Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker Facing Recall

Wisconsin governor facing recall after workers collect 1m petition signatures World news guardian.co.uk


 

Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker faces recall after more than one million signatures were gathered to recall the governor by Tuesday's deadline, which is roughly double the 540, 208 signatures required.  Last year he favored a bill which would change how much public sector workers would contribute toward their health insurance.   Last year there was a swarm of protests in Wisconsin over Scott Walker's proposal to make federal workers contribute more to their health insurance and pensions.  The capital of Wisconsin was the target of protests last year. 

A group called United Wisconsin said it gathered more than one million signatures to recall the governor by this past Tuesday's deadline.  The group opposes the collective bargaining changes made in last year's bill that Governor Walker signed as a first-term governor.  The filing of petitions won't automatically remove Walker from the governor's seat this year.  Instead, it will force Walker to face a special election recall sometime later this year. 

Last year I wrote a post concerning this incident stating that "When times are lean, concessions must be made."  With the unemployment rate being very high in Wisconsin, there has to be changes made in regards to federal workers salaries and benefits.  With many Wiscsonsin workers being unemployed, it means a shrinking tax base for Wisconsin, which means there are fewer dollars going towards paying for the federal workers' salary, healthcare, and pension coverage.  Even though I don't relish the thought of federal workers having to take cuts in their benefits, it's no different for federal workers having to make concessions vs. the private sector workers making concessions with their employer.  I don't think it's fair to the taxpayers of Wisconsin to have to continue paying the same percentage of their incomes for federal workers benefits when many Wisconsin residents lost their jobs due to the condition of the economy.  It's sad that Governor Walker is having to face a recall because of that.  However, the residents of Wisconsin have that right to file petitions to recall Governor Walker if they so desire.  I'm fearful if a recall vote is held this year, Governor Walker will be recalled.  However, if that happens, at least Governor Walker stood making the right decision for Wisconsin even if it costs him his seat.  To read the full story, click on the above link.