Public sector employees and unions continue to descend on Madison to protest the budget repair bill, that calls for public sector employees to contribute five percent to their pension and 12 percent to their healthcare in order to allow the state to pay its bills for fiscal 2011 and lay a foundation for the 2011-2013 budgets.  If the budget repair bill does not pass, Wisconsin faces a grim future of even tougher decisions and hardship.

To address a shortfall in Wisconsin Medical Assistance programs, the budget repair bill offers more than $30 million in GPR savings over a three-month period by requiring state employees to contribute to their pensions and healthcare at the levels described above.  To realize this savings within the medical assistance programs themselves would require: 

• Eliminating services for 194,539 children; or
• Eliminating services for 92,599 adults; or
• Eliminating services for 16,284 elderly, blind or disabled persons. (Source: Secretary Smith memo, 2/8/11)

If the budget repair bill doesn’t pass, the state would then also be forced to look at laying off more than 5500 state employees to save $30 million GPR over three months.  The budget repair bill and the 2011-13 Biennial Budget doesn’t contain any wage cuts, any lay-offs and has no furloughs for state employees.  There were eight furlough days in the last budget.

Clearly, Wisconsin is facing a fiscal crisis.  During the recession, public sector employees have been largely protected from budget cuts, and haven’t had to make the same sacrifices that so many private sector employees were forced to make.  As Wisconisn tries to economically rebound, its only fair to expect public employees to carry their share of the burden.

February 16, 2011-Today the Assembly may vote on the budget repair bill that has generated massive protests in Madison by public sector employees and their unions.  The uproar is over the fact that the bill would have government workers contribute five percent toward their pensions, about the national average, and pay 12 percent of the cost of their healthcare, about half the national average.  Continue Reading »

According to the Wisconsin State Journal, Madison Metropolitan School District Superintendent had to close school on Wednesday “after 40% of the 2,600 members of the teachers union had called in sick and more were expected to do so through Wednesday morning.” Forty percent of 2,600 teachers is 1,040 teachers taking a paid “sick day” to protest.

So how much might it cost Madison area taxpayers for their teachers to go protest at the capital over having to contribute to their pension and healthcare like the rest of us?

According to the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, the average salary in the Madison Metropolitan School District is $52,022 per year before benefits. Teachers in Wisconsin have about 180 days of instruction. Therefore, Madison teachers make about $289 per work day.

If 1,040 teachers receive payment for their sick day, Madison area taxpayers will have paid protesting teachers nearly $300,571 on Wednesday, while their children lost a day of education.

As of Tuesday, the Superintendent in Madison has said that teacher’s will be docked pay if they do not submit proper doctor’s approval. Don’t count on it.

 

This might be just the beginning of public employees holding our children and vital services hostage at the behest of union bosses.

 

February 16, 2011-Today the legislator is set to vote on Gov. Walker’s controversial budget repair bill.  A feature of the bill is the changes that will occur for individuals in unions and receiving public sector benefits.  Protests have raged all week in Madison as these public sector employees and unions try and defend and retain the status quo.  But what is the status quo costing you, the average Wisconsin taxpayer?  Here are some startling statistics:

• In 2001 taxpayers contributed $423 million dollars to state employee health insurance premiums, while in 2010 taxpayers contributed more than $1 billion dollars. In 2010, state employees paid $64 million toward their health insurance, or about 5.6% of the total cost. (ETF Health Care Analysis)
• From 2001 to 2010 taxpayers spent more than $8 billion dollars on state employee health care coverage—over the same period of time state employees contributed about $398 million. (ETF Health Care Analysis)
• Public employers contributed almost $1.37 billion to the state’s pension fund in 2009, while employees contributed about $8 million, or about 0.6%. (LFB paper 84 Wisconsin Retirement System, Table 28)
• From 2000 to 2009 taxpayers spent about $12.6 billion on public employee pensions, during the same period public employees contributed $55.4 million. (LFB paper 84 Wisconsin Retirement System, Table 28)
• When looking at state operations, state employees account for about 60% of taxpayer cost—77% of state operations for the UW are employees, 70% for corrections, 63% for health services. (State Budget Office Memo 2-9-11)
• Wisconsin taxpayers currently make nearly a 100% payment for the employee portion of the public sector pension contribution.  Illinois and Indiana taxpayers contribute the entire employee portion as well, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota and Ohio pay 0% of the employee contribution. (State Budget Office Memo 2-9-11)
• Public employees in Wisconsin are vested in the retirement system immediately, while in Illinois it takes 8 years, 10 years in Indiana, 4 years in Iowa, 10 years in Michigan, 3 years in Minnesota, and 5 years in Ohio. (State Budget Office Memo 2-9-11)
• Taxpayers spent $733 million of general purpose revenue on fringe benefits for state employees in fiscal year 2010. (State Budget Office Memo 2-9-11)
• Fringe benefits made up 25.6% of school district expenditures in 2008-09. (State Budget Office Memo 2-9-11)
• The average Wisconsin state employee compensation (salary and fringe benefits) in 2010-11 was $76,500. (Source: Fiscal Burea memo, 1/10/11)

