A Paper That Endorsed Walker: "bypassing labor without even trying only muddies the waters"

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110220/GPG0602/102200487/1269/GPG06/Editorial--Walker-on-target--but-approach-troubling

State residents hardly can be surprised Walker wants to take drastic actions. He said as much in the campaign, but Walker didn't make clear his plan included limiting the rights of most public employees to collectively bargain. And he should have... This newspaper, which endorsed the governor in his race against Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, has a tradition of supporting fiscal conservatism on the local, state and national levels. We think Walker is on target in his intention to reduce a massive projected deficit. And frankly, it's difficult to imagine every public employee union in the state would have agreed to the changes Walker seeks.

Still, bypassing labor without even trying only muddies the waters.

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We also are troubled Walker's budget repair bill makes an exception for police, firefighters and the Wisconsin State Patrol. When he introduced the bill, Walker said Wisconsin always has treated those groups differently from other state employees, but critics have a valid argument in that their exemption smacks of political payback for support in the fall election. If sacrifice is the measure, then it should be applied equally to all, including those sworn to uphold the law.

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Sacrifices will be necessary as we navigate the difficult weeks and months ahead. All sides must work together to find a better way forward during these challenging times.