20120523144859480

Downing, Karley - GOV
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Check this out
Cullen Werwie
Press Secretary
Office af Gave mar Scatt Walker
Press Office: {608} 267-7303
Email:
www. walker. wi.qov
Werwie, Cullen J - GOV
Tuesday, February 01, 201112:27 PM
Gilkes, Keith - GOV; Schrimpf, Chris - GOV
Union president apologizing for AFSCME behavior (below)
From: Taylor, Cynthia r m;ilhnj
Sent: Tuesday, February 01,
To: H'uebsch, Mike - DOA; GOV General; Sen.Kapanke - LEGIS
Subject: Possible savings for State
Governor Walker, Secretary Huebsch, and Senator Kapanke:
This comes to you from a WSEU Local Union President but someone the believes more along your lines. I
worked at the University of Florida for over 10 years and thought our benefits were extremely good. When I
moved back to my home near La Crosse, WI and got a job at UW-L I was SHOCKED to learn how good the
benefits here were. The one draw back is that I took an almost 50% cut in pay coming back here. But my
husbands increase offset my decrease for the most part.
Recently I quickly through some numbers together and I have attached the spreadsheet. At UF I worked in the
Fringe Benefit Office and was included in negotiations on health insurance. Some ways to decrease premiums
included co-pays and decreased utilization. I have used the current WSEU workforce at UW-L to make some
calculations using some simple assumptions. Now I know nothing is that simple, but I also know that often the
simple solution gets overlooked.
I would also like to apologize for the rude and crude behavior and language used by AFSCME leadership. It is
very unprofessional and certainly does NOT represent all the members opinions and behavior.
Sincerely,
Cyndi Taylor
Cynthia A. Taylor
President WSEU Local1449
and
Dean's Assistant
74
105 GMH
UWLaCrosse
75
From:
Sent:
To:
Cc:
Schrimpf, Chris - GOV
Tuesday, February 01, 201111:32 AM
Lied I, Kimberly - GOV; Brickman, Michael - GOV
Thought this might be of interest to you guys.
G ~ O . P . Governors Take Aim at Teacher Tenure
By TRIP GABRIEL and SAM DILLON
Seizing on a national anxiety over poor student performance, many governors are taking aim at a bedrock tradition of public schools:
teacher tenure.
The momentum began over a year ago with President Obama's call to measure and reward effective teaching, a challenge he repeated in
last week's State of the Union address.
Now several Republican governors have concluded that removing ineffective teachers requires undoing the century-old protections of
tenure.
Governors in Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Nevada and New Jersey have called for the elimination or dismantling of tenure. As state
legislatures convene this winter, anti-tenure bills are being written in those states and others. Their chances of passing have risen
because of crushing state budget deficits that have put teachers' unions on the defensive.
"It's practically impossible to remove an underperforming teacher under the system we have now," said Gov. Brian Sandoval of Nevada,
lamenting that his state has the lowest high school graduation rate in the nation.
Eliminating tenure, Mr. Sandoval said, would allow school districts to dismiss teachers based on competence, not seniority, in the event
oflayoffs.
Politics also play a role.
"These neW Republican governors are all trying to outreform one another," said Michael Petrilli, an education official under President
George W. Bush.
In New York City, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg has campaigned aggressively for the state to end '
1
last in, first out" protections for
teachers. Warning that thousands of young educators face layoffs, Mr. Bloomberg is demanding that Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo scrap the
seniority law if the budget he will unveil Tuesday includes state cuts to education.
Teachers' unions have responded to the assault on the status quo by arguing that all the ire directed at bad teachers distorts the issue.
76
"Why aren't governors standing up and saying, 'In our state, we'll devise a system where nobody will ever get into a classroom who isn't
competent'?" said Dennis VanRoekel, president of the National Education Association. "Instead they are saying, 'Let's make it easy to
fire teachers.' That's the wrong goal."
Tenure laws were originally passed - New Jersey was first in 1909 -to protect teachers from being fired because of race, sex, political
views or cronyism.
Public-school teachers typically earn tenure after two or three years on probation. Once they receive it, they have a right to due-process
hearings before dismissal, which in many districts makes it expensive and time-consuming to fire teachers considered ineffective.
Tenure also brings seniority protections in many districts.
In recent years, research on the importance of teacher quality has sparked a movement to evaluate teachers on how well students are
learning - with implications that undermine tenure.
The movement gained momentum with the Obama administration's Race to the Top grant contest last year. Eleven states enacted laws
to link student achievement to teacher evaluations and, in some cases, to pay and job security, according to the American Enterprise
Institute.
Now some politicians and policy makers have concluded that if teachers owe their jobs to professional performance, then tenure
protections are obsolete.
The former school chancellor of Washington, D.C., Michelle Rhee, who campaigned against tenure as early as 2007, has made
abolishing it a cornerstone of a new advocacy group, Students First, which has advised the governors of Florida, Nevada and New
Jersey.
All are Republicans, but Ms. Rhee, a Democrat, insisted that the movement was bipartisan.
"There's a willingness to confront these issues that has never before been in play," she said, noting that some influential Democratic
mayors, including Cory A. Booker in Newark and Antonio R. Villaraigosa in Los Angeles, have also called for making it easier to dismiss
irieffective teachers.
In a speech in December, Mr. Villaraigosa- who once worked as a teachers union organizer- said, "Tenure and seniority must be
reformed or we will be left with only one option: eliminating it entirely."
The two national teachers' unions insist that they, too, favor some degree of reform. The American Federation of Teachers endorsed a
sweeping law in Colorado last year that lets administrators remove even tenured teachers who are consistently rated as ineffective.
Many teachers who accept linking job security to their effectiveness still want to require administrators to present any evidence against
them in a hearing, which critics of tenure like Ms. Rhee say is unnecessary.
Ada Beth Cutler, dean of the education college at Montclair State University in New Jersey, said, "One of the fears I hear from teachers
is that in these tough budget times, what's going to stop someone from firing someone at the top of the pay scale?"