• Employee salary and fringe benefits comprises more than 60% of state government GPR operations costs. (Source: State Budget Office)

• The average Wisconsin teacher compensation (salary and fringe benefits) in 2009-10 was $74,844. (Source: Department of Public Instruction website)

• Employee salary and fringe benefits comprise 75% of total school district expenditures statewide. (Source: State Budget Office)

• Wisconsin taxpayers pay over $1 billion per year for state government employee health insurance, more than double what was paid only 10 years ago. The employees themselves pay only 6% of that amount. (Source: Department of Employee Trust Funds)

• State and local governments combined paid more than $1.3 billion in contributions to the Wisconsin Retirement System in 2009. Employees contributed only 0.6% of this amount. (Source: Legislative Fiscal Bureau Informational Paper 84)

This week The Joint Finance committee is set to begin public hearings on Governor Scott Walker’s proposed budget repair bill with possible action by the legislator as early as Thursday. The fast-tracked bill is designed to address the state budget and its anticipated $137 million shortfall this year and up to $3.6 billion shortfall over the next two years. Clearly, with such a fiscal problem facing the state, strong measures need to be taken and there will be groups unhappy with the outcome. However, tough times call for tough choices. It’s important that conservatives stand united on fixing Wisconsin’s budget crisis.

Media Trackers urges constituents to remind their representatives why they voted for them in the first place by calling and emailing their representatives to stand firm on fixing the budget crisis. There are several conservative legislators throughout the state that campaigned and won based on their strong fiscal stance, that now appear to be hesitant to make the hard decisions the state needs to weather its fiscal crisis. These legislators especially need to hear that the people expect them to stand up for the fiscal conservative values they were elected upon.

Mike Ellis- Wisconsin Senate President, Senate District 19, FoxValley/Menasha 

What he’s said:

“What we need to do is get rid of that debt and do it in one year.”

 ”To accomplish that, there are a number of things that are going to have to be done. Everybody’s going to have to take less.”

“No. Our school systems are going to have do a belt-tightening, just like the state’s got to do.”

SOURCE: http://www.postcrescent.com/article/20101116/APC06/101115201/Burning-Questions-New-Wisconsin-Senate-president-Mike-Ellis-says-deficit-can-be-solved-in-two-years

 

Contact Mike Ellis: or 608-266-0718

 

Van Wanggaard- Senate District 47, Racine

What he’s said:

“Irresponsible spending at the state level has reached epic proportions.”

“Restore cuts to municipalities”

“But through “nickel and dime-ing” Wisconsin residents, we have become a state with cash-strapped residents who are unable to pump money back into our struggling state economy. “

SOURCE: http://www.voteforvan.com/on-the-issues.html

Contact Van Wanggaard: or 608-266-1832

 

Sheila Harsdorf- Senate District 10

 What she’s said:

 ”In his first State of the State address, Governor Scott Walker outlined his vision for Wisconsin and stressed the importance of getting our fiscal house in order.  I agree with the Governor that in the face of our current serious budget deficit, we must change the way government works to create a leaner, more efficient state government for the taxpayers of our state.  The Governor expressed readiness to make the hard decisions necessary to get Wisconsin back on track.  I look forward to working with the Governor and my legislative colleagues to pass a fiscally responsible state budget.”

SOURCE: http://legis.wisconsin.gov/senate/sen10/news/Press/2011/pr2011-004.asp

Contact Shelia Harsdorf: or 608-266-7745

 

Luther Olsen- Senate District 14, Ripon

What he’s said:

“The concept is pretty radical. It affects a lot of good working people, ” said Olsen. Olsen said he could support the changes on pensions and health care but had reservations about taking away other bargaining rights.

In 2007-2008, Based on a point system, with points assigned for actions in support of or in opposition to Wisconsin AFL-CIO‘s position, Senator Olsen received a rating of 45.  This means he sided with their position nearly half the time.

SOURCE: http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/115726754.html, http://www.votesmart.org/issue_rating_category.php?can_id=3524

Contact Luther Olsen: or 608-266-0751

Dan Kapanke- Senate District 32, La Crosse

What he’s said:

“This is a time to face reality and recognize that there will be a new way of doing business in the state. We must all sacrifice in order to address the budget shortfall and deficit.”

“The time has come to act decisively in setting a strategy of fiscal responsibility. Businesses and families have adapted to the new reality of less spending and now leaders in Madison will have to do the same. Leaders are expected to make tough decisions during difficult times. I look forward to fulfilling the expectations of the people I serve and working to help Wisconsin become a prosperous and economically competitive state once again.”

SOURCE: http://wispolitics.com/index.iml?Article=225456

Contact Dan Kapanke: or 608-266-5490

 

 

 

 

 

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel endorsed Chris Abele for Milwaukee County Executive believing Abele “has the best chance to fix what’s broken.” The endorsement heaps praise on Abele’s experience and vision, declaring that he could be a “game changer.”

“His vision for setting aside parochial interests and working together is admirable.”

