How can Walker cut almost $1 billion from education without affecting the education of each and every child of Wisconsin? That is the question asked by many in reference to Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker's Budget "Repair" Plan. How will Wisconsin continue to attract the best and brightest teachers when public schools do not offer competitive salaries, and teachers are not given a voice for their students? Many believe that Scott Walker's plan will essentially close our community schools.
But there is more. Months after February 11th, when Walker introduced his Bill, he is still being compared to the man with the mustache, Adolph Hitler.
Rabbi Brad Hirschfield of Fox News writes, "Is Scott comparable to Hitler? Is President Obama? Despite the fact that the obvious answer to each of those question is no, a surprising number of people fail to make the distinction.
The most recent example of our seemingly endless national appetite for Hitler comparisons has travelled from Madison, Wisconsin, to the floor of Congress. In both places, comparing Governor Scott Walker to Adolph Hitler and Walker’s stand against the public employees’ unions to Nazi public policy is apparently acceptable" (Hirschfield).
To Americans, Hitler is immediately synonymous with evil; and this fight is about something deeper -- it’s about us, about the death of proportionality in American culture. And although I disagree with Walker's tirade, it is my opinion that comparing him to Hitler is just ignorant-- and a terrible message for our children. What do you think??
A few highlights of the ever controversial Walker Budget "Repair" Bill...
Pension contributions
Requires employees who pay into the Wisconsin Retirement System to contribute 50 percent of their annual pension payment. That amount is estimated to be 5.8% of salary in 2011.
Health insurance contributions
Requires state employees to pay at least 12.6% of the average cost of annual premiums. Require changes to the plan design necessary to reduce current premiums by 5%. Local employers participating in the Public Employers Group Health Insurance plan would be prohibited from paying more than 88% of the lowest cost plan.
Collective bargaining
Makes various changes to limit collective bargaining for most public employees to wages. Total wage increases could not exceed a cap based on inflation unless approved by referendum. Contracts would be limited to one year and wages would be frozen until a new contract is settled. Collective bargaining units are required to take annual votes to maintain certification as a union. Employers would be prohibited from collecting union dues, and members of collective bargaining units would not be required to pay dues. Changes would be effective upon expiration of existing contracts. Law enforcement, fire employees and state troopers and inspectors would be exempt from the changes.
Limited term employees
Prohibits LTEs from being eligible for health insurance or participation in the Wisconsin Retirement System.
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