77
Mr. VanRoekel of the National Education Association labels tenure laws "fair dismissal laws" that protect from arbitrary firing.
"In all my years in education I don't remember a time when there was this much concerted effo1t to eliminate fair dismissal laws,'' he
said.
In New Jersey, Gov. Chris Christie, whose combativeness with the teachers' union has buoyed his national reputation, appears to have a
good chance of getting a bill from the Democratic-controlled Legislature that reshapes tenure.
Under a pair of bills moving through the Indiana General Assembly, teachers would have to earn "professional" status based on
evaluations tied to student learning, and their collective bargaining would be limited to salary, not seniority rules.
"Most ofthese reforms would have been dead on arrival" last year, said Tony Bennett, the Indiana superintendent of public instruction.
Gov. Mitch Daniels oflndiana has said that "teachers should have tenure," but the bills introduced by his fellow Republicans call for
teachers' traditional protections to be sharply reduced.
It is similar in Florida, where lawmakers plan to reprise an anti-tenure bill from last year that provoked such an outpouring from
teachers that the moderate Republican governor, Charlie Crist, vetoed it.
That is unlikely under the new Republican governor, Rick Scott, who told the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce last month: "Good
teachers know they don't need tenure. There is no reason to have it except to protect those that don't petform as they should._"
And in Idaho, Gov. C. L. Otter, a Republican, presented an education plan last month that said bluntly, "The state will phase out
tenure."
Idaho's schools superintendent, Tom Luna, argued that the plan would not subject teachers to arbitrary dismissal.
Mr. VanRoekel of the teachers' union disagreed. Recounting a story that had the burnish of something told many times, he recalled that
around 1980, when he was a union leader in Arizona, he had arranged to have a speech pathologist assess a teacher whom a principal
was trying to fire because of a speech impediment. The pathologist determined that the teacher had a New York accent.
"She would say 'ideer,' instead of 'idea,' " Mr. VanRoekel said. "The principal thought that was a speech impediment. Without a fair
dismissal law, that principal could have fired her arbitrarily, without citing any reason."
Chris Schrimpf
Communications Director
Office of the Governor
Press Office: 608-267-7303
Email: chris.schrimpj@wisconsin.gov
78
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Thursday, February 10, 20114:15 PM
Wei house, Andrew- LEGIS; Werwie, Cullen J - GOV
RE: that was fast
No kidding, and it wasn't even from us. Glad our offices will be in the mix later.
Chris Schrimpf
From: Welhouse, Andrew [mailto:Andrew.Welhouse@legis.wisconsin.gov]
Sent: Thursday, February 10, 2011 4:09 PM
To: Werwie, Cullen J - GOV; Schrimpf, Chris - GOV
Subject: that was fast
news3lessica Jessica Arp
MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Source briefed on Wis. governor's budget says he'll cut most collective bargaining
rights
32
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
news3jessica Jessica Arp
Welhouse, Andrew <Andrew.Welhouse@legis.wisconsin.gov>
Thursday, February 10, 2011 4:09 PM
Werwie, Cullen J - GOV; Schrimpf, Chris - GOV
that was fast
MADISON, Wis. (AP) --Source briefed on Wis. governor's budget says he'll cut most collective bargaining
rights
33
From: Schrimpf, Chris - GOV
Sent: Thursday, February 10, 2011 7:43AM
To: Werwie, Cullen J - GOV; Murray, Ryan M - GOV; Schutt, Eric- GOV
Subject: Ohio: GOP looks to strip unions of collective bargaining
COLUMBUS-- Ohio's unions saw this coming.
The Republican-led Ohio Senate -- with strong support from new Republican Gov. John Kasich --
detailed Wednesday how they plan to overhaul the state's collective bargaining laws to weaken what
they see as costly union clout.
Economic times are too hard, and the stakes too high, for Ohio taxpayers to continue to do business
as usual, according to Senate leaders.
But union leaders who jammed the Statehouse cried foul, charging that the GOP agenda is to
weaken decades of protection for organized governmentemployees, a move they say would hurt
middle-class communities.
Senate Bill 5 would:
Wipe out, or severely limit, collective bargaining for all state workers -- including unionized faculty
and staff at Ohio colleges and community colleges.
Ban public employee strikes.
Weaken binding arbitration for police and firefighters, who cannot strike.
Limit a local union's right to bargain for health insurance.
Eliminate automatic pay increases for public employees.
Strip teachers of the right to pick their classes or schools.
To help state and local governments, Senate President Tom Niehaus argues new limits must be
placed on public unions.
But Niehaus, R-New Richmond, cautioned that by the time a final bill is agreed upon, it may not be as
severe as union leaders fear.
34
With an $8 billion state budget gap forecast this year, cutbacks and hardship must be shared by
Ohio's union workers, according to Kasich.
Republican leaders of the Ohio House and Senate, who must pass Kasich's first two-year budget by
June 30, generally agree.
But spokesmen for the state's largest unions say public workers already gave up $1 00 million in
health benefits and $250 million in pay to help balance the current budget, passed in July 2009 when
Ted Strickland was governor.
Union concessions included four weeks of unpaid furloughs -- 80 hours each year-- no pay raises
and the loss of five personal days.
Anticipating even tougher times in a Kasich administration, nearly all of the unions' campaign
contributions went to Strickland before the Democrat's loss on Nov. 2.
Political experts said Strickland's strong union support helped keepthe election close. That's why, on
Nov. 3, Kasich warned state teachers' and labor unions they should have been talking to him about
their concerns.
In fact, Kasich joked after his victory that school unions should take out full-page newspaper ads
apologizing for what they said about him during the campaign.
PAYBACK TIME
Nearly 1,000 union members, including police, firefighters, prison guards, teachers and laborers,
crowded the Statehouse atrium, hallways and four hearing rooms Wednesday to listen to details of
legislation sponsored by Sen. Shannon Jones, a southwest Ohio Republican.
