The controversial state law that curtails collective bargaining for most public employees was upheld by a federal appeals court Friday.
In ruling that Act 10 is constitutional, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals said the state had a rational reason for rolling back collective bargaining rights, and rejected arguments from public employees unions that they violated First Amendment rights, WisPolitics.com reported.
The court overturned a decision by a federal judge last year that struck down parts of the law dealing with prohibitions on government employers withholding union dues from workers' payrolls and a section requiring labor unions to vote to re-certify yearly, the Journal Sentinel reported.
A separate case challenging the law remains ongoing at the state level.
Friday's decision was praised by Gov. Scott Walker, who introduced the legislation as part of his budget repair bill in 2011.
As we've said all along, Act 10 is constitutional.
Today’s court ruling is a victory for Wisconsin taxpayers. The provisions contained in Act 10, which have been upheld in federal court, were vital in balancing Wisconsin’s $3.6 billion budget deficit without increasing taxes, without massive public employee layoffs, and without cuts to programs like Medicaid. With this ruling behind us, we can now focus on the next state budget, which will invest in priorities to move our state forward.
State Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen also applauded the ruling:
For nearly two years, those opposing Act 10 have tried every angle to have it struck down and invalidated. Today’s decision by the Seventh Circuit confirms what I have stated from the beginning. Act 10 is constitutional. While there are no guarantees, it is my hope that this decision will pave the way for resolving any remaining challenges in a manner that supports the legislative decisions made by our elected officials.
Mike Tate, chair of the Wisconsin Democratic Party, said:
We continue to believe that Scott Walker’s Act 10 is divisive, harmful and polarizing policy that sought to reward Walker’s political allies at the expense of working Wisconsin families.
Even the federal appeals court that today upheld Act 10 on narrow legal grounds noted that the principal provisions of Act 10 fit the description of legislation that 'rewards friends and punishes opponents.'
Patch will continue to get reaction about this topic from a variety of sources and update the story throughout the day, so please check back.
I have provided you with many FACTS, DATA and REFERENCES... I am not in a position to do your research... besides, you are just too lazy to do anything except name calling and spout talking points for the TAP... You really do need more remedial educational assistance than I could possibly provide to you in a lifetime… Slander is the SPOKEN word, untruths, which cause you pain, undue suffering, personal or professional injury and monetary loss… MAY be actionable in a court of law… IF you can prove, they are UNTRUE. Libel is the WRITTEN word, same methodology. Think about it for a year or two; you just may begin to turn the light bulb on…
The 4,800 number came from YOU! YOU used it in YOUR silly math calculation, showing how Walker could ALMOST come up to 250,000 jobs IF you simply multiplied 4,800 by 48! The actual number of “estimated” jobs reported to have been created in December is 4,500. YOUR POST: The Anti-Alinsky 11:38 am on Saturday, January 19, 2013 Johnny and his fuzzy math again. Lets see 4,800 jobs per month times 48 months of Governor Walker's FIRST term = 230,400. A little shy, but the state economy is like a train engine, it has to get a little traction before it gets rolling.
Even if I took the wrong number the conclusion is the same: We are still WAAAAAAAAAY ahead of the 121,000 jobs LOST under Diamond Jim Doyle and the Democrats. By the way Craig, I have seen it as tsi tsi fly as well. But of course, rather than respond to any of our posts with facts and insight, Johnny will just attack an nitpick in a failing attempt to diminish the effect of our posts. (BTW Johnny, OUR as in myself, Craig, Keith Best and others that respond to correct you on your silly talking points posts)
“The TAP... is overflowing with people who have either walked in the front door of a college or trade school, or then proceeded to walk directly out of the back door.” “Ignorance, like gun freaks, always seeks their own incredibly low homeostasis... they even enshrine it as an ideal...” “Wisconsin has a severely limited government now, characterized by a limited IQ governor, assembly, senate, AG, and court system” “I really don't know if you were born on Newt's Moon Colony and just now arrived on planet earth...” “It really negates whatever infinitesimal credibility you ever had…” “Now, you make a rather pathetic attempt to clean up your sloppiness with a plethora of childish rationalizations, diversions and obfuscation.” "Red Sisters of the world unite; we are meeting at Walker’s house..." “…however, that is precisely how you uneducated and misinformed WISHFUL THINKERS muddle your way through life…” “Please try to give them a break, their gene pool came from the sewers of Bangladesh...” “Red Sisters of the world unite; we are meeting at Walker’s house for another daily dose of WISHFUL THINKING!” “Young Conservative – Are you old enough to be out of your crib? Do both your mommies know what you are doing?” “Now please get out of your cave and get yourself some much needed social and community skills.” BTW-I was wondering how long before you would respond to slader/libel.
