Highlights: Walker’s “Budget Repair Bill” actually increases state spending; IN Dems get concessions and return home; OH SB 5 anti-union bill to get committee vote TODAY; FreedomWorks heads to Pennsylvania; MI Gov cuts 2012 unemployment benefits; privatization proposals in FL; Scrooge Alert here http://dailyscroogealert.blogspot.com/

All Around

The Truth Behind the Public Pensions’ Funding Gap State governors across the nation, led by newly elected right-wing Republicans (with several Democratic governors in tow), are whipping up anti-union sentiment by declaring that public workers and their unions are the cause of state budget deficits.

Minnesota's iron ore industry bounces back less than 2 years after bottoming out

Minnesota's iron ore industry has bounced back to full speed thanks to global steel demand, less than two years after bottoming out.

Indiana

Indiana Dems To Return Home With Big Concessions From GOPers

tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com

Just about a month ago, dozens of Indiana state House Democrats fled to Illinois to shut down what they said was a Republican agenda that targeted workers rights and the public schools. Now they're set to return, having won several...

IN: Democrats return, but will legislators meet session deadline?
Five weeks lost. Five weeks left. With Democrats back in the Indiana House, ending a standoff that was one of the longest in Indiana's and the nation's legislative history, the legislature is now in a race against the clock.

Michigan

MI: Michigan governor Rick Snyder signs bill to cut unemployment benefits in 2012
As Gov. Rick Snyder and lawmakers struggle to erase a looming $1.4-billion state deficit, another deficit nearly three times as large hangs over the head of Michigan employers.

State's labor market recovery stronger than nation's, study says

Once the state with the highest unemployment rate, Michigan is now "experiencing a stronger recovery in its labor markets than the nation," Comerica Bank's chief economist said in a report released Friday.

Ohio

Ohio's collective bargaining overhaul could see nearly a dozen changes before ...
Plain Dealer
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The latest version of Senate Bill 5 -- a Republican-backed plan to reduce collective bargaining rights -- will be unveiled Tuesday with nearly a dozen changes, including modifications that could address concerns police and fire unions

Ohio House Panel Plans Changes To SB5
WLWT Cincinnati
COLUMBUS -- State legislative leaders plan to make at least 10 substantive changes to a bill that would restrict collective bargaining, including removing jail time as a possible penalty for public workers who unlawfully participate in strikes,

House committee to vote Tuesday on SB5

House Republicans plan to hold a committee vote on the collective-bargaining bill on Tuesday morning, and leaders say some of the changes under consideration will make law enforcement and firefighters happier with the bill.

Ohio is next in collective bargaining crackdown

TODAY'S TAKE: The fight in the states over collective bargaining shifts this week to Ohio, where the House of Representatives could vote on a Senate-approved measure to limit negotiation powers for public employee unions.

Action on SB 5 may be fast and furious
Columbus Dispatch
Uecker added: "I and several of my fellow colleagues are in favor of a right-to-work state. Unfortunately, that's not what this bill does, but it sets the framework for conversations later on." A key issue under discussion has been how to resolve

Wisconsin

Here is the latest Wisconsin news from The Associated Press:
WMTV
(AP) -- This morning's court hearing could offer some clarity on whether a new law eliminating most of Wisconsin workers' collective bargaining rights has actually gone into effect. Republican Gov. Scott Walker's administration insists the measure is ...

WI: Spending would increase 1% under Walker budget
Gov. Scott Walker's proposed budget would increase overall spending by 1% over two years rather than reduce it as the administration had said earlier this month.

Pennsylvania

FreedomWorks heads to Pennsylvania where groups hopes to quash unions
The Washington Independent
FreedomWorks has been outspoken about trying to abolish collective bargaining rights for all Pennsylvania employees and recently started a petition calling for legislation that would do so. The Frederick Douglas Foundation's emphasis on this particular

Legislators to restore some education cuts

Calling the governor's proposed cuts to higher education "unacceptable," lawmakers from both sides of the aisle told university officials and students that they'll be fighting for more funding in the final spending plan.

Union leader defends Pennsylvania state-run liquor sales

A leader of the union that represents most employees of Pennsylvania's state-owned liquor and wine stores says they do a better job of collecting taxes and preventing underage drinking than private businesses would do.

Maine

Labor mural is moved to undisclosed location

A mural depicting Maine's labor history was removed from the lobby of the state's Department of Labor and stored at an undisclosed location over the weekend by directive of Gov. Paul LePage.

Unions help Maine work
Lewiston Sun Journal
By Patrick Carleton In a recent letter to the editor (March 20), Arthur Gagne cited facts regarding Right to Work; however, he offers no facts regarding the proposed law. According to a recent Bureau of Labor Education study for the University of Maine

Iowa

Iowa, Minnesota see spillover from Wisconsin's union battles
Washington Times
Recently, Minnesota public-employee unions protested a number of bills being introduced in the state House, specifically one that would freeze salaries and slash the state workforce, though leaving collective bargaining intact. However, Gov

Florida

Legislation in Tallahassee amounts to GOP anti-union politics
Sun-Sentinel
Florida is a "right to work state," meaning that workers can't be compelled to join a union and pay dues. The Legislature's GOP majority is singling out public employee unions because they normally plow millions of dollars into supporting Democratic

Legislature wants to privatize prisons, probation officers

In what could signal a massive private takeover of public prisons, the Florida Senate quietly slipped language into its newly proposed budget Monday that seeks to give corporations the chance to run correctional facilities and probation services in 18 counties.

New Hampshire

NH House Committee moves to end Collective Bargaining for Public ...
Tagged as: budget reform bill, collective bargaining rights, New Hampshire, public sector unions, SEIU, State Employees Association of New Hampshire

Damaging Law Targets New Hampshire Educators - Education Votes
The New Hampshire House Finance Committee voted last week to approve budget bill H.B. 2, which includes an anti-public sector collective bargaining