Outside, dozens of protestors in yellow shirts carried signs urging legislators to vote against Jones'
bill.
Jones' bill is a starting point for "gutting" current laws protecting the rights of organized workers,
according to Ohio AFL-CIO President Tim Burga.
"This bill is a partisan assault on working families and does nothing but punish workers and hurt the
middle class, plain and simple," Burga said.
The Ohio Education Association, which represents about 130,000 teachers, professors and other
school and college workers, is equally unnerved that Jones' bill could gain steam, as has anti-union
legislation in a half dozen other states led by new Republican governors.
35
Education Week, in its Tuesday edition, concluded: "Lawmakers in several states are challenging
collective bargaining, the foundation of teacher unionism."
In Idaho and Indiana, Republican leaders are proposing bills that would limit collective bargaining for
wages and benefits, according to the national publication. Newly introduced legislation in Tennessee
would eliminate teachers' rights to bargain altogether, Education Week reported.
Ohio Civil Service Employees Association President Eddie L. Parks joined leaders of a dozen other
unions to say Senate Bill 5, if passed and signed into law by Kasich, would hurt local communities
while stifling job growth.
"No economic problem was ever solved by cutting the middle class," Parks said.
"How does cutting jobs create jobs?" asked John A. Lyall, president of Council 8 of the American
Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees. AFSCME Council 8 has more than 41,000
members in local unions representing city, county, hospital, and university employees along with
boards of education, nonprofit workers and other public service employees.
DECADES-OLD DISPUTE
Ohio's law allowing collective bargaining for state employees only dates back to the early 1980s, but
the argument over whether public employees have the right to organize had been going on for
decades before that.
The 1983 law gave state employees the right to organize and required the state to bargain with their
unions.
The law told police and fire unions that they had no right to strike. Instead, the law gave them
arbitration in deadlocks over contracts.
The arbitration system in the 1983 law was upheld by the Ohio Supreme Court six years later.
But if the GOP-controlled legislature does away with the 1983 law, police and fire unions would not
only have no right to strike, but no guarantee of arbitration.
Instead, if contract talks with a government body were at a deadlock, members of police and fire
unions would work under their prior union contracts for a year.
From local and state governments' perspective, one of the law's major flaws is that it requires an
arbitrator to choose one side or the other, instead of seeking a middle ground.
36
Kasich has repeatedly criticized the part of the law allowing an arbitrator to come in from another
state to rule on an Ohio dispute.
Chris Schrimpf
Office of the Govemor
37
Mohr, Mark - GOV
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Wednesday, February 09, 2011 2:28 PM
Werwie, Cullen J - GOV; Gilkes, Keith - GOV; Murray, Ryan M - GOV; Schutt, Eric - GOV
AP
While Republicans control both the Senate and Assembly, changing the state's collective bargaining
law to turn health care and pensions into items the union can no longer negotiate could be political
dynamite.
Darling said whether the Legislature would be willing to undo collective bargaining rights "is the big
question."
Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, R-Juneau, said last month that he hoped Walker would first
reach out to the unions before seeking law changes.
"We're not going to walk through hell and go through that ifthe governor doesn't offer that up," he
said.
Chris Schrimpf
Email: chris.schrilhpf@wisconsin.gov
1
Sent: Wednesday, February 09, 20111:57 PM
To:
Cc: Werwie, Cullen J- GOV; Evenson, Tom- GOV
Subject: FYI: NOMINATIONS SOUGHT FOR VIRGINIA HART AWARD
Governor- FYI this is annual award and release that the Governor's office sends. It does not include a quote from you.
NOMINATIONS SOUGHT FOR VIRGINIA HART AWARD
MADISON- Nominations are being sought for a prestigious award that recognizes the contributions and
achievements of women in Wisconsin state government.
The Virginia Hart Special Recognition Award is administered by the Office of State Employment Relations.
Gov. Scott Walker urges state workers to nominate women who are making a difference in state government.
Nominations may be made by anyone, and are accepted through
March 30, 2011. Nominees can be in classified or unclassified service, and from any part of the state. limited-
term employees and employees of the Legislature and university are not eligible.
The winner of this year's award, who will also receive $250, will be honored at the annual Virginia Harts Award
Event in Madison in May.
Virginia Hart was Wisconsin's first woman cabinet secretary, and friends and colleagues established a fund
after her retirement in 1983 to annually recognize the contributions of a woman in state government.
To obtain a nomination form, visit: http:Uoser.state.wi.us. For more information, contact Dee Surillo in the
Office of State Employment Relations at (608} 266-9820 or dominga.surillo@oser.state.wi.us
Chris Schrimpf
###
44
From:
Sent:
To:
Cc:
Subject:
Gilkes, Keith - GOV
Tuesday, February 08, 201111:42 AM
Werwie, Cullen J - GOV; Schrimpf, Chris - GOV
Murray, Ryan M - GOV; Schutt, Eric - GOV
URGENT ACTION NEEDED: Protect Wisconsin Workers
Importance:
High
This is the message the SEIU employees received after the state of the state address on Tuesday.
On Tuesday night, Governor Walker issued his 'State of the State' address that puts the needs of big business
over working families by calling for an increase in pension and healthcare premiums for all state workers
including SEIU Healthcare Wisconsin members. Governor Walker admits our state workers "have had to do
more with less" but thinks only corporations rather than the hard working families of Wisconsin deserve
breaks. Despite his admission, he is calling for state workers to pay an additional 12% towards their
health care costs and another 5% towards their pensions.
State workers have already shouldered their burden to help the state deficit by agreeing to 16 furlough days,
insurance premium increases and zero per cent pay increases over the next contract. This amounts to a
total of 9% pay decrease for every state wc;>rker. Now Governor Walker is asking for more sacrifices by
working families while he sits backs and fails to create a single idea around job creation.
