Highlights: Gov. Kasich proposes $65M Workers' Comp rate cut; Is Mass. the next Wisconsin?; Union Dues Fight: Miami Republicans Cause Another Defeat for Rick Scott; PA Gov to Universities: Short on cash? Drill for natural gas; Total Recall in Wisconsin; full Scrooge Alert here: http://dailyscroogealert.blogspot.com/

Florida

Union Dues Fight: Miami Republicans Cause Another Defeat for Rick Scott
Miami New Times (blog)
Scott Walker of Wisconsin did (and it should be noted that Florida is a right-to-work state where unions are less powerful), the measure was viewed as another Republican effort to chip away at the power of unions. Scott really became interested in the

Rick Scott Rebuffed By Florida Republicans On Anti-Union Bill Rick Scott (R). The legislation, SB 830, would prohibit state and local governments from automatically deducting union dues from employees' paychecks.

Massachusetts

Is Mass. the next Wisconsin?
WWLP 22News
Rudy Renaud, an organizer with AFSCME told 22News, “I just can't believe that after everything that's happened in a state like this Massachusetts, they would try to take collective bargaining rights from workers." Governor Deval Patrick said this isn't ...

Union Busting, Massachusetts Style
Wall Street Journal
By KIMBERLEY A. STRASSEL Pop quiz: What political party, in what state, this week passed a bill in the dead of night stripping public-sector unions of their collective- bargaining powers? Republicans in Wisconsin? The GOP in Ohio or Indiana?

Pennsylvania

PA: Gov. Tom Corbett suggests Pa. universities raise money through Marcellus Shale drilling
EDINBORO, Pa. — Some Pennsylvania universities should consider drilling for natural gas below campus to help solve their financial problems, Gov. Tom Corbett said today.

State senator proposes 'impact fee' on gas drillers

The much-awaited Senate Republican plan for an impact fee on gas drillers arrived Thursday with a sense of urgency and some linguistic gymnastics.

New tuition voucher bill would expand eligibility

Poor children hoping to use tuition vouchers for private school won't get them in time for next school year. Meanwhile, more middle-income children could be eligible for them in 2015, if the House and Senate approve.

Ohio

Gov. Kasich proposes $65M Workers' Comp rate cut

Gov. John Kasich on Thursday proposed a 4 percent cut in workers' compensation base rates for a total cut in premiums of about $65 million a year.

Swing-state Ohio at heart of union rights battle
Los Angeles Times
A battle royal looms in a referendum to repeal a new GOP-backed law limiting collective bargaining rights for state workers. The showdown has implications for the 2012 presidential election. Protestors against Senate Bill 5 gather at the Ohio

Obama's criticism of Ohio's new collective bargaining law rankles ...
COLUMBUS — Gov. John Kasich on Wednesday fired back in reaction to criticism from President Barack Obama of Ohio's new law restricting public employees'

New Hampshire

Right to Work bill a threat to state's way of life
Seacoastonline.com
For several days the Right to Work legislation, which has passed the NH House and Senate, had been on my mind, and a letter to the editor about it had been tumbling around in my head. And then lo and behold the Portsmouth Herald editorial staff wrote ...

Wisconsin

Wisconsin Grocers Brace for Anti-Walker Sticker Campaign
Fox News
But instead of marching outside stores with picket signs, protesters are planning more subversive action: placing anti-Walker stickers on products made by businesses they believe support the law that severely limits the collective bargaining power of

Total Recall in Wisconsin
msnbc.com
After Wisconsin GOP Gov. Scott Walker's move to strip public employees' collective-bargaining rights, the state finds itself in the middle of a historic and unprecedented wave of recall efforts. Today, the Committee to Recall Robert Cowles submitted

Texas

Senate still lacking votes to debate budget bill

Senate leaders emerged from a lengthy closed-door caucus meeting Wednesday still shy of the votes needed to debate a budget plan that maps out state spending for the next two years.

