Scott Walker Fundraising Letter

Following is the text of a fundraising letter being sent out by Friends of Scott Walker on the Governor's behalf.  It is scary to see just how he feels about us...the name of the recipient has been removed for obvious reasons.  The emphasis is original from the letter.

Dear Mr. #####,

     The Wisconsin Democrat Party is following through on their months-long threat; they're launching a recall election against me.

     Our rivals are probably bringing in out-of-state hired guns, ciculating thousands of petitions, gathering the 540,000 signatures they need, and forging an alliance of Big Government Liberals, Big Government Union Bosses, powerful Far-Left Special Interests and Super PAC's, and National Democrats from the White House on down.

     In the face of a challenge of this magnitude, I need you.

     Knowing that I can't fight this battle alone, I'm reaching our to Wisconsin's tried-and-true conservative leaders and friends and asking your to write a "Friends of Scott Walker" check today.

     Mr. #####, our opponents will raise tens of millions from deep-pocketed Super PAC's and Big Labor Bosses, but we'll raise money with the grassroots contributions of strong Wisconsin supporters like you.

     Your generous check for $25, $35, $50, or $100 will give us a big boost and a huge lift as we tackle this enormous challenge together.

     Our rivals crave power and they're happy to dismiss everything we've accomplished together since I took office in January.

     We've turned a $3.6 billion Jim Doyle-defecit into a $300 million surplus.  Wisconsin is debt-free for the first time in a decade.  New businesses are coming to Wisconsin and so are good jobs.

     From education to local government reform, we've made one breakthrough after another and Wisconsin is poised for even better days ahead.

     Mr. #####, don't let the Liberals succeed in ousting me and returning our state to the bad old days of blank-check government and no-limit credit cards; a state where businesses will shrivel up and die...taxes will go back up...jobs will disappear...and all out progress will be undone.

     We simply can't afford to let that happen.

     So as Wisconsin Democrat Chairman Mike Tate shouts that "It would be irresponsible of the party not to jump on that opportunity" to recall me, you and I know the truth is different.

     They are desperately seeking power so they can return to the happy days when their liberal base was treated to one Big Government treat after another.

     Wisconsin can't afford to go where they will take us.

     This is a critical point in Wisconsin history, perhaps a turning point.  From first-hand experience, I know how our political rivals operate and how far they'll go to recall me.

     I can only imagine how much help they'll get from the Obama White House, the National Democrat Machine, the deep-pocketed Liberal Super PACs and the revenge-seeking Big Labor Bosses.

     So in my hour of need I turn to you.

     Knowing that you share my love for Wisconsin, my dedication to fiscal conservative pinciples, and my determination to meet this looming challenge head-on...

     Do me the honor of contributing to our "Friends of Scott Walker" campaign with your special gift of $25, $35, $50, $100, $250 or more.

     Through your generous spirit and sense of fair play, I'll rise to meet this recall challenge with yard signs and bumper stickers, targeted letters and self-mailers, radio spots and TV commercials, neighborhood canvasses and get-out-the-vote calls.

     I'm proud of Wisconsin and pleased with the progress we've made in our first year in office.  But I'm not satisfied.  There's more to do, more reforms ahead, and I'll do all in my power to keep making you proud of the progress we've made.

     Right here and right now, I need your help.

     I must raise $600,000 in the next thirty days; that's the seed-money or start-up capital we'll need to fight off the first wave of attack ads.

     Your kind help will mean the world to me and your "Friends of Scott Walker" check for $25, $50, $100, $250, $500, $1000, $2500 or more will give me the opportunity to keep working for the Wisconsin I love.

                                                                            On Wisconsin,


                                                                            Scott Walker

P.S. At this moment, our opponents probably are recruiting out-of-state hired guns, circulating petitions, gathering signatures, raising money, and planning attack ads.  Over $40 million was spent on recalls this summer - they could spend that much on a recall against us.  I'm asking for your help so I can keep being your Governor.

Gag me with a freaking spoon.  It is scary to see how askew his view of reality truly is.  It is also nice to see that Friends of Scott Walker was able to provide a job to the guy who used to write all those e-mail scam letters about the rich prince in Nigeria needing your help to get his fortune out of the country...

Following is an announcement received from Sen. Jim Holperin's office regarding a public hearing on the future of BadgerCare in Wisconsin:

Rhinelander BadgerCare Hearing Set for December 8

For More Information:  (715) 891-1412

            A public hearing focused on a state agency’s plan to make $554 million in cuts to the state’s health care programs for eligible seniors, children, families and the disabled will be held at Nicolet College in Rhinelander on Thursday, December 8.

            State Senator Jim Holperin (D-Eagle River) said the hearing is one in a series being held around the state to solicit comments, answer questions and accept advice regarding the future of Wisconsin’s BadgerCare health insurance program.

