Harmful Right to Work Proposals Being Considered in Wisconsin

This week, Republicans held an emergency session for the purpose of introducing Right to Work (RTW) legislation. Despite Gov. Walker's having called RTW a "distraction" earlier in the year, he has suddenly turned about-face, and is ready to sign legislation should it reach his desk.

But the distraction is not why I oppose this legislation. I oppose it because of the real negative impacts it will have on La Crosse families and individuals. On a large scale, it will lead to lower wages across private and public sectors. Lower wages would affect our economy as a whole, significantly decreasing household contributions to our local businesses, and damaging the Wisconsin economy. On a personal level, however, Right to Work can have just as damaging of effects. Right to Work eliminates employees' abilities to negotiate for workplace safety. In Right to Work states, workplace fatalities increase by 51 percent. In Wisconsin this could mean that, for example, nurses would be unable to negotiate their maximum work hours. This could cause a significant issue for both workers and patients - as overworked employees create a grave health concern.

The Senate Labor and and Government Reform Committee held a public hearing on Tuesday, voting on the proposal immediately following the hearing. This quick vote significantly limited the public's ability to sound off on the proposals.

Known effects of RTW cause concern for its implementation in Wisconsin. Not only does this legislation take attention from the effects of the budget, but its implementation would negatively impact every Wisconsinite. Statistics from the Wisconsin Contractor Coalition estimate that, if RTW were implemented in Wisconsin, both state income and revenue would decline. Each year the state could experience a net income loss of between $5.84 and $7.23 billion, and a revenue loss of $289 million.

On average, residents of RTW states receive lower wages, lesser health care coverage, more workplace fatalities, and experience higher levels of poverty compared to pro-worker states.

In recent years (past 2000) only three states have enacted RTW legislation: Indiana, Michigan, and Oklahoma. The most telling effects of RTW can be taken from Oklahoma, as its law has been in effect for enough time to measure a difference. Proposals to adopt RTW center on one core idea: that adopting RTW will bring business to a state. This proposal was touted in Oklahoma, and yet did not prove accurate. After RTW was implemented, the number of new firms relocating to Oklahoma went down by 1/3. Additionally, Oklahoma lost nearly 50,000 manufacturing jobs and its unemployment rate shot up by 3 percent.

Wisconsin is currently #5 in manufacturing in the nation. All Wisconsinites should be hesitant to adopt proposals like RTW that would negatively impact our state's economic standing.

 BadgerCare Funding Proposal Would Save State $241 Million

This week I signed on as a co-author to a bill that would save Wisconsin $241 million. Representative Daniel Riemer and Senator Jon Erpenbach have introduced a bill that would adopt a modified version of federal BadgerCare expansion, modeled after Medicaid expansion in Iowa. This bill would save Wisconsin $241 million over the next two years and impact more than 80,000 Wisconsinites.

For over a year, Wisconsinites have urged Gov. Walker to accept federal funding dollars for BadgerCare. Early estimates indicated that accepting funds would save the state approximately $345 million over the next two years and protect the health care security of nearly 38,000.

After Walker's budget proposal was announced, federal funding became even more lucrative, as it could stop cuts to essential Wisconsin programs like the UW-System and K-12 education.

This week, myself along with Rep. Steve Doyle, Rep. Chris Danou, and Rep. Daniel Riemer spoke on the importance of accepting federal BadgerCare funding in Wisconsin [pictured].

Currently, our tax dollars are going to the federal government and being distributed to other states because he won't take the money. We want our tax dollars back in our state.

February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month

February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. Teen dating violence is a problem affecting youth in every community across the nation. One in three young people are affected by physical, sexual, or verbal dating violence. Unfortunately, this often goes undetected as only 33 percent of teens who are in an abusive relationship ever report abuse.

Representatives Melissa Sargent and Samantha Kerkman have put forth legislation to bring awareness to this important issue. Dating violence has led to violent crimes across the country, including communities in Wisconsin.

This year, Teen Dating Violence Awareness advocates urge Americans to "Break the Cycle," and encourage open discussion between parents and teens about healthy relationships.

To find resources for youth, adults, and communities to raise awareness to this issue, CLICK HERE.