Highlights: PA limits authority and oversight of gas inspectors; Bill to loosen child labor restrictions heads to Maine Senate; OH anti-union legislation ready for Governor’s signature; WI moves to implement anti-union law despite multiple court orders; Labor bills targeted in boycott pass Ind. House; IL GOV: Budget-cutting governors have it wrong; Republican UT Gov Herbert resists party’s attempt to extend work week for state employees; New Hampshire Passes “Companion” Bill Stripping Bargaining a Day Early; Full Scrooge Alert at http://dailyscroogealert.blogspot.com/

All Around

US: As sweeping layoffs loom, schools gird for turmoil
School authorities across the nation are warning thousands of teachers that they could lose their jobs in June, raising the possibility that America's public schools may see the most extensive layoffs of their teaching staffs in decades.

Maine

Bill to loosen child labor restrictions heads to Maine Senate

The Senate will soon vote on an amended bill that would loosen restrictions within the state's child labor law. The amended proposal emerged from the Legislature's labor committee last week via a 7-6 vote along party lines. Republicans supported the measure, which would allow minors to work longer hours and more often during weeks when school is in session.

Indiana

Labor bills targeted in boycott pass Ind. House

Republicans in the Indiana House on Wednesday pushed through three labor-related bills that had drawn protests from Democrats during their five-week legislative boycott.

Indiana House OKs using tax money to pay for private schools
Evansville Courier & Press
Mitch Daniels' sweeping education agenda, which also includes measures that would expand Indiana's number of charter schools from the current 60, limit teachers' collective bargaining rights to wages and benefits, and tie teacher pay to student

Pennsylvania

Sen. Toomey wrong to support right-to-work bill
Allentown Morning Call
Toomey, instead of trying to erode unions by supporting the right-to-work bill, should be working on bringing back good-paying jobs that have gone overseas so everyone can live and enjoy a better life. Currently there are no comments

PA: Pennsylvania limits authority of oil and gas inspectors
Oil and gas inspectors policing Marcellus Shale development in Pennsylvania will no longer be able to issue violations to the drilling companies they regulate without first getting the approval of top officials. That's according to a directive laid out in a series of emails received by the Department of Environmental Protection staff last week and leaked to ProPublica

Dems say private liquor stores a bad idea

Gov. Tom Corbett's proposed privatization of state liquor stores is likely to lead to higher prices for consumers and cost the state steady revenues that help balance its budget, the chairman of the state House Democratic Policy Committee said Wednesday.

Privatizing treatment of mentally ill opposed

A renewed push to privatize forensic psychiatry services at two state mental hospitals is causing concern among lawmakers about the safety implications of such a change.

Consultant hired to study liquor stores

Gov. Tom Corbett's administration has taken a preliminary step toward privatizing the sale of wine and spirits in Pennsylvania, as an outside consultant began an analysis of the 620 state-owned and operated liquor stores.

School voucher proposal doesn't add up

There are questions you should be asking your state representatives/ senators regarding Senate Bill 1, the "Opportunity Scholarship and Educational Improvement Tax Credit Act," aka the educational voucher program.

Ohio

OH: Labor-rights restrictions ready for Kasich to sign
After two months of protests and two final votes Wednesday, lawmakers have drawn battle lines for the minds of Ohioans in November over the future of public-employee collective bargaining in the state.

In Ohio, instead of protests, a ballot-initiative push
msnbc.com
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- If Ohio's bill is the most ambitious attempt to limit public workers' collective bargaining rights -- and it is, much more far-reaching than Wisconsin's -- where are the throngs of protestors? For one thing, Columbus, OH

Ohio House OKs collective bargaining limits - FOX41.com Louisville ...
FOX41.com Louisville News Kentucky Indiana News Weather SportsOhio House OKs collective bargaining limits. Member Center

Wisconsin

WI: State will continue implementing collective bargaining law despite judge's order
State officials have not stopped putting in place changes to collective bargaining rules for public employees despite a judge's order barring the law's implementation -- and a threat of sanctions against anyone who violates it.

Michigan

New Michigan law increases state role in local government
State-appointed emergency managers will move into depressed local jurisdictions with the power to abrogate labor contracts and even break up local governments if they deem it necessary for community survival.

Missouri

Missouri’s Final Unemployment Checks Will Be Mailed Saturday

Illinois

IL: Quinn says budget-cutting governors have it wrong
For governors cutting education and health care and going after public-sector employees to balance budgets, here's a message from Illinois Governor Pat Quinn: You're wrong. Not mistaken, not misinformed.

New Hampshire

SURPRISE! New Hampshire Passes “Companion” Bill Stripping Bargaining a Day Early

wepartypatriots.com

A protest expecting upwards of 5,000 demonstrators is scheduled for Noon at the New Hampshire Capitol in Concord today. Ironworkers and other members of the New Hampshire Building Trades have already begun to gather. The website NH Cares is a complete resource for rally questions.

Minnesota

Teacher evaluations, job security would change under House ed bill
Minnesota Public Radio
The legislation also curbs collective bargaining rights by banning teacher strikes, and ending the tenure system in favor of five-year contracts. And, under the bill, teacher evaluations would be based on their students' test scores

House OKs bill freezing funds for special education
Minneapolis Star Tribune
Union president Tom Dooher said the bill was packed with "politically motivated policy," including "Wisconsin-style attacks on the collective bargaining rights of teachers." Charlie Kyte, executive director of the Minnesota Association of School

Alabama

Alabama legislators consider state employee furloughs

An Alabama Senate committee is considering whether to approve furloughs for state employees.

Utah

UT: Gov. Gary Herbert saves state employees' four-day workweek with veto
Gov. Gary Herbert vetoed four bills on Wednesday, the final day he could take action on legislation from the 2011 general session, including an attempt to end the state's four-day work week.

Montana

Pay plan for state employees still stalled in House as GOP waits on budget

Whether state workers get a raise the next two years will be resolved in final legislative talks on the state budget, but it's uncertain how much money is available to fund raises, a top Republican lawmaker said Wednesday.