Michigan

State House approves massive tax shift package
Michigan Messenger
By Ed Brayton | 04.29.11 | 7:53 am The Michigan House of Representatives ... the right to a quality education and the

Indiana

Indiana Gov. Daniels Approves Most Expansive School Voucher System in U.S.
Centre Daily Times
The legislation was approved along with other Daniels proposals for education reform, including the expansion of charter schools, merit-based pay for teachers, and restrictions on the collective bargaining powers of teachers unions.

State budget set for final vote
nwitimes.com
INDIANAPOLIS | The Indiana General Assembly is set to give final approval Friday to a two-year, $28 billion state budget that does not increase taxes and is projected to leave Indiana with a $1.07 billion surplus by June 2013. House Bill 1001 increases

Maine

Maine's child labor mess
Salon
The governor wants to let teenagers work longer hours. .... Ikea's code of conduct, known as IWAY, guarantees workers the right to organize and stipulates

EMMC, nurses union reach one-year agreement; union withdraws strike notice

Negotiators for Eastern Maine Medical Center and the unionized registered nurses who work there resumed negotiations Thursday despite the hospital's announcement shortly after midnight Wednesday that the deadline had passed and it was too late to avert a threatened five-day work stoppage. The decision to continue talks apparently paid off.

Montana

Bonding bill for state building projects fails to pass

The House failed again Thursday to muster the two-thirds majority needed to pass a bill to authorize $100 million in bonds to pay for construction of new state buildings across the state.

Highlights: Senate GOP, Corbett reach voucher agreement...; IN: Indiana lawmakers OK broadest voucher plan in U.S.; Recount begins in closely watched Wisconsin court race; ID: Teachers union sues Otter, Luna over reform law; full Scrooge Alert at http://dailyscroogealert.blogspot.com/

Michigan

Michigan tax plan clears first hurdle; House panel OKs Snyder's restructuring

Republican Gov. Rick Snyder's sweeping plan to cut business taxes, eliminate or reduce tax exemptions for some retirement income and make other significant changes cleared a preliminary hurdle Wednesday in the Michigan House.

132 Cities, 26 Townships and 16 Villages Eligible for Takeover Under Snyder’s Financial Martial Law

Local ceremonies Thursday to honor workers, oppose legislation ...
Muskegon Chronicle - MLive.com
Legislation has been introduced in the Michigan Senate (SB 14) to repeal MIOSHA, ... Anyone who tells me I do not have a right to work where I want unless

Indiana

IN: Indiana lawmakers OK broadest voucher plan in U.S.
Indiana will create the nation's broadest private school voucher system and enact other sweeping education changes, making the state a showcase of conservative ideas just as Gov. Mitch Daniels nears an announcement on a 2012 presidential run.

Wisconsin

Recount begins in closely watched Wisconsin court race
Reuters
Unofficial results for the contest, seen as a referendum on Republican efforts to curb the collective bargaining rights of public workers, give the incumbent endorsed by Republicans, Justice David Prosser, a more than 7000 vote lead over challenger ...

Ohio

As Firefighters Halt Political Donations, President Obama Speaks Out Against Ohio’s SB5

Kasich responds to Obama's comments about Ohio's collective bargaining efforts
Wooster Daily Record
The governor's reaction came in response to comments the president made to WKYC TV in Cleveland about efforts under way in Ohio, Wisconsin and other states to reform public employee collective bargaining. Kasich earlier signed into law Senate Bill 5,

Maine

Union workers aren't safe yet
Concord Monitor
The elimination of unions and collective bargaining is a huge step toward decreasing the rights of public workers, lowering wages, and deconstructing the middle class. Legislators and their followers who push "right to work" legislation run with

ME: LePage cabinet member resigns amid allegations of racist remarks
Gov. Paul LePage announced a major shake-up of his administration on Wednesday, including the resignation of his top economic adviser amid allegations of improper comments during a tour of Aroostook County earlier this month.

Pennsylvania

Senate GOP, Corbett reach voucher agreement...

