The Way I See It!
I am an Ultra-Conservative, Alpha-Male, True Authentic Leader, Type "C" Personality, who is very active in my community; whether it is donating time, clothes or money for Project Concern or going to Common Council meetings and voicing my opinions. As a blogger, I intend to provide a different viewpoint "The way I see it!" on various world, national and local issues with a few helpful tips & tidbits sprinkled in.
From the Inbox - The Walker Budget & SM Wal-Mart
Randy where are you?????????
I hear your friend Weber talk about you on the radio by not a peep from you! What is the deal?
Well try this one on for size. How do you feel about Governor Scott Walker’s budget fix? I say it is about time those gov workers feel the pinch that we all in the private sector and us on fixed incomes. I don’t want to hear from those gov workers that we cannot take this and we have a union. Government workers are 80% liberal, 10% moderate, and 10% conservative. We all know that libs are ok with others taking a cut as long as it doesn’t affect them. If it does then hold the horses and you will see that even the mods and the so called cons for which I say they aren’t real conservatives or they would see the big picture, but it is the generation of me ME ME!
You are too young to remember the air traffic controller’s conflict. Let these cry baby gov workers quit in masses and try to find jobs that pay them what they are getting now including all their benies.
They are all talk, they will not leave because they know first they will not get jobs because the jobs aren’t there and for every gov worker that quits 40 out of work people will be after that job that the gov workers says they cannot leave on.
No one wants their pay cuts or take home less but we cannot keep on this path of big government and cuts that are painful will happen. For the last 10 years it has happen in the private sector and now it is the gov workers turn. Isn’t it the government worker/liberals that say everyone should feel the stick and take the hit and not it is their turn and it is the end of the world. It isn’t they will adjust just like the rest of us.
Sorry to everyone that I haven’t been blogging or emailing back, but I am working two jobs and have plenty of extended family issues that just keeps coming one after another.
How do I feel about the budget fix? I am torn because I have a close friend that this affects. I understand the intent of the fix and I do think something has to be done with this out of control government. I don’t like to talk about people’s home life. My friend calls this the nuclear option. I see his point and wish I had the answer. I just know talking out my personal feelings and if he wasn’t affected I would be totally for it. I have taken a big hit myself in the past and know how it hurts.
Scott Walker answers questions about the budget on Jay Weber’s show including those that feel why he exempted police and firefighters and how it wasn’t pay back since only 4 union groups supported
Listen To Jay’s Podcast
Click Here: Scott Walker on his plan to have state workers contribute to their pension plans
Good afternoon Randy
I hope all is going well
I was wondering if Walmart has finalized plans in
Is Target still looking to relocate from Chase?
As far as I have heard, the Wal-Mart is still moving forward.
From the Milwaukee Journal “Walmart proposals lambasted, lauded”
From South Milwaukee Alderman Erik Brooks that responses are 2 to 1 in favor of Wal-Mart.
As far as Target, I was told it is on hold, but they still want to move the store into Bay View.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
From a reader in email including the youtube link
“Randy a lot of misinformation is floating around about what Governor Walker is proposing and you please include this vital information to help clearup this misinformation”
A Message from Governor Scott Walker
Governor Scott Walker
State of
Thank you for your service to your state and your fellow citizens. I know that you have worked hard during this economic downturn to ensure that our citizens continue to receive great service, despite our state having fewer and fewer resources. I, like all Wisconsinites, am grateful for your professionalism and commitment to public service.
Like almost every state across the nation, our state faces some very serious and undeniable financial challenges. Over the last three months, I have worked diligently to review the status of our state finances and to put forward a plan that balances our budget now and will create stability in future budgets.
Many of you are aware of the immediate challenges facing our state. In the current fiscal year which ends on
Looking to the future, our challenges are even greater. Over the next two years, the State of
While some of these financial challenges may be attributed to the slowing of our economy, the reality is that these problems were exacerbated by poor budgeting decisions approved and promoted by past elected leaders, Republicans and Democrats alike. By relying on the use of one-time money, segregated fund raids, and increases in taxes and fees, past leaders have focused on short term solutions without looking toward the future.
While these decisions may have appeared to be the easiest solution, or the path of least resistance, the bills for these decisions have come due and the path to long term financial solvency for our state requires shared sacrifices from everyone.
Today, I am introducing a Budget Repair Bill to address our current fiscal year deficit of $136.7 million. Later this month, I will introduce my 2011-2013 Biennial Budget proposal to address the pending $3.6 billion deficit.
The Budget Repair Bill will include a number of reform measures focused on bringing government employee benefits closer to the private sector, including:
Pension Contributions – Currently, state, school district and municipal employees who are members of the
Health Insurance Contributions – Currently, state employees pay approximately 6 percent of annual health insurance premiums. This bill requires that state employees, again including myself and my cabinet officers, pay at least 12 percent of monthly premiums, which is still less than half of what the private sector pays. In addition, the bill directs the Group Insurance Board to implement changes to health insurance plan designs to further reduce premiums by 5 percent and will implement health risk assessments for all state employees beginning on
Collective Bargaining – Given the above changes, the bill also makes various changes to limit collective bargaining to the base pay rate. Total increases cannot exceed the Consumer Price Index (CPI) unless approved by a referendum. Contracts will be limited to one year and wages will be frozen until the new contract is settled. Collective bargaining units will have to take annual votes to maintain certification as a union. Employers will be prohibited from collecting union dues and members of collective bargaining units will not be required to pay dues. These changes take effect upon the expiration of existing contracts. Local police and fire employees and State Patrol Troopers and Inspectors are exempted from these changes.
Collectively, these changes will result in savings of approximately $30 million in the remaining few months of the current fiscal year.
In the days ahead, some may attempt to misrepresent these reform measures, spreading inaccurate or misleading information. To ensure that you know the facts, I would like to proactively address these issues.
Furloughs – Over the last several years, state employees have been required to take furloughs resulting in an across the board pay cut of approximately 3 percent. The Budget Repair Bill and my 2011-2013 Biennial Budget proposal will not include additional furlough days for state employees.
Layoffs – Without the pension and health care reforms described above, saving $30 million over the last three months of the current fiscal year would require laying-off more than 1,500 state government employees. By implementing these reforms, the provisions contained in both my Budget Repair Bill and my 2011-13 Biennial Budget proposal are focused on avoiding layoffs for state employees.
Vacation and Sick Leave Policy – Recent news stories have suggested that I am considering altering the state’s vacation or sick leave policy. The Budget Repair Bill and my 2011-13 Biennial Budget proposal will not include any provisions to alter or modify state employees’ vacation or sick leave policy. In addition, benefits currently accrued by any state employees will not be altered in any way.
Last week in my State of the State Address, I shared my belief that government employees are among some of the most honest, hard working, dedicated, professional workers in this state. I sincerely believe that.
We all recognize that these are historic times that require us to rethink how government operates. I ask that we continue to work together to do what is necessary to bring the state’s spending in line with our taxpayers’ ability to pay.
Sincerely,
Governor Scott Walker
This site uses Facebook comments to make it easier for you to contribute. If you see a comment you would like to flag for spam or abuse, click the "x" in the upper right of it. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use.