The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel printed an editorial by Gov. Scott Walker today. If you have the stomach for it, the entire editorial can be found here here.
But here's the part that has me fuming:
While other states are cutting billions from schools, local governments and universities without assistance, we are giving them the tools to balance budgets now and in the future.
His budget is cutting billions from schools, local governments, and universities - just like many "other states." The "assistance" he's referring to isn't increased state aid or increased funding of any kind. He simply cuts the compensation for all public employees. Compensation, including health insurance and pension contributions, that have been negotiated fairly with governing bodies. (In the case of teachers in Wisconsin, negotiations were decidedly unfair for the past 2 decades, as state law eliminated arbitration and allowed school districts to offer "take it or leave it" contracts).
This is his idea of "assistance".
But, it is not enough to sharply cut compensation. Collective bargaining has to go as well. I'm a retired teacher, and I know exactly what this means for education. Teachers will have no voice in how their students will be educated. Think about that. All agree that teachers are the "difference makers" in education, but according to Walker they have "too much influence" on the job they've devoted their lives to doing well. What utter crap.
But even this is not enough!
Many local governments and school districts are concerned that compensation decreases will not offset the reductions in state aid.
"Tool Time to the Rescue!"
Walker's gift to local governments is the ability to screw the public employees even more! They get the wonderful opportunity to do the rest of Walker's dirty work for him! What a deal!
How does it work? Here's Cullen Werwie, Walker spokesman,
"In terms of the savings, without the collective bargaining, municipalities are free to pursue any number of options to reduce costs," such as lower-cost health insurance plans and higher co-pays. "We believe the estimates we released are a floor rather than a ceiling for savings."
12% insurance contribution not enough? Make it 20% and save even more money! 30 students in a classroom isn't cost effective enough? Raise class sizes to 35 or 40! $2,000 family deductible not enough? Make it $5,000!
Wait a minute. What if some local governments and school districts don't want to reduce services and programs? Sorry, raising local or property taxes is not in the "toolkit."
But, of course, none of this will have any effect on the quality of public services. "We value the work of our public employees!"
Unbelievable.