Pennsylvania Workers to Join National Call for Safe Workplaces, Declare: "Don ...
PR Newswire (press release)
Anti-worker politicians are chipping away at job safety through decreased funding to federal occupational safety agencies and attacks on collective bargaining agreements which in many states provide the only assurance of a safe workplace

Poll shows Pennsylvania voters divided over Corbett
Tribune Review
That includes an approach May called more "middle of the road" than some new Republican governors in states like Wisconsin and Ohio. Corbett called for unionized state workers to take a 4-percent pay cut. He would consider a right to work bill but it's

Massachusetts

Massachusetts Democrats Vote to Strip Unions of Bargaining Rights
Newsroom America
... employees of their collective bargaining rights, in an effort to save the cities and towns millions of dollars in health care costs. The House voted 111-42 to pass the measure follows similar bills - and votes - in Ohio, Wisconsin and other states

Idaho

ID: Teachers union sues Otter, Luna over reform law
Members of Idaho's statewide teachers union have filed a lawsuit against the state, the governor and Idaho's public schools chief over a new law that phases out teacher tenure and wipes out collective bargaining over salaries and benefits.

Texas

Senate still lacking votes to debate budget bill

Senate leaders emerged from a lengthy closed-door caucus meeting Wednesday still shy of the votes needed to debate a budget plan that maps out state spending for the next two years.

Highlights: Birthirism and Anti-environmentalism in Michigan; UT Gov. Herbert signs worker classification bills; IN School Voucher program nears approval; IN: Unions enraged after House backs curbs on municipal bargaining; WI protests move to the voting both as three special elections take shape; Corbett's popularity plummets during 100 'rough' days in office; full Scrooge Alert at http://dailyscroogealert.blogspot.com/

All Around: Obama strongly disapproves of public union limits

Michigan

Democracy vs. Profit is Central Issue in Takeover of Benton Harbor, Mich.

VIDEO: Michigan Town Hall Attendees Demand ‘Higher Business Tax’ Instead of Snyder’s Education Cuts

Wisconsin

Wisconsin to hold three special elections

Wis. protests move from the Capitol to the voting booth
Minnesota Public Radio
by Elizabeth Baier, Minnesota Public Radio LaCrosse, Wis. — A wave of discontent is forcing recalls against eight state senators -- three Democrats and five Republicans -- as a result of the controversy over collective bargaining that's played out in

Republicans signal breaks with Walker over budget

Republican leaders of the Legislature's budget-writing committee said Tuesday they will break with Gov. Scott Walker on parts of his budget, including removing the requirement and money for local recycling and changing the SeniorCare prescription drug program.

Pew Center on the United States: Wisconsin pension system among most solvent in nation

WASHINGTON — Wisconsin's budget may be in a hole, but the state's pension system is among the healthiest in the nation.

Pennsylvania

Corbett's popularity plummets during 100 'rough' days in office

In the words of a man who knows, Gov. Tom Corbett's first 100 days in office have been tough. "They've been rough days for the commonwealth and for the governor due to the monumental nature of the problem they face," said former Gov. Dick Thornburgh, a fellow Republican who served from 1979 through January 1987.

Great rally, Great VIDEO: Education rally held on the steps of the state Capitol in Harrisburg

Students, parents, educators and community leaders from around the state — Harrisburg, York and Philadelphia among them — came to Harrisburg to deliver a message to Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett and state lawmakers: Save Our Schools.

Study- Drillers avoid corporate tax

Both sides of the debate over taxing natural gas drillers for the resources they extract in Pennsylvania acknowledge the industry creates jobs and pumps in new tax revenue.

Ohio

Politifact: SB 5 criticism on parent surveys for teachers checks out
Bizjournals.com
In voicing his opposition to Ohio's new collective bargaining legislation, Republican Sen. Tim Grendell cited a new method of evaluating teachers that includes questionnaires and surveys filled out by parents, a claim the Cleveland Plain Dealer's ...