49
Governor Walker has passed a series of bills through the state legislature that will create few il any jobs, and
actually ADD over $130 million to the state deficit! Rather than create new jobs, these bills give
corporations tax breaks and protect big business from liability.
Wisconsin already has one of the leanest public sector workforces in the country. Balancing the budget on the
back of hardworking public servants will make it impossible for them to deliver the kinds of important local
services that keep our communities strong, healthy, and safe. Instead of allowing politicians to attack the
state workers in our communities, we should be doing more to protect everyone in o u r ~
shrinking middle class. They want to pit public workers like correctional officers, nurses and cops against
working families who pay for those services. The result will be less protection on our streets and in our
homes, more crowded classrooms, higher patient loads at state facilities and dangerous bridges and tunnels.
We cannot let this happen. We cannot sit this one out. Take action today, and commit to fighting back. Sign up
now to protect fellow SEIU Healthcare Wisconsin brothers and sisters to tell our elected officials, "We want
jobs now, not corporate handouts!"
To get involved, CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP to be part of this important effort! or contact us at 608-277-
1199 or toll free at 1-888-285-1199. Be part of the solution, get involved.
Sign up at http://hcwi.seiu .org/page/signup/201 012SignupForF airWagesBenefits
SERVICE EMPLOYEES INTERNATIONAL UNION (SEIU) HEALTHCARE WISCONSIN
Madison Office (Main): 4513 Vernon Blvd., Suite 300, Madison. Wl53705 608-277-1199,888-285-1199
Milwaukee Office: 260 E. Highland Ave., Milwaukee, Wl53202 414-455-3840, 877-306-1199
LaCrosse Office: 2421 Larson St., LaCrosse, Wl54603 608-787-8835, 877-787-8635
so
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51
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Tuesday, February 08, 2011 8:49AM
Kitzman, Nick- GOV
RE: ICYMI: Politifact TRUE:Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker says state employees could pay
twice as much for health care premiums and still be paying half the national average
Will do we sent this to all gop legislators
Chris Schrimpf
Office of the Govemor
Email: chris. schrimpf@wisconsin. gov
From: Kitzman, Nick- GOV
Sent: Tuesday, February 08, 2011 8:46AM
To: Schrimpf, Chris- GOV
Subject: RE: ICYMI: Politifact TRUE:Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker says state employees could pay twice as much for
health care premiums and still be paying half the national average
Hi Chris,
Some legislative staff have asked to be included on your distribution list for press things. I'm not sure if th.is is one of
those types of distributions, but could you please add heather.smith@leqis.wisconsin.gov to any press release distribution
list that is being made public. Thanks for your assistance.
Nick Kitzman
Legislative Affairs Assistant
of Governor Scott Walker
Sent: Tuesday, February 08, 2011 8: 18 AM
To: Schrimpf, Chris - GOV
Subject: ICYMI: Politifact TRUE: Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker says state employees could pay twice as much for health
care premiums and still be paying half the national average
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker says state employees could pay
twice as much for health care premiums and still be paying half the
'national average
Gov. Scott Walker left no doubt in his first "state of the state" address that he wants benefits concessions from state
employees.
Walker said state employees need to share the pain felt by private-sector workers so the state can balance its budget
52
without tax .increases. In making his case, ne tossed out some stark statistics on pensions and health care coverage:
"Most state workers only pay about 6 percent of their premium costs for their health care plan," Walker told
lawmakers. "Asking public employees to make ... a premium payment of 12 percent, which is about half of the national
average, would save the state more than $30 million over three months."
He added: "Most workers outside of government would love a deal like that- particularly if it means saving jobs."
We set out to test the governor's claim.
Walker press secretary Cullen Werwie pointed to a Kaiser Family Foundation study that employees nationally -- public
and private -- pay an average of 29 percent of the cost of the premiums. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported
those findings on Sept. 12, 2010.
Werwie also provided state documents showing the premium contribution by union and non-union state workers, as
well as the total premium cost to the state. He said they show that most state employees pay between 4 percent and
6 percent.
Let's dig into both sides of the equation.
First, is Walker correct that "most" state employees pay only about 6 percent?
Unionized state workers in the most common insurance tier pay $78 a month on family premiums that cost the state
between $1,500 and $1,800, state figures show. That's in the 4 percent to 5 percent range by our calculation. Non-
union state workers pay a bit more -- $89 a month in most cases. That works out to a 5 percent to 6 percent share.
So Walker's number looks good.
And so does the "most state employees" claim: More than 98 percent of state employees fall into those categories,
according to figures from the state's Department of Employee Trust Funds. .
There is a higher-premium plan in which some state employees pay about 1S percent of the cost, or $412 a month.
But it is used by just a tiny fraction of state government workers.
Just to cap this off, we asked the state to calculate the employee share across all plans, both single and family
coverag<:', for all employees. They came up with 5.6 percent.
Now the national side.
First, a bit of background. The national cost trend is clear. Since 2000, average premiums for family coverage have
increased 114 percent, the Kaiser study found.
Several other studies back up Walker's claim on the national numbers regarding public and private employees.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 2010 health care benefits survey put the employee share at 32 percent for family
coverage. It's 21 percent for single coverage.
Of course, there is a range, but that's the collective national figure for civilian workers, public and private. Union
workers paid much less than non-represented workers.
Now let's tease out just government workers, to see how Wisconsin compares there.
The Kaiser study -- the one relied on by Walker for his overall comparison -- put the employee share paid by state
and local government workers nationwide at 25 percent for family coverage.
Finally, a study by The Segal Co., a private benefits firm, that looked just at state government workers showed a
majority paying between 20 percent and 60 percent of their premium costs for family coverage.
If Wisconsin workers are paying around 6 percent, that puts them in the bottom fifth nationally among state
employees, Segal's data shows. A very small number pay zero toward their premium.
There's a clear trend toward asking state employees to pay more, the Segal study said. Still, private-sector workers
are being asked to share even more, said J. Richard Johnson, Segal's public sector health practice leader.