When C. Sanders wrote: "God is with Walker, so lets move on." you wrote: C. Sanders - I am NOT with Walker nor shall I ever be; Walker is attempting to impersonate me and it only works with the MAGICAL THINKING PEOPLE IN THE CLOWN CAR..." Yea that's a "fact" you can take to the bank.
Actually kate, that was two years earlier with the Democratic controlled Assembly and Senate.
MJS today reported Wi unemployment as of Dec at 6.6 %, lowest since 2008 and significantly lower than US average of 7.8 %. 4,500 private sector jobs added. Overall non farming jobs + 1,300. What say yea now, Walker haters ? When I listen to retard radio and they report that Jobless numbers are down for the Presidrent, its because it doesn't include people who are no longer looking for work or they are no longer on unemployment because it ran out or because people are underemployed. I'm sure the same holds true for our unemployment numbers right?
If being an elitist means you think you are better than someone who doesn't have a degree, than I say that makes you simply a jerk (not saying YOU are, but someone who thinks that is clearly) We are all created equal...
"In regards to [sic] our governor, although he didn't complete his degree, Professor Mordecai Lee has made repeated statements that Scott Walker is the most gifted and natural politician he has ever met. However, those with a real advanced education tend to have a better grasp on more complex issues and not all college degrees are created equal. The truly educated have been taught to think and write critically as well as possessing the ability to clearly communicate." Perhaps you should have a flawless command of the English language prior to lecturing others WITH REGARD TO collegiate, educational prowess? http://public.wsu.edu/~brians/errors/regards.html
There is clear and unquestioning bias against those who are better educated and it is expressed as disdain towards anyone who is an open intellectual or pursues intellectual pursuits.
http://www.deptofnumbers.com/unemployment/wisconsin/ LOTS OF “CATCHING UP” TO DO! Wisconsin Unemployment History: Dec. 2011 - Dec. 2012 When you check the chart - Dec. 2012 is not included - you will see the percentage of the unemployment rate fell by -0.3% and the total NET JOBS GAINED at 9,402 for 11-months! IF you additionally factor in the -0.1% decrease in the unemployment rate for Dec. 2012, you get a total reduction in percent of unemployment of -0.4% for 12-months. Furthermore, if you add in the "Preliminary Estimate" of 4,500 jobs for Dec. of 2012, you arrive at a TOTAL NUMBER OF JOBS GAINED OVER 12-months: 13,902. YES, you do have much "CATCHING UP" to do... please share this with ALL your Red Sisters... I WILL ANXIOUSLY AWAIT THE “CORRECTIONS” FROM THE WAUKESHA REPUBLICAN EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE CABAL: I.E., DUMB, DUMBER AND DUMBEST…
"By the way Craig, I have seen it as tsi tsi fly as well." Of course, you have; it was probably in the book “My Pet Goat” when you two went to study for your GED in Mississippi… gosh, I suspect you two have even seen a Unicorn, and probably had many rides on a live dinosaur as well...
Seems that Law degree from Harvard and his degree from Occidental taught him nothing. And even Archie Bunker could balance his checkbook. Apparently, Obama can't. Wilson, next time you have a thought...let it go.
Your comments have shown that you do not deserve our respect.
"The number of people unemployed in Wisconsin peaked in June 2009 at 287,166. There are now 83,400 fewer people unemployed in the state." We are having ups and down thanks to this economy, but the general trend us up. And it still beats the 121,000 jobs LOST under Diamond Jim Doyle!!!
You are correct; the same methodology that applies to the national unemployment numbers also clearly apply to each state. Both - the federal and the states - attempt to play games with the numbers and percentages by not counting people not currently collecting unemployment benefits, those who have given up looking for work through state agencies and contract employment agencies, those who are in some government or school training program and those who are working 2-3 minimum wage jobs and would thus not be eligible for benefits. Some employers will not even look at you unless you are currently employed. I know of several employers who have their sons and daughters working for them full-time, and they are collecting full-unemployment benefits from the state at the same time. I have reported them to the Dept. of Workforce Development. Sadly, there are many good employment opportunities to be had in the labor market today. On the other hand, there are too many people without the skill sets to fill them. You need degrees, CNC Programming skills, computer skills, robotic skills, a good stable work record, no drug or criminal record. What I refer to as the “brawn class” is going to grow beyond all comprehension, as there is increasingly no need for a strong back type of worker. Additionally, employers do not want to be stuck with older workers – at around 50-55 you are an insurance and productivity liability – but they will not tell you that.