Kasich OKs $579 million in workers' comp funding

Without a public ceremony, Gov. John Kasich signed into law $579 million in appropriations for the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation yesterday

Governor hints legislators might deserve pay raise

Gov. John Kasich said last week that he has developed a "beautiful relationship" with Republican legislative leaders, and he even suggested that lawmakers might deserve a pay raise.

Michigan

Michigan Supreme Court overturns decision allowing environmental suits against state

The Michigan Supreme Court has reversed a major decision that expanded the ability to sue the state in environmental disputes, reigniting an ideological battle between liberal justices and conservatives who are back in the majority after the fall election.

Bill to require birth certificate for elections

A state House lawmaker introduced legislation Tuesday that would require candidates for president to produce a certified copy of his or her birth certificate to be eligible to appear on the Michigan ballot.

Snyder's education plan for Michigan has cash awards, online classes

Gov. Rick Snyder will propose Wednesday financial rewards to individual schools that show exceptional academic progress.

Maine

Child labor repeal is bad for Maine youth
Bangor Daily News
If allowed in conjunction with making Maine a right to work state, you will see a lot of adults being laid off or fired to be replaced by teen trainees

GOP senators ask Obama to drop disclosure order for contractors
Washington Post
Susan Collins (R-Maine) and signed by 19 other GOP senators. ... reviews of unions entering into collective bargaining agreements with federal agencies.

Indiana

Unions enraged after House backs curbs on municipal bargaining
Dorchester Reporter
It looks just like Ohio to me. It looks just like Indiana to me. I am profoundly disappointed in every Democrat who voted to do away with collective bargaining here in Massachusetts,” said Robert Haynes, president of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO.

Daniels Closes In on Education Reform Goal
RealClearPolitics
Already sporting the governor's signature as of last week is a new law on teacher contracts that limits collective bargaining to salaries and wage-related benefits. Teachers will no longer be laid off simply for having the least seniority. ...

Voucher program nears approval

A pair of major education reforms are expected to win final legislative approval and go to Gov. Mitch Daniels' desk this morning.

New Hampshire

Nurses, hospital negotiators sit down as strike looms

With the second nursing strike in six months looming next week, the rhetoric is heating up between administrators at Eastern Maine Medical Center and the approximately 830 unionized registered nurses who work there.

Support the veto of 'Right to Work' bill
Nashua Telegraph
I believe that this is an outright attack on workers, collective bargaining and labor unions across our great state. When I questioned him about HB 474, he wrote: “While unions were an important part of labor issues in the past, I do not believe they

Missouri

What the other side is publishing in Missouri: Right To Work MissouriMissouri Right To Work State – Forcing Union ...

Gov. Herbert signs worker classification bills

Gov. Gary Herbert signed a series of bills Tuesday that he says corrects significant problems in the marketplace — worker misclassification.

Florida

FL: After secret talks, Republicans end budget impasse
After secret talks and public acrimony, the Florida Legislature's Republican leaders announced they reached a budget deal Tuesday, sparing them the embarrassment of an overtime lawmaking session.

New Jersey

N.J. toll collector privatization vote postponed

WOODBRIDGE, N.J. — A decision on whether to privatize toll collection on the New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway has been postponed until next month.

NJ Democrats' leader wants pension promises kept

The state's Democratic Party leader said Tuesday that the state should pay all of its pension obligations and contribute the full $3.5 billion that actuaries say is needed for the state's pension system.

Rev. Al Sharpton criticizes Gov. Christie in Trenton, alleges 'assault on working-class people'

The Rev. Al Sharpton stepped into New Jersey's budget battle today, joining a chorus of union leaders criticizing Gov. Chris Christie's economic policies and urging New Jerseyans to push back against a nationwide campaign to weaken organized labor.

Massachusetts

MA: House votes to restrict unions
House lawmakers voted overwhelmingly last night to strip police officers, teachers, and other municipal employees of most of their rights to bargain over health care, saying the change would save millions of dollars for financially strapped cities and towns.