Capitol Report
By State Representative, Leon D. Young
Leon D. Young
In little less than two weeks, Wisconsin has earned the dubious distinction of becoming the 25th right-to-work (RTW) state in the nation. In retrospect, it was an all-out press by the Republicans, who literally rammed this legislation down the throats of organized labor and their Democratic representatives.
There’s no denying the fact that passage of this legislation was a major victory for the manufacturers in the state, and another severe blow for unions and their workers, which adamantly opposed this measure. Scott Walker and his cohorts continue to insist that right-to-work is “one more big tool” for attracting businesses and investment to the state.
However, in the 24 other states that have enacted right-to-work laws, there has been no real groundswell of new businesses or investment.
In reality, the objective of this legislation was always twofold.
First, to further compromise the viability of organized labor, by not requiring private-sector workers to pay union fees. And second, to drive down the wages for all workers, in an effort to make the state more attractive to new businesses.
When Walker was first elected, he boldly declared that “Wisconsin is Open For Business.”
But unfortunately, he’s making good on that promise as apparent by his gubernatorial record to date.
In recent days, Walker has intimated a rash of new initiatives – all of which will be extremely contentious.
For instance, the governor recently stated that he would be willing to sign a bill to prohibit abortions after 20 weeks. In the same vein, Scott Walker is now offering his support for legislation that would eliminate Wisconsin’s 48-hour period for hand gun purchases.
Moreover, the word is now on streets that the Republicans are planning to pursue changes to the state’s 84-year-old prevailing wage law, which requires set wages for workers on public jobs.
One thing is now certain, Scott Walker is running for president; and the state of Wisconsin is the next casualty of his blind, ruthless ambition.