            “Health care for the elderly, disabled and children is the state’s 2^nd largest program (behind school aid) and there’s no question additional efficiencies must be identified for the program to remain viable,” Holperin said.  “But is the Department of Health Services making the right choices?  Are the cuts they’ve proposed to the federal government the right ones?  This is a topic we need to hear more about.”

            The Rhinelander BadgerCare hearing will be held in the LRC Theater on the Nicolet College campus starting at 4:30p.m. on Thursday, December 8.  The hearing will last 2 hours, or until everyone who wishes to speak has done so.

            Specifics on the Department of Health Services proposal to cut $554 million from the Medicaid/BadgerCare programs can be found at www.savebadgercare.org.  Click on About BadgerCare.

# # #

Recall Group Has Over 300,000 Signatures

     United Wisconsin, the group that is organizing the effort to recall Governor Walker, Lt. Governor Kleefish, and four senators, has announced that it has collected over 300,000 signatures in the first 12 days of its 60-day period in which to gather them. This puts them at approximately 50% of the number that they wanted to collect.  Executive Director Megan Mahaffey stated that even though they might have the required number of signatures earlier than required, they still plan to turn them in to the Government Accountability Board on January 17th, the last day before the deadline.  If you are interested in signing the recall petitions contact your friendly local union representative and they can direct you to whomever is circulating the petition.

Happy Thanksgiving

Looks delicious, doesn't it?

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you from all of us in AFSCME Local 474.  We wish you safe travels and a joyous holiday.  Even though Governor Walker and his lackeys have seen fit to take aim at us, and the Vilas County Board of Supervisors has gone right along with them, we all still have a lot to be thankful for.  So let's put aside any differences and/or animosity and have a wonderful and safe holiday.  We'll see you all on Monday!

Reminder: Recall Petitions Available

     The drive to collect the over 540,000 signatures required to force a recall election of Governor Walker and Lieutenant Governor Kleefish is under way.  If you wish to sign the petition, please see your Union representative and they will either have a petition or will be able to direct you to someone else who is.  They will also have information as to how you can become a circulator yourself.  Please also encourage your friends, family, or anyone else to sign.  Signers need only to have lived in Wisconsin for at least 28 days, and to be eligible to vote.  THEY DO NOT NEED TO BE CURRENTLY REGISTERED TO SIGN THE PETITION, as Wisconsin allows voter registration on the day of the election.  Please remember as we go through the next sixty days that just as you have the right to sign the petition, others have the right not to, so be persuasive and polite but not pushy.  Thank you for you support.

Look Into the Future with Local 474

     There will be an important meeting of AFSCME Local 474 on Monday, November 28, 2011 at 4:15 pm at the Eagle River Inn, at which the Executive Council and representatives of AFSCME Council 40 will be on hand to tell you all about how the Union will look after Jan 1, what it can do for you, and Union plans for the future.  There will also be a question and answer session to answer all your important questions.  There will be free food and a cash bar available, so please don't miss this opportunity to get all the information you need about the future.  If you are unavailable to attend, please contact your Local 474 representative to get all the information.  Thanks, and we will see you on Nov 28!

Happy Hunting

All of us in AFSCME Local 474 are wishing everyone a safe, enjoyable, and successful hunting season!  We hope you all get the chance to bag the big one!

Recall Petitions Available

     Check with your Local 474 Executive Council reps if you want to sign the recall petition for Governor Walker and/or Lieutenant Governor Kleefish.  They will either be circulating the petitions or will be able to direct you to people who are.

In November We Remember: Joe Hill

The Northwoods Grassroots Labor Activists will be presenting Joe Hill and The Little Red Songbook: Still Fanning the Flames of Discontent as part of their "In November We Remember" series on Thursday, November 17, 2011 at 6:30 PM at The Guild Hall, 39 South Pelham St. in Rhinelander.  The NGLA focuses on community action and labor history eduction.  Joe Hill was a Swedish-American labor activist and songwriter who was accused of murder and excecuted in Salt Lake City in 1915 in a very high-profile national case.  Learn all about him and his life at the NGLA presentation on Thursday.

Walker Recall Effort Begins

United Wisconsin and the Democratic Party of Wisconsin has begun to collect the over 500,000 signatures that it requires in order to recall Governor Scott Walker.  Make sure to find someone who is circulating the petition and sign up today.  Offical circulators will be wearing lanyard to identify themselves, so make sure that the person who is circulting your petition is wearing a lanyard, or is in some other way trustworthy, as there is some concern that fake petitions will be circulated.  When you are done signing, make sure to get three other people to sign as well!