53
Experts warn against drawing comparisons without looking at employees' total package of wages and benefits -- and
what they may have given up to get them. (We examined another aspect of that In an earlier item on public vs.
private sector pay.)
So in this item we're not trying to determine where Wisconsin workers stand in the big picture.
1;\ut we can come to a firm conclusion on the state employee health premiums, here and nationally.
The governor relies on a statistic that mixes public and private workers, but in this case that's not a problem: Walker's
point is that state workers need to be more in line with their private counterparts. Walker's numbers for state workers
and the national context are right on target. And his math holds up even when the comparison is narrowed to just
public employees.
We rate his statement True.
Chris Schrimpf
54
Mohr, Mark - GOV
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Hi Chris,
Kitzman, Nick- GOV
Tuesday, February 08, 2011 8:46AM
RE: JCYMI: Politifact TRUE:Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker says state employees could pay
twice as much for health care premiums and still be paying half the national average
Some legislative staff have asked to be included on your distribution list for press things. I'm not sure if this is one of
those types of distributions, but could you please add heather.smith@legis.wisconsin.gov to any press release distribution
list that is being made public. Thanks for your assistance.
Nick Kitzman
Office of Governor Scott Walker
608-264-8203
Sent: Tuesday, February 08, 2011 8:18AM
Subject: ICYMI: Politifact TRUE:Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker says state employees could pay twice as much for health
care premiums and still be paying half the national average
c."""''"". P-m cguld pay . ..... .

. ' .. . .. . . . .. ' .. ;. .. .
his first ''stafe ofth;Ystate'' he w'ants
----, ' --
statecan its oqdget
health care coverage:
- -- ': - ._. __, __ - ', ',' __ , -_,._,-:-' <- -'- --
h>rtheir health plan,"Walkf!r 1:C>1d ,.
av'>rade: wu.u.c .. of 12 percent, which is about halfof the rii!tional
wnrk<r<A m5ta;H>r wo1Jid .love a daJ Hkethat- if it !1leahs
- __ -_- - ,--.-- '' -- ' -
ctC>cumeDtsshowingthe ;Srerniuf11 by union and non"lmion state workers,
,---, orernillm cost l:()the)tate.!-le said. they show'thatn1ost sMe employees 'pay between 4,percer\t and
1
Let's dig into both sides of the equation.
First, is Walker correct that "most" state employees pay only about 6 percent?
Unionized state workers in the most common insurance tier pay $78 a month on family premiums that cost the state
between $1,500 and $1,800, state figures show. That's in the 4 percent to 5 percent range by our calculation. Non-
union state workers pay a bit more -- $89 a month in most cases. That works out to a 5 percent to 6 percent share.
So Walker's number looks good.
And so does the "most state employees" claim: More than 98 percent of state employees fall into those categories,
according to figures from the state's Department of Employee Trust Funds.
There is a higher-premium plan in which some state employees pay about 15 percent of the cost, or $412 a month.
But it is used by just a tiny fraction of state government workers.
Just to cap this off, we asked the state to calculate the employee share across all plans, both single and family
coverage, for all employees. They came up with 5.6 percent.
Now the national side;
First, a bit of background. The national cost trend Is clear. Since 2000, average premiums for family coverage have
increased 114 percent, the Kaiser study found.
Several other studies back up Walker's claim on the national numbers regarding public and private employees.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 2010 health care benefits survey put the employee share at 32 percent for family
coverage. It's 21 percent for single coverage.
Of course, there is a range, but that's the collective national figure for civilian workers, public and private. Union.
workers paid much less than non-represented workers.
Now let's tease out just government workers, to see how Wisconsin compares there.
The Kaiser study -- the one relied on by Walker for his overall comparison -- put the employee share paid by state
and local government workers nationwide at 25 percent for family coverage.
Finally, a study by The Segal Co., a private benefits firm, that looked just at state government workers showed a
majority paying between 20 percent and 60 percent of their premium cost? for family coverage.
If Wisconsin workers are paying around 6 percent, that puts them in the bottom fifth nationally among state
employees, Segal's data shows. A very small number pay zero toward their premium.
There's a clear trend toward asking state employees to pay more, the Segal study said. Still, private-sector workers
are being asked to share even more, said J. Richard Johnson, Segal's public sector health practice leader.
Experts warn against drawing comparisons without looking at employees' total package of wages and benefits -- and
what they may have given up to get them. (We examined another aspect of that in an earlier item on public vs.
private sector pay.)
So in this item we're not trying to determine where Wisconsin workers stand in the big picture:
But we can come to a firm conclusion on the state employee health premiums, here and nationally.
The governor relies on a statistic that mixes public and private workers, but in this case that's not a problem: Walker's
point is that state workers need to be more in line with their private counterparts. Walker's numbers for state workers
and the national context are right on target. And his math holds up even when the comparison is narrowed to just
public employees.
We rate his statement True.
56
Chris Schrimpf
Email: chris.schrimpf@wisconsin.gov
57
From:
Sent:
To:
Cc:
Subject:
This would be good for the LG
Chris Schrimpf
Monday, February 07, 2011 9:35 AM
Ed.Eberle@wi.gov
Cullen.Werwie@wi.gov
FW: State Journal: Big cuts in blue states, too
From: Debbe Kinsey [mailto
Sent: Monday, February 07,
Sub]ect: RE: State Journal: Big cuts in blue states, too
Chris, our Legislative Committee meets the 2nd Monday of each month at our office in Merrill. Traditionally
someone from the governor's office tries to attend this quarterly to give updates. Who should be our contact
person for this meeting?
Thanks for your assistance.
Celebrating 100 Years of Service to Merrill Businesses in 2011!
Debbe Kinsey
Deb be Kinsey
Executive Director
Merrill Area Chamber of Commerce
705 North Center Avenue
Merrill, WI 54452
(715) 536-9474 -(715) 539-2043 FAX
TOLL FREE (877) 907-2757
w-.."'v.merrillchamber.org
Find us on Faccbool' & become a Fan!
