"(CNN) -- Embattled Republican Gov. Scott Walker defended a budget bill that would slash public workers' benefits and most collective bargaining rights in an effort to address Wisconsin's impending $3.6 billion dollar deficit.
"We have bill collectors waiting," Walker told reporters Friday. "It's time we step up and pay the bills that we owe."
The move comes as crowds of protesters gathered in Madison and Democratic state senators defended their decision to leave the state in an effort to stymie a bill they say is anti-union.
"Hiding out in another state is not the way democracies operate," Walker said.
Walker, who says the state is "broke," is asking legislators to pass his Budget Repair Bill to combat a $137 million shortfall through June 30. An upcoming two-year budget for 2011-13 must address a pending $3.6 billion deficit, he said.
But opponents of the bill, most of them Democrats, say the proposed legislation is an attack on workers' rights.
"We will return and do our job, but the governor had to do his job," said state Senate Minority Leader Mark Miller, one of 14 Democrats and two Republicans who left Madison to stall a vote on the controversial bill."
Story continued here: http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/02/18/wisconsin.budget/index.html?hpt=Sbin
As I've been watching the news this topic has been getting more and more heated. First, the teachers union likely isn't the only one that has been hit by budget cuts or changes in their benefit packages. ...and I hate stating the obvious, but with the economy being as bad as it is...people should be lucky they even have a job nowadays. Yes, I know they are teachers...they do a wonderful thing teaching the future of our country and I credit them for their hard work. I think its mainly a control thing for them because if the bill passes they won't be able to control their wages anymore through collective bargaining sessions.
However, I work in the medical profession and I haven't gotten a raise in a good two years...and my benefit packages aren't looking as rosy as they used to...but I'm not going out and abandon my patients in their beds to fend for themselves while I go and protest my loathing about the fact that my benefit package isn't so great...or my lack of a raise for a couple of years. Also, I don't get the luxury of collective bargaining for my wages. Collective bargaining for wages would likely = looking for/finding another job. I don't think anyone or any one group should be exempt from state budget cuts because its not like the governor is going to be able to magically snap his fingers and make some cash appear for the debt collectors and say "here!"
... because lets face it...we are all suffering as the economy suffers anyway and we need to look for solutions for correcting the debt situation as best as possible, as its a problem that won't wait to be fixed...and is only getting worse.
...and what the hell is up with those Minority Leaders who decided to flee their PAID job responsibilities so they can further delay this bill from passing? At least get in there and do your job and say you are opposed for whatever reason.
Discuss.
"We have bill collectors waiting," Walker told reporters Friday. "It's time we step up and pay the bills that we owe."
The move comes as crowds of protesters gathered in Madison and Democratic state senators defended their decision to leave the state in an effort to stymie a bill they say is anti-union.
"Hiding out in another state is not the way democracies operate," Walker said.
Walker, who says the state is "broke," is asking legislators to pass his Budget Repair Bill to combat a $137 million shortfall through June 30. An upcoming two-year budget for 2011-13 must address a pending $3.6 billion deficit, he said.
But opponents of the bill, most of them Democrats, say the proposed legislation is an attack on workers' rights.
"We will return and do our job, but the governor had to do his job," said state Senate Minority Leader Mark Miller, one of 14 Democrats and two Republicans who left Madison to stall a vote on the controversial bill."
Story continued here: http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/02/18/wisconsin.budget/index.html?hpt=Sbin
As I've been watching the news this topic has been getting more and more heated. First, the teachers union likely isn't the only one that has been hit by budget cuts or changes in their benefit packages. ...and I hate stating the obvious, but with the economy being as bad as it is...people should be lucky they even have a job nowadays. Yes, I know they are teachers...they do a wonderful thing teaching the future of our country and I credit them for their hard work. I think its mainly a control thing for them because if the bill passes they won't be able to control their wages anymore through collective bargaining sessions.
However, I work in the medical profession and I haven't gotten a raise in a good two years...and my benefit packages aren't looking as rosy as they used to...but I'm not going out and abandon my patients in their beds to fend for themselves while I go and protest my loathing about the fact that my benefit package isn't so great...or my lack of a raise for a couple of years. Also, I don't get the luxury of collective bargaining for my wages. Collective bargaining for wages would likely = looking for/finding another job. I don't think anyone or any one group should be exempt from state budget cuts because its not like the governor is going to be able to magically snap his fingers and make some cash appear for the debt collectors and say "here!"
... because lets face it...we are all suffering as the economy suffers anyway and we need to look for solutions for correcting the debt situation as best as possible, as its a problem that won't wait to be fixed...and is only getting worse....and what the hell is up with those Minority Leaders who decided to flee their PAID job responsibilities so they can further delay this bill from passing? At least get in there and do your job and say you are opposed for whatever reason.
Discuss.
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