Protests In Wisconsin
 

I didn't see a thread for this already but sorry if I missed it!

I raised this on Monday in the "what do you feel like saying right now" thread but things have changed pretty dramatically since then. I've never seen anything like this in Wisconsin before.

I'll post pictures & info when I have the chance. Here's an article that appeared in the Times that is not at all in-depth but gives a decent overview.

And, our Democratic representatives are MIA; they're boycotting the vote on the bill. See: Search for lawmakers continues.

This is actually going on in Ohio as well, although the protests haven't reached the peak they have in Wisconsin.

http://www.cleveland.com/open/index....hio_state.html

Yeah I've been hearing mumblings of something in Ohio but hadn't seen much coverage. Thanks for the update!

Here's a link to a gallery..."The 45 Best Protest Signs at the Wisconsin Capitol"

I wouldn't be surprised if things don't get bizarre in Michigan too. The new Republican governor just announced his budget plan and it includes more cuts to education, which is really sad. Education has taken the hit repeatedly.

Wisconsin's isn't cutting education. It is severely limiting the collective bargaining units and requiring public employees to contribute 5.6% to their retirement accounts (current contribution is .2%) and 12.8% of their health care premiums (currently 4-6%).

The 'missing' Senators were found down in Rockford, IL. I am not sure when they would be coming back. Personally, that is not cool as they are being paid to do a job and have basically walked off that job. I'm also not happy with the teachers who closed down schools by calling in sick so they could go to the Capitol to protest - that shows the kids really ARE a priority (sarcasm). . . .

Walking out is not something that teachers do lightly. (Or any union I'd say.) I'm fairly union-neutral but acting like it means they don't care or did it for 'fun' or something misses the point entirely.

when unions pay for the buses and over 40% of a school district's teachers (Madison to be precise) call in 'sick' and force the closure of the district for 2 days (probably more), that I have a problem with. I feel there is a time and a place for unions (and I have been a member of two different unions). If private school teachers were to pull that (calling in sick enmass to close schools, etc) they would be fired. Public school teachers might get a slap on the wrist. How is walking off your job so you can protest having to pay more of your health insurance premium and contribute to your retirement account the best interest of your students? Gov. Walker has the National Guard on alert in case the prison guards decide to have a 'sick-in'.

Yes, I have read the entire bill (it's on the state legislature website) and I do approve of it for the betterment of the state. HOWEVER, I am represented by one of the Senators who decided to flee to Rockford, IL (Clock Tower Resort to be specific). She will eventually vote against this bill, which is fine because MOST of the people in this area work in union jobs (paper mills, teachers, city and county employees, University employees, nurses, etc). THAT is our democracy (and no, I didn't vote for her for state senate or her failed attempt this past November for a Congressional seat).

The Madison (to be precise) School District chose to close down, as a district. This was announced to parents and students in advance. The way you describe it makes it seem like teachers just didn't show up, but really the district (and I think at least 16 others in the state) intentionally cancelled school.

The democratic delegation fled to avoid giving the Republican delegation quorum. It's a legitimate way to prevent allowing the bill to go forward. If having quorum is necessary to allow a vote, not showing up is an option.

Really? The front page of today's Journal Sentinel (a paper that endorsed Walker, btw) told a completely different story today.

Actually they have been called to the floor and HAVE to show up. Not showing up is NOT an option. They ran to IL so the Wisconsin State Patrol has no authority to escort them back to work. The funny thing is, for the past 8 years the Democrats have had the majority and the Republican minority never threatened to leave the state to stop a vote for taking place.

And the Madison school district closed the schools because 40% of the teachers called in sick. . . .that's a LOT of subs and most don't have that sort of sub list. If the teachers called in the day/night prior it is easy for the district to make a decision and let the parents know. That sort of system is already in place for snow days. That still does not make it in the best interest of the students for schools to close down like this.

Have you actually READ the bill?! http://legis.wisconsin.gov/

I did. Do you realize what the budget for MPS currently is? Without this proposal?

While I am all for making cuts where necessary, this is not the way to do it.

Should public employees take a cut in these hard economic times? Yes. But there is no reason whatsoever to destroy collective bargaining, union benefits, and educational funding.

In addition, his (and Biddy Martin's) ideas to separate UW system are ridiculous. That's another story though....

Directly from Wisconsin's Senate Website:

http://nxt.legis.state.wi.us/nxt/gat...senate%20rules

So basically, this is NOT unheard of. The Republicans can choose to find the Democrats and "compel" them to attend the session OR adjourn.

Exactly (to your bolded). For someone who claims to have read the bill, Beryana ruined all her(?) credibility by pulling the "children aren't a priority" card.