Very interesting actions here. The battle has moved to the Assembly in Madison, where legislation guided by Gov. Walker ,is pending that would nullify the city's paid sick days law. Here is an editorial on the whole matter.
April 13, 2011 03:10 AM EDT
Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker is meddling in the affairs of local government again. This time, his battle is over a sick leave ordinance scheduled to take effect in Milwaukee. The governor continues to say government should stay out of the people’s business, yet he continues to insert his administration into local affairs.
According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the ordinance was overwhelmingly passed by the voters of Milwaukee in 2008. The law has not taken effect because of lawsuits. The case made it to the Court of Appeals, which upheld the ordinance.
The ordinance requires large businesses to provide up to nine days of sick leave for their employees. Smaller business would provide five days of sick leave. The bill was voted on and passed 19-0 when senate Democrats were in Illinois protesting the governor’s union-busting bill.
In their ruling, the Court of Appeals said, “The ballot did comply with the statutory requirement that it contain 'a concise statement of [the ordinance’s] nature' under WIS. STAT. § 9.20(6). The ordinance as a whole and the specific challenged provisions do not violate substantive due process because there is a rational relationship to the City’s police powers. The ordinance is not preempted by state statutes.”
“The ordinance is not preempted by the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) or the Labor Management Relations Act (LMRA). The ordinance does not violate the state and federal constitutional prohibitions against impairment of contracts. The ordinance does not regulate activity outside the City limits. Accordingly, we reverse and remand with directions to grant summary judgment in favor of 9to5 and to vacate the permanent injunction.”
The governor for his part said, “There's merit to making sure the state's largest municipality isn't an island when it comes to mandating sick days.” There are also Democrats who agree with the governor's decision. Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barret (D) does not support the law because it only affects his city. Two proponents of the bill are incensed about the governor and his meddling in local affairs.
Rep. Christine Sinicki (D-Milwaukee) said, “This bill is a slap in the face to the people of the City of Milwaukee. This was not just some fluke referendum. This was a hard-fought campaign. People were well educated on both sides. Rep. Chris Danou (D-Trempealeau) said, “Why don't we just eliminate local government and rule everything from Madison?”
The current crop of Republicans, including the Tea Party members, claim the government is too involved in the lives of its citizens. The governor himself has said the people should decide what they want and need, not the government. Apparently this only applies when the people agree with the governor. The citizens of Milwaukee spent a lot of time on this issue and voted for its approval. Now the governor and his buddies are telling the people of Milwaukee that their vote does not matter. The Wisconsin governor’s hypocrisy is astounding.
Elections have consequences.
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