Governor Scott Walker's budget bill would essentially eliminate collective bargaining rights for most Wisconsin unions. It is an attempt to balance the states budget and fill some of the huge deficit.
The proposed plan has prompted an avalanche of opinions. From the governor to the unions, and activists on either side, it is clear that the controversy strikes deeply for everyone.
But Viterbo's own democratic student body, the Student Government Association (SGA), has remained tactically neutral on the situation. SGA's impartiality mirrors the university's official stance as well, as Viterbo has issued no public statement on the Walker bill either.
However, Josh Kohnhorst, president of SGA and junior business education major from Tomah, did offer his own personal opinions on the matter, "but in no way do I represent the whole of SGA or what we stand for as a body," said Kohnhorst.
Similar to the body of 24 elected students whom Kohnhorst presides over as president, he tries to remain as neutral as possible on controversial issues like the Walker bill, Kohnhorst said.
"I have to understand both sides," Kohnhorst said. "Ultimately we have to balance the budget, and no matter what, it's going to create a lot of mad people, unfortunately in the educational system in this case."
As a future educator, Kohnhorst is likely to lose many of the financial benefits that teaching in Wisconsin has long guaranteed.
The passing of Walker's bill would mean that teachers pay a minimum of 12 percent of their health insurance, an increased payment into their pensions, and no longer have the option of paying their union dues directly from their paychecks.
The larger debate is over the issue of the removal of teachers' collective bargaining rights.
Without bargaining rights, teachers are no longer able to negotiate on issues like:
-Just causes for firings or non-renewed contracts
-Layoffs
-Privatizations of support staff positions
-Reassignments or transfers of teachers from or to any position as long as certification exists
-Changes in health insurance plans, coverage, premiums, co-pays, etc.
-Elimination of retirement provisions
-Changes in sick or maternity/paternity leave
-Shifts of class size, school calendar, or teaching hours.
"As part of democracy, I understand that this happens," said Kohnhorst of the changes, "but personally, I don't see the long term benefits of taking the collective bargaining rights from unions."
Kohnhorst also expressed apprehension on the effect that the bill may have on ACT and SAT score of Wisconsin students.
"Wisconsin is one of the top performers in both the ACT and SAT scores year after year," Kohnhorst said. He suggested that a connection between the scores and security of teachers is probable.
"I want to be an educator. I agree to teacher's sacrifice, because it's a necessary part of being American. But it just seems to be doing damage to the unions more than anything," Kornhorst said, "but I'll remain as neutral as possible, and try to see things as bipartisan as possible."
Bipartisanship thought has not been a very big factor in the discussion, with protestors continuing to flood the capital. Union supporters have been present in Madison for over two weeks, with Walker backers showing up not long after the opening days of protests.
The huge demonstrations, mostly from unions, have captured national interest, with many speculating that the outcome of Wisconsin will set the precedent for other financially strapped states with strong unions.
"I think that protesting is a good way to stand up for education rights, but going against actual education is against our purpose. We need teachers in the classroom teaching," Kohnhorst said.
Most teachers from around the state have returned to their classrooms, as Mary Bell, president of the Wisconsin Education Association Council called on teachers to return back to their classes.
"As Monday and Tuesday roll on, people who are supposed to be in class will be in class, and we will see what the week brings," Bell said.
The return of teachers stands in stark contrast to the prevailing absence of the 14 Democratic senators who left the state Feb. 16 in an effort to slow the Walker bill, which was being hurried through legislation.
The controversial bill was supposed to be signed into law less than a week after it was proposed. Governor Walker insists that there is no time for discussion, because "Wisconsin is broke," he said.
"How is it even possible?" said Kohnhorst of the bill's planned rush through legislation, "its absurd. [The bill] is like 120 pages long, and there was no discussion. I just don't like how fast it was pushed through. They pushed it through because they knew they could, which is sad, its really sad."
Kohnhorst also disapproves of the absent senators though,
"They are prohibbiting democracy. They were elected to fulfill that role," he said, "but I'd like to see some bagaining on both sides. I hope to see some compromise from Gov.Walker."
With no clear end in sight for the political stalemate, the future of Wisconsin's remains unclear.
It's unfortunate. Its really unfortunate," said Kohnhorst of the political situation. "There's just a lot of hate. I don't like that, and it's not helping anyone."
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