineers that plan the highways, and the maint. crews that keep them open and sound?
Wanggaard has proposed some changes, and is so sure of them being accepted that he is committed to supporting the bill. Or maybe he just likes to be listened to by the Republican powers that be. Do the changes restore to State employed nurses their fundamental right to safe conditions (for both nurse and patient), that nursing schools promise every professional nurse? If the nurses union ever disagrees with their management, how will they bring this up with management? With a whistle blowers lawsuit form the Nursing Accreditation Board or the Joint Committee? That can't save money, no how.
ReplyDeleteSeriously, all you supporters of Walker's evisceration of workers' collective bargaining rights. Somebody answer this. I understand completely the desire and need to have public employees contribute toward their pension and health benefits. Yes, the state is is bad economic shape. But here's a small example if the real mismanagement of state budgets. Walker has stated that his budget plan will only cut 130 million from the problem, yet he has also granted 140 million to companies in tax credits with no guarantee from them that they will add jobs or even stay in the state. So in essence he took away revenue away and is not replacing all of it with his cuts to workers. So, all you Walker supporters, can you explain this new math?
ReplyDeleteExactly. Governor Dropout increases spending, then says the only way to save money is to kill the concept of unions? That's like if someone broke your TV and said the only way to fix your TV is to duct tape your mouth and hands so that you can't complain about your broken television. The recall of Wankkaar starts now.
ReplyDeleteShame on you Wannguard. You were in a union. You were a police officer. You made your living and are where you are today because of unions. Now you are selling them out? I know people who know you and have worked for you. You are strangling the hand the fed you so many years. Barbaric
ReplyDeleteanon 2:56 a.m.,
ReplyDeleteNowhere does it state that Van is unaware of the amended bill. Van has been working on writing the amendment which has already been approved. It kills me that people are ready to throw stones before knowing if a person is in fact guilty or not! This has been a tough time for all involved, Dem and Reub alike, so before listening to the lies and hate mongering that your union has told you, research the facts.
Anon 9:03
ReplyDeleteWhat you call economic terrorism, I call the free market.
If Van is rewriting the bill, why doesn't he state what the changes are? It's because he really doesn't want to go up against the dictatorial governor he serves. Just like Petak (remember him?) he's willing to turn his back on his constituents' desires. He, and possibly Walker, too, will face the same fate!
ReplyDeleteIt goes against Wisconsin's historical precepts to take away collective negotiation for creating fair legislation and processes. Union busting is even against our U.S. constitutional rights......read it! I'm not a union member, but I support their rights.
Tom B. from Racine (an American)
The WSEU just agreed to the economic concessions if their bargaining rights are maintained. Wanggaard is supporting union busting if he continues to support the bill rather than accept the unions' compromise.
ReplyDeleteWhy has Van NOT EVEN READ THE BILL AND COMPREHEND THE EXTENSIVE CHANGES? Van, your mouth always did get you in trouble, you brag but don't read. You speak but don't listen. now you told some folks that you didn't even read the dang thing, honestly, one and done and sooner.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.examiner.com/political-buzz-in-portland/a-strategy-to-reduce-corporate-special-interest-influence-washington
ReplyDeleteThis is a simple straightforward transfer of trillions of middle class wealth to the top 1 to 10% plutocracy. Further insanely bloating their plutonomy. This is extremely unsustaineable.....
Recent events in Wisconsin exemplify the class war perpetrated by the corporate/political elite against our middle class. In the late 70’s, corporate America organized on an unprecedented level to gain control of American politics through campaign donations and vastly increased lobbying efforts - and our politicians sold out.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.examiner.com/political-buzz-in-portland/a-strategy-to-reduce-corporate-special-interest-influence-washington
"Over the past few decades, politicians and corporations “unified” to create the “Politi-Corp Union.” Their Union’s massive financial windfalls correspond directly with our exploding federal debt and economic disaster. The larceny committed by the Politi-Corp Union against the collective whole was in the tens of trillions of dollars." Excerpted
http://www.opednews.com/articles/IT-S-THE-DERIVATIVES-STUP-by-Ellen-Brown-080918-354.html
ReplyDelete"The point everyone misses," wrote economist Robert Chapman a decade ago, "is that buying derivatives is not investing. It is gambling, insurance and high stakes bookmaking. Derivatives create nothing."1 They not only create nothing, but they serve to enrich non-producers at the expense of the people who do create real goods and services. In congressional hearings in the early 1990s, derivatives trading was challenged as being an illegal form of gambling. But the practice was legitimized by Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan, who not only lent legal and regulatory support to the trade but actively promoted derivatives as a way to improve "risk management." Partly, this was to boost the flagging profits of the banks; and at the larger banks and dealers, it worked. But the cost was an increase in risk to the financial system as a whole"Excerpted
Funny that we are not so broke as to afford a mansion and servants for the so-called governor and his rotten ready-made family. Not to broke to fund the nepotism, and cronism. Not to broke to pay for the mistresses to get jobs over qualified applicants. Not to busy to upgrade highways to benefit the contractors who gave to the Weasel Walker's campaign. Not to broke for stupid, unqualified Kleefish and her dopey husband to collect a healthy salary as public servants, even though they are trailor park trash and both dumb as a bag of rocks. Not broke enough to not give 81,000 jobs to sons of campaign contributors, even though they have no experience or qualifications. The only thing broke about Wisconsin is its morals, as dumb jackasses have elected jackasses like themselves to lead our state. Shame!!!!
ReplyDelete