(MADISON) We knew it was coming. However, the speed at which Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau) has shoved “Right to Work” legislation into next week’s line up was still somewhat of a mystery. Senator Lena C. Taylor (D-Milwaukee), ranking Democrat on the Joint Finance Committee, along with everyone else, now knows the reason for the rush.
Fitzgerald, in a recent interview, said he wanted to move quickly because he had secured the 17 votes necessary to get it passed and worried that if unions started running television ads targeting senators, support could dwindle. “If you are confident that you are doing the right thing, then why would some television ads cause you to loose votes?” questioned Taylor.
Taylor was one of fourteen Democratic legislators who left the state during the politically contentious 2011 Wisconsin Act 10 debate. That measure effectively ended collective bargaining for most public workers. “It is unfortunate that we are here again, but that has been the plan all along. This is a nod to big business, a slap to most working class employees, and a favor to Police and Fire Fighters unions, who will continue not to be held to the same standard as every other worker.
“Fitzgerald reported losing sleep over the possibility of lessening his grip on the 17 votes that will assure Right To Work, is approved in the Senate next week. Many of the workers and legislators, who oppose this bill, will likely be up for many nights to come figuring out how to stop this harmful legislation.”
