Gov. Walker Informed That Bill Targeting Unions May Cost State $46 Million In Federal Funds

Source: Huffington Post

WASHINGTON -- Budget referees and transportation officials in Wisconsin have informed Gov. Scott Walker (R) that if he were to pass his controversial anti-union legislation into law, he could be forfeiting tens of millions of dollars in federal funds for transportation.

Under an obscure provision of federal labor law, states risk losing federal funds should they eliminate "collective bargaining rights" that existed at the time when federal assistance was first granted. The provision, known as "protective arrangements" or "Section 13C arrangements," is meant as a means of cushioning union (and even some non-union) members who, while working on local projects, are affected by federal grants.

It also could potentially hamstring governors like Walker who want dramatic changes to labor laws in their states. Wisconsin received $74 million in federal transit funds this fiscal year. Of that, $46.6 million would be put at risk should the collective-bargaining bill come to pass -- in the process creating an even more difficult fiscal situation than the one that, ostensibly, compelled Walker to push the legislation in the first place.

The governor is certainly aware of this. While the potential loss of funds may have escaped the attention of many observers, sources familiar with the state's transportation policy tell The Huffington Post that Walker's office has been informed of the relevant legal language. Moreover, in an a nearly unnoticed report filed by the state's Legislative Fiscal Bureau, the non-partisan budget scorekeeper, the stakes are laid fairly bare.

Read more: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/22/walker-unions-wisconsin-protests_n_826908.html

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Feds 1 - Walker 0

It never was, it never will be. $46 million is pocket change. The real money is around the corner, when the unions are busted and the population is reduced to serfdom.

Wanker doesn't care.



TG

Great stuff!

The parasitical greedy class will find that money ceases to be made in such a case. The eventual effect of total success would be to reduce their own standard of living while subjecting themselves to potential plague from medically uncared-for servants. They're greedy, not smart.

If Walker does get this union-busting/public asset sell-off bill passed for the wealthy campaign donors he represents, I'm sure he'll be richly rewarded with a high-paying lobbying job once he leaves office.

I am not sure whats going to bring him down.. he sure seems to be covered in Polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon)!

Nya ha ha

Touché

Aux barricades, citoyens!

Like some people wanted him to? He already had his own trap door

All imho, of course.

:hi:

Not what I voted for. Obama makes Bush look like the "Education President".

Obama and Duncan have set up this whole "blame the public school teacher" ploy very nicely.

I've been a K-12 public school teacher, a higher ed teacher education teacher, and have belonged to several public employee unions. I am currently (very likely for not much longer) a public employee in Wisconsin, but one of the few not allowed to belong to a union. With that said, I truly believe that Obama and Duncan are harmful to the public education system that I have (quite deeply) studied and worked in for well over 20 years.

As I wrote, all imho.


:hi:

touching this because Walker was hanging himself all by himself and that Obama was doing exactly what he should do.

ACIM - a fellow student.

dp

but I'm kind-of glad that Obama hasn't taken a more central role in these disputes. If he were, I think more attention would be given to him, and not the people on the ground. Right now, I think the focus is on them -- we shouldn't have to rely on officials to speak for us all the time. Chances are the message would get watered-down in the process, and be replaced by a milquetoast, hem-hawing debate.

Thank you for posting.

his handlers backed the wrong pretty boy doofus.

Why aren't we hearing more about recalls beginning...I know in WI subject of recall has to have been in office 1 year...what bout those REpugs House and Senate members? Get those petitions going now!

At the top right of the DU page in the search box type in the words ORGANIZING RECALL
and you'll see some threads

Once he has been in office for a year, he can be recalled. He said "For those 14 Senate Democrats, you've had your time. Now it's time to come home."

Next January. "Scott Walker, you've had your time. Now it's time to GO home."

the article in the OP says

"Wisconsin received $74 million in federal transit funds this fiscal year. Of that, $46.6 million would be put at risk should the collective-bargaining bill come to pass...."

----------------------------------------------------------------

So, Wisconsin already accepted money, and they would have to pay a big chunk back!


Walker is screwed :)

Screw you Walker!

The hidden costs are in the lost tourism and other convention business. See Arizona!

Of course this hurts the regular people. Pity the Gov doesn't give a damn.

yes, the President knows.

Wisconsin's Pension Fund Among Nation's Healthiest - Huff Post

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/22/wisconsin-pension-fund-among-healthiest-us_n_826709.html

Does he ever look like a complete fool. What an asshole. I love WI (lived for a while in Madison....loved it). Get the hell out of WI, you POS. The state is wayyyyyy too good for you!

You can't put a price on that. It's the gift that keeps on giving.

It's about union busing, stripping workers of their collective bargaining rights. The right wing in this country is willing to through the entire world into economic turmoil to achieve their goals. That's what they did when Bush was president, and nothing has changed. Once you give them some power, they'll stop at nothing.

alone has probably cost over $45 million already--and counting. And he's turned down light rail money (and the jobs it would create). So saving money is not his agenda here. $45 million is a drop in most state budgets, anyway.

And note the word "risk." No guaranty this will ever happen.

Maybe it's good pr and something to help fill up the 24-hour news cycle, though.

Thanks for posting

blah blah blah blah blah fucking blah -- shove it up Walker's ass.

if it can stop people that educate your kids from having any say whatsoever about anything having to do with their employment. :sarcasm:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x487943 I also included the Huffington Post link as well.

On HSR and internet upgrades for schools. What's a few more?

"It's not the money, it's the principle of the thing!" defense.

Edited to include: Dickhead.

in the federal law? But, it is wonderful it exists. It is telling that the Governor KNOWS of this and went forward anyway.

This will make it even clearer what his real agenda is - as $46 million is a pretty large amount.

He's such a jerk, he would probably take the hit and let us all suffer. Just as a barrel of oil goes to $125 and people are commuting to Milwaukee on I-94 daily.