In addition to the problematic and convoluted financial machinations contrived by Walker to claim he has balanced the budget, he did promise to do two other Mission Impossible feats. Walker’s words Will "get government out of the way of employers ... who will then help Wisconsin create 250,000 jobs by 2015, and as we create those new jobs, we will be able to add 10,000 new businesses.” Hence, we have his promise that he will create 250,000 jobs by Jan. 1, 2015 – he took office on Jan 3, 2011. Clearly, this is not going to happen. He also promised to create 10,000 new businesses during that same period. Clearly, that is not going to happen either. Obviously, I do not know what is going to occur between now and the 2014 election – the John Doe Probe is still out there – however, I do know that these two promises are not going to happen.
TOTAL NUMBER OF JOBS CREATED IN 2012: 13,902 "The Department of Numbers contextualizes public data so that individuals can form independent opinions on everyday social and economic matters.” “It is a report by the According to the BLS current population survey (CPS), the unemployment rate for Wisconsin fell 0.2 percentage points in November 2012 to 6.7%” PLEASE CONTACT: ben@deptofnumbers.com [IF you have questions or want more BLS hard data.] Wisconsin Unemployment History: Dec. 2011 - Dec. 2012 "The number of people unemployed in Wisconsin peaked in June 2009 at 287,166. There are now 83,400 fewer people unemployed in the state." [These 83,400 does not include December 2012, 4,500 new hires; it does not include people who left the state between 2009 and today and it does not factor in GWB reckless fiscal policy and effects on WI economy.] There is also a very convient link along with this quote to asses the population differential in WI, between June of 2009 and today. Vastly more important, THE REAL POINT: Walker only created 13,902 jobs in 12-Months!
The Department of Numbers is a government agency under United States Department of Labor [BLS] Bureau of Labor Statistics. The report from Dec. 2011 to Dec. 2012, showing a merger 13,902 jobs gained in 12-Months, does not give anyone any degree of confidence that Walker will be capable of fulfilling his promise of 250,000 jobs by Jan. 1 2015. It also clearly demonstrates the impossibility of Walker creating 10,000 new businesses by Jan. 1, 2015. Jobs gained or lost by previous WI governors is decidedly NOT the issue(s) here… deflect though you might. The only two issues here are Walker creating 250,000 jobs and 10,000 new businesses in WI before Jan. 1, 2015, as he promised… “Our latest count put the number, as of the end of November 2012, at 37,011 new jobs since Walker took office. We use two sets of data to arrive at that figure, which is tracked in a monthly graphic. Highly accurate census data showed there were 27,811 jobs created in Wisconsin in 2011. For the best approximation, we add to that the net total of 9,200 jobs created in 2012, according to monthly Current Employment Survey reports issued by the Department of Workforce Development.” As of today, Jan. 20, 2013: 37,011 + 4,500 [December 2012] = 41,511 TOTAL JOBS IN 2-YEARS! That leaves 208,489 jobs left to create in less than 2-years! http://www.politifact.com/wisconsin/promises/walk-o-meter/promise/526/create-250000-new-jobs/
kate wrote: " And what was more "strong arm" than passing this law in the dead of night, behind closed doors, without due process?" Actually kate, that was two years earlier with the Democratic controlled Assembly and Senate.
If so it raises a number of questions Johnny: 1) Why does the address end in .com instead of .gov? 2) Why are they using third-party advertising to raise revenue? 3) Why is there no direct link to the Bureau of Labor Statistics? 4) Why does a site search on bls.gov provide no mention of a Department of Numbers. 5) How come a gentleman named Ben Engebreth maintains the site with no mention of even a sponsorship from the BLS and mentioned directly on his own site: http://www.benengebreth.org/ ?
You would also get on with the NEW BIOLOGY/SCIENCE PROGRAM OF WALKER TOO; you know, where our children are taught that babies are delivered to your house by the stork! You do not have a CHOICE there, but you BELIEVE that is how babies come into the world, so, no problem there...