The Republican governor of Wisconsin has rejected a request from exiled state Senate Democrats to meet them on the state's border to negotiate a compromise on his controversial plan to balance the state budget.
On Monday, Governor Scott Walker described as “ridiculous” a call by the leader of the Democrats for a meeting at the Wisconsin-Illinois border. All 14 Democratic senators left Wisconsin last month, denying the chamber's Republican majority the required number of lawmakers needed to hold a vote on the budget plan.
That plan calls, among other things, for stripping most public workers' union rights. Governor Walker says the measure is necessary to close a $137 million budget deficit this year, and a $3.6 billion deficit in the next two years.
His controversial measure has led to protests in the state capital, Madison, while recall efforts have begun against both the state's Democratic and Republican lawmakers.
The legislation being debated would deny public employee unions the right to collectively bargain for pensions, benefits and other terms of their employment, while maintaining their right to negotiate wages.
Critics accuse Republicans of using the legislation to weaken the unions. Some also say the move is politically motivated, because labor unions are major contributors to the Democratic Party
Aucun commentaire:
Enregistrer un commentaire