Once in a generation struggle

  At approximately 1 a.m. on Feb. 25, the floor of Wisconsin's state assembly erupted in outrage. Gov. Scott Walker's Budget Repair Bill passed. As the triumphant Republicans filed out of the room, the Democratic representatives began furiously chanting "Shame! Shame!" The Republican representatives were escorted out of the building by state troopers for their safety. 

     Said Rep. Robin Vos (R-Rochester), "It's painful. This debate has ripped families apart. It has ripped communities apart. These are tough choices. We're making this decision because this is the best of the bad choices."

     After 60 hours of intense debate about the proposed bill, the Republicans cut off the discussion. It had been the longest debate in the history of the chamber.  When the vote came in, it was 51-17. Later it was realized that in the disorder following the call for vote, almost one-third of the representatives had not voted on the legislation.  

     The Democrats were infuriated at maneuver of the Republicans, calling it "appalling" and questioning whether the majority had followed proper procedure.  

     Majority Leader Scott Suder (R-Abbotsford) affirmed that the Republicans had done nothing wrong, saying that the Democrats had turned the discussion into a filibuster to slow down the legislation. 

     As announced by Gov. Walker on Feb. 11, the main components of the Budget Repair Bill are to restructure the public sector unions.  To cover some of the $3 billion state deficit, the bill will increase the amount state workers are required to contribute to their health care and pension. Republicans claim that the plan is a practical solution to the budget crisis. It will save $30 million over the next few months and $300 million over two years. 

      About 15 percent of the state's annual spending comprises the salaries and benefits of state workers. That percentage does not include the money that is spent on the salaries of employees in local government. 

     Two of Wisconsin's largest state worker unions have said that they will concede these demands, if the bill is revised to allow workers collective bargaining rights. The bill does permit state employees to collectively bargain their wages—but only up to the Consumer Price Index, a measure of inflation. Economists have suggested that this is little more than an empty gesture. 

     The governor refuses to budge on this. Critics of the bill believe the right to collectively bargain is a fundamental human right. It ensures that workers have a say in negations for things such as wages, safety conditions, and sick leave. 

     In an interview about the situation in Wisconsin, President Barack Obama said, "Everybody has got to make some adjustments to new fiscal realities." But he went on to add that he believes taking away collective bargaining rights is "an assault on unions."

     The idea that union busting is the real motive of the bill has caused the most public outcry. Wisconsin has a strong history with unions. One of the largest in the United States was formed in Wisconsin. 

     For almost two weeks, crowds have flooded the streets of Madison. The normally spotless walls of the Capitol building are now covered in signs expressing public fury against the bill. Many are saying political outpouring to defend fundamental rights in Wisconsin is a once-in-a-generation struggle. On Feb. 19, almost 70,000 gathered at the capitol in opposition. The hope is to sway three Republican senators to vote no on the bill. 

      The protesters know that the world is watching; much of the local and national news during the past few weeks has been fixed on the political bedlam in Madison. Some have incorrectly described the protests as "unreasonable" or likened to a "riot." There is no feeling of danger inside the capitol building, only expressions of nonviolence, purpose, and urgency. 

     Demonstrators have been very careful to keep the protest in the capitol building peaceful and civil. But they are determined to make sure the lawmakers do not forget their presence. The sound inside the domed rotunda is deafening. A band of students drum constantly, making noise and pumping energy into the protest. The crowd circling rotunda chants "kill the bill" round the clock. A small group sleeps in the building overnight. 

     Last Friday, the capitol's administrators wanted the protesters to leave the building because of their disruption to the proceedings. However, the police assigned to the capitol refused to act, saying that there was no lawful cause to remove the demonstrators.  In the last few days, the lawmakers are taking efforts to remove the public from the building.  

     In Madison, no group receives more boisterous appreciation than the firefighters and police who have shown solidarity with the state workers. Both groups were excluded from the bill. Many believe this was a move to fragment the state workers. Walker simply stated that he treats firefighters and police differently than other state workers. 

     The Budget Repair Bill is now in the hands of the State Senate. There the bill has hit a definite snag—until the 14 missing democrats return, nothing can be passed. The senators are currently in various out-of-state locations. They have promised to return to the capitol as soon as Gov. Walker is willing to compromise on some of the bill's provisions. 

     Walker, on the other hand, has refused to back down on any part of his proposal. The deal needs to complete by March 16 in order to be included in next year's budget, a process which takes two weeks. That gives the Senate until Tuesday to pass the bill. This explains what many would call Walker's move to force it through legislation. He warned that if the bill isn't passed on time, he will begin issuing layoff notices next week. More than 1,500 state jobs would get the axe between now and July. 

     The aim is to save $30 million by April by either laying off thousands of workers or cutting all state employee's benefits; Walker said he would rather have it be the latter. When asked if they have any alternative methods of saving, the Walker administration admitted that they were not sure. They mentioned cutting health care programs for the poor. 

     Gov. Walker maintains that the state of Wisconsin does not have a choice. He is staying firm in his goal to balance the budget without raising taxes. Walker said, "I'm just trying to balance my budget. Like practically every other state in the country, we're broke. And it's time to pay up."