Budget bill protests spill over onto local streets, school grounds

Budget bill protests spill over onto local streets, school grounds

(WI) Ladysmith teachers, current students and graduates have publicly rallied in Rusk County against a controversial Wisconsin budget repair bill proposed by Republican governor Scott Walker.

Some passing by the groups picketing honked car horns in support. Others passing by shouted disparaging comments. One stopped to shake the hands of those protesting Walker’s bill requiring public employees contribute more to their state pensions and health care, and limit their collective bargaining abilities.

“I stopped to shake their hands because they are supporting us government workers,” said Richard Hablewitz, a Wisconsin Department of Transportation employee passing through Ladysmith last Friday and stopping to shake the hands of protesters. “It’s fantastic.”

From a student walkout at Flambeau High School that included both support for and protests against the bill to Ladysmith teachers carrying signs during a non-work day due to a mid-winter break in the schedule in support of public employees, the issue of the governor’s budget repair bill has sharply divided the local political scene as much as it has in Madison.

http://www.ladysmithnews.com/full.php?id=8099