Wisconsin School Districts Hurting Under Budget Repair Bill

    A recent survey by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction and the Wisconsin Association of School District Administrators has found that the majority of school districts across the state have had to reduce staffing levels and increase class sizes since the enactment of the Budget Repair Bill and the latest state budget, rammed through the Legislature by Governor Scott Walker and Republican lawmakers.  The administrators association sent the survey questions to all 424 school districts in the state and 83% responded.  The following graphic showing responses came from the Wisconsin Association of School District Administrators and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 

     As you can see, the vast majority of those districts that answered, including Lakeland Union, Crandon, Mercer, and Hurley had to make some sort of cuts or incease class sizes in some way.  Other local districts such as Three Lakes, Rhinelander, and Phelps responded that they made no cuts.  Northland Pines did not respond to the survey.  The DPI and the administrators association released this statement: "Much has been made of the unremarkable fact that school districts across the state balanced their budget this year.  School districts are required to balance their budgets every year, so the important question is not whether they balanced their budgets, but rather how that balanced budget was received."
      Governor Scott Walker's office has issued a detailed rebuttal to the study, and contends that many of the districts that answered that they had to make reductions were unwilling or unable to adopt the collective bargaining changes allowed by the Budget Repair Bill.  Walker's spokesman, Cullen Werwie, stated that "Governor Walker's reforms are working, schools are staying the same or getting better...while the state will hold the line on property taxes over the next two years."

Ohio Rejects New Collective Bargaining Law

   In a statewide referendum yesterday, the people of the state of Ohio rejected recently implemented collective bargaining laws that were more restrictive than those passed in Wisconsin.  It is being considered a huge victory for labor unions in the state, and a defeat of Republican Governor John Kasich.  You can read more about it by clicking here.

Transition Committee Recap

     At the last Transition Committee meeting, the Committee discussed a potential Table of Contents for a revised Employee Handbook and were informed by the Human Resources Director that a consortium of counties were working together to write a pair of handbooks - one for employees in general and one for management.  The Committee also discussed the implementation of temporary work rules to replace the Union contract after January 1, 2012 until more permanent rules regarding things such as pay, health insurance, and time off can be put into place.   There was also much comment from the employees in attendance, most of it regarding the uncertainty of the future and the low morale in the Courthouse in general.  Thank you to the employees who were brave enough to speak the truth in very difficult circumstances.  The next meeting is scheduled for November 30, 2011 at 4:00 pm in the Courthouse Conference Rooms.  Please make sure to attend, as the Committee was very interested in hearing what issues the employees feel are high priority.  Written comments are also welcome in the Clerk's Office.

Transition Committee Meeting Cancellation

     The Vilas County Transition Committee Meeting that was originally scheduled for today, Wednesday, October 19, 2011 at 4:00 pm has been cancelled.  No make-up time has been scheduled as of yet.  We will let you know as soon as the next meeting is scheduled.

October Regular Meeting

     At the October regular meeting new officers were elected, among other business.  The membership received some updates as to possible changes in health insurance rates, pending County Board approval.  Congratulations to our new officers, all of whom were the sole nomination for their position: President David Sadenwasser, Vice President Connie Gengle, Secretary Marge Garsow, Treasurer Russ Szuta, and Chief Steward Constance Valkenaar.  Thank you to everyone who attended and all those named above who stepped up to help lead the unit.

Walker Recall Effort Date Set

Wisconsin Democratic Party Chairman Mike Tate has announced on the party website that the effort to recall Governor Scott Walker will begin on November 15, 2011.  540,306 valid signatures are required to force a recall election.  Organizers will have 60 days to collect the needed signatures.  You can read more details here.

Nomination Meeting

     Remember, Local 474 will be electing officers at the regular meeting held Monday, October 17, 2011 at 4:05 pm in the Courthouse Conference Rooms.  There are several positions on the executive board that are available to please make sure to attend if you have nominations.  Voting - should elections be needed - will be held in November.

Teachers Unions Apply for Re-Certification

Over 200 teachers and educational support staff unions have filed for re-certification with the state, under Wisconsin Act 10. The Wisconsin Employee Relations Commission - which will oversee the re-certifications - noted that the vast majority were teachers unions.  Teachers and educational support staff had until 4:30 pm yesterday to file and pay a $200 fee to begin the process.

North-Central Labor Coalition Meeting

The North-Central Labor Coalition - which includes both AFSCME and WEAC - will be holding a metting on Thursday, September 29, 2011 at 6:00 pm at the Best Western Claridge Inn in Rhinelander, to discuss strategies for unions going forward.  There will be representatives of your Local 474 in attendance, and all others are invited to attend.

Happy Labor Day

Happy Labor Day to everyone from AFSCME Local 474!  We hope that all our members are enjoying their extra day off, and we would like to thank those of you who are at work today making sure that the world still turns and does so safely while the rest of us are off.  Regardless of your views on organized labor, or on which side of the fence you have stood on during the recent events here in Wisconsin, today is an excellent opportunity to recognize the great impace that organized labor has had on the American social, physical, and financial landscape.  We thank all of our members who have continued their support and activism in these unprecedented times.  This day is for you.  Thank you, and we hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable Labor Day!