It appears that the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has fallen for Abele’s $800,000 campaign of deception. Last week, Media Trackers uncovered just how bipartisan Abele is. The highlights include:

• Continue Reading »

Both JoAnne Kloppenburg and Marla Stephens are positioning themselves as non-partisan candidates for state Supreme Court, but both women have repeatedly funded Democratic candidates over the years – and have given money only to the justices who make up the liberal wing on the highest court.

Neither woman has donated to a Republican candidate, according to campaign finance records.

Kloppenburg has also contributed on the federal level – again, only to Democrats, donating $3,500 to Democratic Senator Russ Feingold over the years, and $200 to Democratic Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin, according to campaign records.

Neither woman has ever donated to a justice identified as offering a moderate or conservative judicial philosophy.

Both have donated money to liberal Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson – Kloppenburg has donated to Abrahamson twice (she also once interned for Abrahamson), and Stephens has donated to Abrahamson’s campaigns six times.

Stephens also funded the campaigns of Louis Butler and Ann Walsh Bradley, while Kloppenburg donated money to unsuccessful liberal Supreme Court candidate Linda Clifford.

Stephens, a long-time public defender, has publically denounced partisanship on the court by a “block of four justices who call themselves conservative.” and Kloppenburg told the Capital Times that she would be “impartial” and “independent” – while also bashing incumbent Justice David Prosser’s conservatism (and citing Democrat Kathleen Falk as a supporter).

Stephens told the Capital Times: “I believe we need a Supreme Court justice who puts partisan politics aside and is willing to serve as an independent check and balance on the other branches of government, regardless of which party is in power.”

Yet both woman’s donations show their own political bias – toward putting and keeping Democrats in power, according to a review of state and federal campaign finance records. Together, their donations add up to more than $4,500 to state candidates (Kloppenburg has also given $3,700 to the federal Democratic candidates; Stephens has not donated to federal candidates).

Both women backed Democratic governor Jim Doyle. Kloppenburg donated to Doyle a whopping eight times – Doyle was her most favored state candidate over the years. Stephens contributed to his campaign twice.

Both women also gave money to Democratic Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett’s campaign for governor.

Kloppenburg gave money to Kathleen Falk, with whom she worked closely while Falk was the Department of Justice Public Intervenor – a position ultimately eliminated by Republican lawmakers for its zealous enforcement of environment laws at the expense of homeowners and businesses (her campaign manager is Falk’s former campaign manager). And Stephens helped fund the campaigns of Democratic Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager.

They’ve also both dabbled in funding legislative Democrats’ campaigns. Kloppenburg gave money to the Assembly Democratic Campaign Committee and Stephens to the Senate Democratic Campaign Committee (twice).

Stephens has also donated to select Democratic legislators, including Gary George and Brian Burke, both now convicted criminals, and Democratic lawmaker Lena Taylor. She also funded a Democratic running against Republican lawmaker Tom Reynolds.

“Impartiality is imperative in the judicial system. Where a candidate chooses to spend their money and impart their support speaks to their personal belief system and can reflect in any decision they make on the court,” said Dena Rochwerger-Braun, Media Trackers Communication Director. “It’s important that Wisconsin voters know the facts before they go to the polls.”

Supreme Court candidate, Joanne Kloppenburg stresses to the media that she wants to be “independent” and “impartial.” Yet, she turned to a top Democratic strategist to run her campaign.

 

Kloppenburg’s campaign manager, Melissa Mulliken, has run a series of prominent Democratic campaigns in Wisconsin. An article in the Madison Isthmus newspaper labeled Mulliken “a longtime consultant to Democratic candidates.” (March 18, 2010). Mulliken’s past clients have included the following Democratic officials:

  Continue Reading »

Supreme Court candidate Marla Stephens’ website says her work with the public defenders’ office is “preeminent among her career accomplishments.” But what she doesn’t highlight to voters is the fact that her accomplishments include her repeated efforts to protect the rights of convicted child molesters.

In one court brief that Stephens co-authored, she expressed the state public defender office’s “grave concerns” that community and governmental opposition to sexual predator releases (especially by Republican lawmakers) would “thwart” the ability for the predators to live in the community.

In an article in the Capital Times, Stephens admitted she would probably be cast as “soft on crime” because of her public defender work.

Continue Reading »

Supreme Court Candidate, and state environmental law enforcer JoAnne Kloppenburg, has had many aspirations to move beyond the state Justice Department.
And many rejections.

In 2009, she applied for a seat on the Wisconsin court of appeals. She didn’t get picked. (Oct. 21, 2009, Wisconsin State Journal).

A few months earlier, she applied for an open federal judgeship. She didn’t get that either. (April 22, 2009, Associated Press).

In 2004, she threw her hat in the ring to be Madison city attorney. She didn’t get that appointment, either. (Feb. 28, 2004, Wisconsin State Journal).

The year before that, she tried to get Gov. Jim Doyle to appoint her to another seat on the court of appeals. He picked someone else. (July 25, 2003, Capital Times).

Now she wants voters to do what several reviewers and a governor would not: Make her a judge.