As always, please do link, reblog, etc. Wisconsin affairs are
here as usual or
here on DW, previous entries are
here on LJ or
here on DW.
We're adding a couple of states today: Michigan, for some less directly union-related issues and Idaho, for fuckery that snuck up on me and now requires thinking on and looking into. Because I know that's what you all wanted, more states caught up in this collective bargaining whirlwind. Yay. As always, although I don't think I've explicitly stated this here recently, if you have fuckery or just something that should be paid attention to share with us, please do so.
Ohio*
USA Today via Cincinnati Enquirer reports that 2 GOP reps have been replaced on the House committee reviewing the collective bargaining bill. These two reps also sit on a budget committee, and have stated that they wish to give their full attention to that.
*
Ohio News Channel describes Kasich's State of the State address. He says he will not raise taxes, but he wants to create jobs and address sentencing reform and education reform as well as the collective bargaining issue. They also have a
report on protesters against Senate Bill 5.
*
The Columbus Dispatch reports that House Republicans expect the bill to pass easily, and offers examples of further modifications that might be made to the bill.
*
The LA Times provides another description of Kasich's State of the State address, as well as a transcript.
Indiana*
The AFL-CIO announces a rally tomorrow at the Indiana State House building.
*
Local News reports that the out of state Senators might attend, and also that Minority Leader Bauer sent a letter to Majority Leader Bosma seeking clarification of the Republicans' position.
IndyStar confirms and offers more details.
*
This IndyStar Editorial observes that this has grown into more of an overt movement and a stand for beliefs and principles in addition to the political maneuvering.
*
Local News reports that the Senate President Pro Tem believes the Democrats are staying away until they've formed an exit strategy where they can save face.
*
The Post Tribune has a brief description of the Chamber adjourning for the week.
*
The Post Tribune announces a Town Hall meeting for the Indiana House Democrats, information on the link.
New Jersey*
North Jersey dot com describes a report which states the teachers' union spent 6.6 M on an ad campaign against Christie's education cuts.
*
Local New Jersey News also reports that Gov. Christie's poll numbers are dropping over the last couple of weeks.
*
The New Jersey Herald announces public budget hearings, and how to attend them.
*
Currently, the NJ budget proposal would slash education and cut jobs of teachers for the blind.
*
And another article offers fact-checking on Christie's budget boasts.*
Bloomberg Business discusses public opinion of public worker benefits.
Iowa*
The DeMoines Register illustrates what the collective bargaining bill would actually do. It also includes a link to the bill.
*
Forbes reports on Iowans speaking to lawmakers at a Monday hearing on the bill, most of them against it.
The Iowa Independent covers a labor rally yesterday.
*
The Chicago Tribune reports that the Iowa House has opened up debate on the bill.
Michigan*
Once again, the bill text*
Business Insider reports that protesters are demonstrating at Michigan's Capitol building, comparing it to Wisconsin.
*
Detroit Free Press also covers a rally from yesterday.
Tennessee*
Local Tennessee News reports that a bill to prevent teachers unions from voting members onto the state pension board has passed the Senate. A summary paragraph is phrased thusly: "The proposal would transfer the authority to appoint the three teacher members who serve on the Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System's trustee board from the Tennessee Education Association to speakers of the Senate and House, which are both controlled by Republicans."
*
The Times Free Press has more on that bill as well.
*
NPR reports on a teacher rally against anti-union bills.
*
Cookville Times reports on Senate Democrats voicing their concern over these bills.
*
The Republic describes Tennessee business leaders supporting a proposal from Gov. Haslam to make it harder for teachers to get and keep tenure.
Idaho*
Fox News and
Yahoo News report that a bill was just passed into law in Idaho curtailing teachers' collective bargaining rights. The Governor is expected to sign it soon.
*
The Daily Kos goes into some more detail on the bill.
NevadaThere's mention of a Nevada bill running a similar course on Yahoo, as pointed out by a DW commenter, but I can't find anything on a first pass of Nevada press to elaborate. Suggestions, links anyone? Previously used google terms are "Nevada" "collective bargaining" I love my source.
*
SB 78 - which is mostly a transparency requirement, making collective bargaining procedures available to the public so they don't seem so shrouded in mystery, though it allows for the temporary freeze on raises and promotions if there is no money. However any such freezes must be revisited & addressed upon the renewal of the agreement.
*
SB 41 - Eliminates mandatory collective bargaining. This is the one that is liable to be the most controversial. It's from the governor. It says local governments can bargain with unions, but they don't have to do so. However, [in the words of my source] the Democrats still hold power here, and they got elected by unions--they won't shoot themselves that much in the foot and lose what little power they have left.
*
S.B. 162 - Eliminates 2 things that are required to be bargained about--how layoff are done and the policies for transferring teachers, but leaves everything else in place.
* And there are murmurings of other things to come, but so far that's all they are, murmurings.
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