Capitol Report
By State Representative, Leon D. Young
Leon D. Young
Given the myriad of salient issues that the next Legislature must confront commencing in January, the GOP’s decision to prioritize passing Right-to-Work legislation simply makes no sense.
However, just last week, Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau) indicated that he was gathering information on so-called right-to-work legislation so that it could be taken up early next year.
The term “right-to-work,” in this context, in an anomaly at best. Or more precisely, a deliberate attempt by the GOP to mislead or deceive the public as to the real legislative intent.
Right-to-work laws – such as those approved in Michigan and Indiana – prohibit employers from striking collective bargaining deals with private-sector unions to require workers to pay dues.
In truth, this type of legislation would not be that much different from Act 10, which sent tens of thousands protesters pouring into the streets of Madison in 2011.
The public discord eventually culminating in recall elections for nine state senators in 2011 (6 Republicans and 3 Democrats) and the governor (2012).
Two Republican state senators (Dan Kapanke and Randy Hopper) were recalled and defeated by Democratic opponents in 2011.
Interestingly enough, newly re-elected Governor Scott Walker, who cosponsored right-to-work legislation in 1993 as a freshman state lawmaker, has publicly called such a measure “distraction.”
One might speculate that Walker remembers all too well the vociferous public outcry to Act 10. As well as, Walker keeping his eyes squarely on the prize – his 2016 presidential prospects.
Unfortunately, if Republicans in the Legislature have their way, lawmakers will once again waste precious time passing “union-busting” legislation, instead of working to create new jobs.
It would seem that the more things change, the more they remain same – especially with the GOP majority in Wisconsin.