II L /1
Visit Merrill, a reason
1
or everlj season
"Merriff :lfrea Cht.m6er of Commerce
&;: 9n{ormafion Cenfer
Location. Nature. People.
81
This electronic message and any files transmitted with it are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the individual
or entity to whom they are addressed. Dissemination, forwarding, printing or copying of this message/documents without
consent of the sender is prohibited.
- - - ~ ~ - - - - - - - - - -------
From: Schrimpf, Chris - GOV [mailto:Chris.Schrimpf@wisconsin.gov]
Sent: Monday, February 07, 20119:19 AM
Subject: State Journal: Big cuts in blue states, too
Below is an Editorial that ran in the Wisconsin State Journal over the weekend that recognizes the reality of state budgets
and the opportunity for frugality
Big cuts in blue states, too
State Journal editorial I Posted: Sunday, February 6, 2011 6:00am
Cuts to public schools, state universities and health programs.
A 10 percent reduction in take-home pay for state employees.
As many as 10,000 layoffs.
Those aren't the actions of Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker- at least not yet.
Those are the budget proposals from Democratic governors in states such as New York and California.
It shows how dire the finances of so many states have become, and how bipartisan the mood is to control
spending. Gone are the federal stimulus dollars that propped up pre-recession state spending. Gone is the public
appetite for tax hikes and new borrowing.
"There's no Democratic or Republican philosophical dispute here. The numbers have to balance, and the
numbers now don't balance .... It's painful, but it is also undeniable."
Those are the words of Democratic New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo. He just proposed a $1 billion cut to state
education aid, a 10 percent reduction to state agencies and as many as 10,000 layoffs if state worker unions
don't agree to concessions.
Even California's liberal Gov. Jerry Brown has proposed slashing welfare spending in half, cutting aid to
universities by almost 20 percent and reducing take-home pay for state workers by 8 percent to 1 0 percent.
It's not mean-spiritedness that's driving such proposals. It's financial and political reality.
Walker highlighted Cuomo's words during Walker's State of the State speech Tuesday night in Madison.
82
Cuomo is right, Walker said. What's needed is "swift, corrective action" to fix Wisconsin's $3 billion budget
gap. That will surely include reductions in most if not all major state programs.
In addition, Walker gave specific targets for state employee concessions. He wants to increase pension
contributions from "next to nothing" to just over 5 percent, which is about the national average. Walker also
wants state employees to double, from 6 percent to 12 percent, what they pay toward their health care
premiums. Twelve percent is about halfthe national average, he said.
Walker isn't singling out state workers. He's including them as part of a much broader budget solution. And he
was wise last week to tone down his campaign rhetoric, praising state workers for their efforts and ability to do
more with less.
It won't be easy or painless. But an honest and frugal budget fix is needed to move Wisconsin forward toward
better days and greater investment.
Checked by A VG- www.avg.com
Version: 10.0.1204 I Virus Database: 1435/3428 -Release Date: 02/07/11
83
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Debbe i
Monday, February 07, 2011 9:28AM
RE: State Journal: Big cuts in blue states, too
Chris, our Legislative Committee meets the 2"d Monday of each month at our office in Merrill. Traditionally
someone from the governor's office tries to attend this quarterly to give updates. Who should be our contact
person for this meeting?
Thanks for your assistance.
Celebrating 100 Years of Service to Merrill Businesses in 2011!
Debbe Kinsey
Debbe Kinsey
Executive Director
Merrill Area Chamber of Commerce
705 North Center Avenue
Merrill, WI 54452
536-9474 - (715) 539-2043 FAX
FREE (877) 907-2757
Visit Merrill, ,,a reason for eve:J season"
'Merriff :/{rea Chamber of Commerce
.!i:: 'Jnformafion Center
...... ..,
merrill
, ~ , - >g::;htO;
Location. Nature. People .
This electronic message and any files transmitted with it are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the individual
or entity to whom they are addressed. Dissemination, forwarding, printing or copying of this message/documents without
consent of the sender is prohibited.
From: Schrimpf, Chris - GOV [mailto:Chris.Schrimpf@wisconsin.gov]
Sent: Monday, February 07, 2011 9:19AM
Subject: State Journal: Big cuts in blue states, too
84
State Journal editorial I Posted: Sunday, February 6, 20 II 6:00 am
Cuts to public schools,. state universities and health programs.
A I 0 percent reduction in take-home pay for state employees.
"There's no Democratic or Republican philosophical dispute here. The numbers have to balance, and the
Those are the words of Democratic New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo. He just proposed a $1 billion cut to state
education aid, a 10 percent reduction to state agencies and as many as I 0,000 layoffs if state worker unions
don't agree to concessions.
universities by almost 20 percent and reducing take-home pay for state workers by 8 percent to I 0 percent.
gap. That will surely include reductions in most if not all major state programs.
premiums. Twelve percent is about half the national average, he said.
more with less.
85
Checked by AVG- www.avg.com
Version: 10.0.1204 I Virus Database: 1435/3428- Release Date: 02/07/11
86
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Monday, February 07, 2011 9:19AM
State Journal: Big cuts in blue states, too
State Journal editorial! Posted: Sunday, February 6, 2011 6:00 aru
Cuts to public schools, state universities and health prograrus.
"There's no Democratic or Republican philosophical dispute here. The numbers have to. balance, and the
. Those are the words New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo. He just proposed a $1 billion cut to state
education aid, a 10 percent reduction to state agencies and as many as 10,000 layoffs if state worker unions
don't agree to concessions;
universities by almost 20 percent and reducing take-home pay for state workers by 8 percent to 10 percent.
gap. That will surely include reductions in most if not all major state prograrus.
89
premiums. Twelve percent is about half the national average, he said.
more with less.
