A Tale Of Two Governors
In the 2010 Tea Party Takeover, the most notable are the several conservative governors. In particular is Wisconsin's Scott Walker, who also presides over a Republican State Assembly and Senate.
Seemingly with control of all state government, you would think Republicans have a mandate, particularly over the budget, the primary focus of all people but especially conservatives.
But apparently, not all Wisconsinites agree:
The protests have gathered momentum. Schools in Madison are now closed for the second day in the row due to 40% of the teachers calling in sick, and many of the students who are now free are also in attendance. The firefighters, who are exempt from cuts (for now), are offering their support. Even the Green Bay Packers are supporting the protesters.
Governor Walker certainly sent no roses when his "budget repair bill", besides the deep cuts, severely limited collective bargaining for unions.
While the unions have made concessions and will probably have to make more, taking away their right to bargain is about as conciliatory as, let's say, alerting the Wisconsin National Guard to respond to the protests?
However, I think there are concessions which unions can make, particularly a change in the pension structure and teacher tenure. But it should be an agreement between the public unions and their employers, the state government.
Take Governor Chris Christie of New Jersey. Their legislature is controlled by the Democrats, so he does not have the sweeping power that Governor Scott.
Christie, a charismatic as well as pugnacious figure, has curried favor with Cory Booker, the well-known Democratic Mayor of Newark, and has a good working relationship with the most powerful Democrat, State Senate President Stephen Sweeney.
You might have seen this video, Governor Christie Responds To Teacher During Town Hall. It is well celebrated in conservative circles, and as a practiced, uh, arguer myself, I enjoy his calm and educated style.
But most importantly, Christie was at a Town Hall to discuss these matters, not handing down laws and then wrapping himself in rhetoric like "he wants to end collective bargaining for nearly all public employees because the state is broke and there's no point negotiating with the unions when there is nothing to offer."
It is an unimaginative and arrogant response to a huge budget crisis, showing an unwillingness to negotiate by trying to remove the right to negotiate.
2010 was a typical midterm election where the minority party makes gains. America is in economic despair, and inevitably, there are people who take advantage of the weakest, and unions are the target.
But what is not so obvious to Republicans is the Tea Party fervor is only temporary. The economy is improving, people are getting rehired, and business is maybe not booming, but it is not failing either.
What conservatives will learn from Wisconsin is that they do not have a mandate. Public unions represent millions of workers who also vote, and there are many more who support the work that teachers, nurses, and other public workers do.
You cannot bull them over, even at their weakest moment. Republicans have to work with the unions, or they will suffer the enormous backlash we are witnessing in Madison.
The Highlights of Gov. Walker's budget repair bill
Seemingly with control of all state government, you would think Republicans have a mandate, particularly over the budget, the primary focus of all people but especially conservatives.
But apparently, not all Wisconsinites agree:
The protests have gathered momentum. Schools in Madison are now closed for the second day in the row due to 40% of the teachers calling in sick, and many of the students who are now free are also in attendance. The firefighters, who are exempt from cuts (for now), are offering their support. Even the Green Bay Packers are supporting the protesters.
Governor Walker certainly sent no roses when his "budget repair bill", besides the deep cuts, severely limited collective bargaining for unions.
While the unions have made concessions and will probably have to make more, taking away their right to bargain is about as conciliatory as, let's say, alerting the Wisconsin National Guard to respond to the protests?
However, I think there are concessions which unions can make, particularly a change in the pension structure and teacher tenure. But it should be an agreement between the public unions and their employers, the state government.
Take Governor Chris Christie of New Jersey. Their legislature is controlled by the Democrats, so he does not have the sweeping power that Governor Scott.
Christie, a charismatic as well as pugnacious figure, has curried favor with Cory Booker, the well-known Democratic Mayor of Newark, and has a good working relationship with the most powerful Democrat, State Senate President Stephen Sweeney.
You might have seen this video, Governor Christie Responds To Teacher During Town Hall. It is well celebrated in conservative circles, and as a practiced, uh, arguer myself, I enjoy his calm and educated style.
But most importantly, Christie was at a Town Hall to discuss these matters, not handing down laws and then wrapping himself in rhetoric like "he wants to end collective bargaining for nearly all public employees because the state is broke and there's no point negotiating with the unions when there is nothing to offer."
It is an unimaginative and arrogant response to a huge budget crisis, showing an unwillingness to negotiate by trying to remove the right to negotiate.
2010 was a typical midterm election where the minority party makes gains. America is in economic despair, and inevitably, there are people who take advantage of the weakest, and unions are the target.
But what is not so obvious to Republicans is the Tea Party fervor is only temporary. The economy is improving, people are getting rehired, and business is maybe not booming, but it is not failing either.
What conservatives will learn from Wisconsin is that they do not have a mandate. Public unions represent millions of workers who also vote, and there are many more who support the work that teachers, nurses, and other public workers do.
You cannot bull them over, even at their weakest moment. Republicans have to work with the unions, or they will suffer the enormous backlash we are witnessing in Madison.
The Highlights of Gov. Walker's budget repair bill
A week later, Gov. Walker has shown no sign that he is going to budge. He has scheduled "A Fireside Chat". I wonder about his political skill with tens of thousands of angry constituents encamped on his doorstep, and he plans on putting another log onto the fireplace and spinning a warm tale to enthrall his listeners.
ReplyDeleteEven if he never changes his tune, this is serious business to the people of his state, and I doubt either side wants to see their governor snuggled in for the night.
http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/116595118.html
And Walker was right. The union thugs lost.
ReplyDelete