At the risk of sounding undiplomatic, and with the state’s massive structural deficit foremost in mind, I will restrain myself in commenting on the idea to convene a special session of the Wisconsin Legislature to approve undisclosed public employee union contracts. So to those who hatched this brilliant idea, I sweetly say: WHAT PARALLEL UNIVERSE DO YOU PEOPLE INHABIT?!
We have a $150 million budget shortfall for the current fiscal year alone, and an estimated $3.3 billion “structural” deficit, and you want to limit our options by pushing through what some reports say are more favorable work rules? (My initial and cynical assumption was that the contracts would bring higher public employee pay, but it appears they are actually being responsible on that point) The rest of my concerns still hold.
Are you looking to make Gov.-Elect Scott Walker’s day by basically forcing him to make deeper cuts and more layoffs than already envisioned?
Did you not get the rather strong message sent by voters who turned Wisconsin from Democratic blue to Republican red in one fell swoop?
Do you relish the prospect of permanent minority status? That’s the bruising you’re cruising for.
At least tell us what’s in these contracts — and specify the cost to the state and taxpayers — before you even consider casting a vote.
This fiscal blindness is precisely the reason Wisconsin voters slapped you from Sturtevant to Superior. So at a time when private sector workers have seen their wages and benefits stagnate or worse — those who are fortunate enough to still be working — what do you propose to do to the people who pay the bills?
Pour salt on the wound, apparently.
I’d love to give state workers a better deal … when economic conditions warrant. In case you haven’t noticed, we’re in deeper than the trapped Chilean miners. They’ve finally seen the light of day. When will you?
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