90
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
~ 6 , 20119:40 AM
---Werwie, Cullen J- GOV; Evenson, Tom- GOV
Tweets and good editorial
Governor- we thought this might make a good tweet. Also as you know today is Reagans 100th Birthday.
"State Journal editorial recognizing the reality of state budgets and opportunity for frugality"
http://m.host.madison.com/mobile/news/opinion/editorial/article_ 4f23fb7e-313c-11e0-8377-001cc4c002eO.html
Cuts to public schools, state universities and health programs.
It shows how dire the finances of so many states have become, and how bipartisan the mood is to control spending.
Gone are the federal stimulus dollars that propped up pre-recession state spending. Gone is the public appetite for tax
hikes and new borrowing.
"There's no Democratic or Republican philosophical dispute here. The numbers have to balance, and the numbers now
don't balance .... It's painful, but it is also undeniable."
Those are the words of Democratic New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo. He just proposed a $1 billion cut to state education
aid, a 10 percent reduction to state agencies and as many as 10,000 layoffs if state worker unions don't agree to
concessions.
Even California's liberal Gov. Jerry Brown has proposed slashing welfare spending in half, cutting aid to universities by
almost 20 percent and reducing take-home pay for state workers by 8 percent to 10 percent.
Walker nigh lighted Cuomo's words during Walker's State of the State speech Tuesday night in Madison.
Cuomo is right, Walker said. What's needed is "swift, corrective action" to fix Wisconsin's $3 billion budget gap. That will
surely include reductions in most if not all major state programs.
In addition, Walker gave specific targets for state employee concessions. He wants to increase pension contributions
from "next to nothing" to just over 5 percent, which is about the national average. Walker also wants state employees to
double, from 6 percent to 12 percent, what they pay toward their health care premiums. Twelve percent is about half
the national average, he said.
Walker isn't singling out state workers. He's including them as part of a much broader budget solution. And he was wise
last week to tone down his campaign rhetoric, praising state workers for their efforts and ability to do more with less.
91
It won't be easy or painless. But an honest and frugal budget fix is needed to move Wisconsin forward toward better
days and greater investment.
92
From: Evenson, Tom - GOV
Sent:
To:
Friday, February 04, 2011 9:00 AM
Evenson, Tom- GOV
Subject: Morning News Update 02.04.11
Daily Headline Goal: Governor Walker signs small business tax relief; Wisconsin prepares to recapture
Lombardi Trophy
Office of Governor Scott Walker- Morning News Update for February 4. 2011
News Summary:
Governor Walker embarks on his State of the State Tour; hits 5 cities in one day.
The Nation's unemployment rate fell to g.o%.
Governor Walker makes a Super Bowl bet with PA Governor Corbett
The State Legislature will not take up Governor Walker's wind farm regulations in Special Session, according to
aides from legislative leadership.
Democrats and editorial boards ask for more details following the Governor's State of the State Address.
Wisconsin's Front Pages:
Appleton Post-Crescent
Eau Claire 'Leader-Telegram
Green Bay Press Gazette
La Crosse Tribune
Manitowoc Herrud Times Reporter
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Oshkosh Northwestern
Racine Journal Times
Sheboygan Press
Stevens Point Journal
Wisconsin State Journal
Nation/World
Unemployment falls to q.o pet .. only 36K new jobs
Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The unemployment rate dropped sharply last month to 9 percent, the lowest level in nearly two
years. But the economy generated only 36,ooo net new jobs, the fewest in four months.
ObamaCare's Repeal Has Begun
by Kimberly Strassel- Wall Street Journal
This week's Senate vote to scrap an IRS reporting requirement is the start of a piece by piece approach.
The States Can't Afford ObamaCare
by George Melloan- Wall Street Journal
Their budgets will be crushed by the Medicaid expansions that the feds are forcing on them.
Governors Get Advice for Saving on Medicaid
by Robert Pear -New York Times
Mike Schrimpf, a spokesman for the Republican Governors Association, said, "Secretary Sebelius's cleverly buried
response to governors is that she is still studying the issue."
Sebelius outlines state flexibility and federal support available for Medicaid
Department of Health and Human Services
93
See Secretary Sebelius' letter to the Nation's Governors
.. White House. Egypt Discuss Plan for Mubarak's Exit
by Helene Cooper and Mark Landler -New York Times
WASHINGTON -The Obama administration is discussing with Egyptian officials a proposal for President Hosni
Mubarak to resign immediately and turn over power to a transitional government headed by Vice President Omar
Suleiman with the support of the Egyptian military, administration officials and Arab diplomats said Thursday.
Ronald Reagan at 100 -his enduring legacy
by Stephen Dinan- Washington Times
From the granite facade of Mount Rushmore to road signs and school buildings in communities across the country, the
push is goiug strong to enshdne Ronald Reagan's legacy in stone and steel- a fitting tribute, admirers say, to the man
who ended communism in Europe and turned the political debate from Roosevelt's New Deal to supply-side economics or,
more simply, Reaganism.
Milwaukee
Walker. Pennsylvania governor make Super Bowl bet
by Patrick Marley- Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Madison- Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker made a Super Bowl bet Thursday with Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett that will
require the loser to wear gear of the other state's team.
Walk-0-Meter:Tracking the promises of Scott Walker
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Promises Kept 7, Compromise 1, In the Works 6, Not Rated 51
False: Gov. Scott Walker says surveys repeatedly showed businesses considered tort reform as a top
prioritv
Politifact Wisconsin- Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Gov. Scott Walker sounded a bit defensive when signing a lawsuit-reform bill he called for during the Republican-
controlled Legislature's special January session.
Ryan eyes $74 billion in cuts during the current fiscal year
by Lee Bergquist- Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
The savings are below the $100 billion that House Republicans said they would trim in the current budget year, although
Ryan said the size of the cuts are constrained because nearly half of the government's year has elapsed.
