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.