Federal health care law is dead, Van Hollen contends
by Jason Stein- Milwaukee Jdurnal Sentinel
Madison- State Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen has drawn national attention for his statement this week that the
federal health care law is dead in Wisconsin.
Madison
Gov. Walker announces Super Bowl trip -and a massive bet on the big game
by Mary Spicuzza - Wisconsin State Journal
Walker bought four tickets- paying $900 for each- from the Green Bay Packers ticket office, his office said, and no
taxpayer funds will be used for the tdp other than the cost of security required for gubernatodal travel.
Governor hits the road with State of the State message
Wisconsin Radio Network
Speaking at a Wausau factory, the Governor urged reforms to entitlement programs and called again on public employees
to pay more toward their pensions and health care costs. He says the state needs to be reformed minded, much like
businesses, in order to move forward.
Wind turbine regulation bill dead - for now
by Scott Bauer -Associated Press
Wisconsin's Legislature will not take up Gov. Scott Walker's proposal to toughen wind turbine regulations during a special
session the governor called to pass that bill and others, spokesman for legislative leaders told The Associated Press on
Thursday.
94
Green Bay/ Appleton
Gov. Scott Walker will attend Super Bowl
by Scott Bauer -Associated Press
He says he's charging the tickets and travel expenses to his campaign. Aside from covering the security detail that always
travels with the governor, no tax dollars will be used.
Governor Scott Walker pushes for reforms that give municipalities more control
by Steve Contorno -Appleton Post Crescent
DE PERE- Gov. Scott Walker said Thursday his plan to fix the state's finances will include cuts to education and local aid
when his budget is put together at the end of the month.
WLUK-TV Green Bay Video: Walker State Tour
Governor visits De Pere business
WFRV-TV Green Bay
Today's stop at Cleaning Systems Incorporated in De Pere was the governor's first stop as part of his state of the state tour.
Governor Walker Promises Balanced Budget During De Pere Visit
WBAY-TV Green Bay
"I think it's very exciting to have_him be a part of just wanting to see what we're doing in the community," Cleaning
Systems CEO David Krause said.
La CrossejEau Claire
Walker talks Packers. jobs in Onalaska stop
WXOW-TV La Crosse
ONALASKA, Wisconsin (WXOW)- Governor Scott Walker brought his message of "Economic optimism in the face of
challenge" on the road to Onalaska Thursday afternoon.
State of the State Tour
WKBT-TV La Crosse
Just two days after giving his first State of the State address Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker sets out on a five city tour
to share his vision for future.
Walker promotes business agenda at Onalaska plant
by Steve Cahalan - La Crosse Tribune
"We're pleased to see you growing here," Walker told the group. "And we'd like to help you out with that."
Gov. Walker. it's time for details
Editorial - La Crosse Tribune
Gov. Scott Walker has been true to his word about focusing on Wisconsin's deficit and the need to create jobs.
Walker promotes job creation in Eau Claire stop
Eau Claire Leader-Telegram
Gov. Scott Walker said he wants to give local governments more flexibility to negotiate wages and benefits while taking
steps himself to make state workers pay more for their pensions and health care.
Wausau/Rhinelander
'
Governor Walker focuses on public workers' benefits. contract negotiation rules
Wausau Daily Herald
The Republican governor, who was criticized by Democrats for being too vague in his Tuesday State of the State speech,
got a bit more specific about how to chip away at the state's projected $3 billion budget deficit.
Governor Walker in Wausau to Talk Business
WSAW-TVWausau
On the heels of his first state of the state address, Governor Scott Walker is touring the state, touting some of the bills he
has passed during his first 30 days in office.
Video: Walker talks jobs in Wausau
WAOW-TVWausau
95
Governor promotes frugalitv in Wausau
WSAU Radio- Wausau
WAUSAU, Wis. (WSAU)- Governor Scott Walker appealed to factory workers in Wausau Thursday about changes he
would like to see that will help the state create 250,000 jobs over the next four years.
State of the State Tour
WJFW-TV Rhinelander
RHINELANDER- Governor Scott Walker is promoting his job creation plans in the Northwoods.
Superior
Agriculture interest feels snubbed by Walker's State of the State
Superior Telegram
Scott Schultz ofthe Wisconsin Farmers Union recalls the governor's campaign website as saying the agriculture industry is
the largest contributor of jobs to the state's economy, and when if it struggles everyone does. So Schultz was concerned
when agriculture didn't come up in the address.
96
Mohr, Mark - GOV
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
FYI
Ryan Murray
Murray, Ryan M - GOV
Thursday, February 03, 20114:15 PM
Schrimpf, Chris - GOV; Werwie, Cullen J - GOV
FW: Ed Reform Radar: Tennessee lawmakers want to bring the curtain down on teacher
unions
Director of Policy and Legislative Affairs
Main: 608-266-1212
Email: r.murray@wisconsin.gov
From: Sen.Hopper [mailto:Sen.Hopper@legis.wisconsin.gov]
To: Murray, Danielle - LEGIS; Murray, Ryan M - GOV; Liedl, Kimberly - GOV
Subject: RE: Ed Reform Radar: Tennessee lawmakers want to bring the curtain down on teacher unions
From: Education Action Group [mailto:info@edactiongroup.org]
To: Sen.Hopper
Subject: Ed Reform Radar: Tennessee lawmakers want to bring the curtain down on teacher unions
If you're having trouble viewing this email, you may see it online.
1
Tennessee lawmakers
want to bring the curtain
down on teacher unions
New bill would end collective bargaining
privileges, restore taxpayer control over
public schools
By Ben Velderman
EAG Communications
Nashville, Tennessee is best known as the
home of country music, where the sounds of fiddles
The Volunteer State may soon become a
national leader in the education reform cause.
and steel guitars fill the air. But amid all the joyous picking and singing, if you listen closely, you
might hear the sound of crying throughout "Music City U.S.A."
But these wouldn't the gentle sobs that sometimes accompany a "good love gone bad" song. No,
these would be the bitter tears of regret and despair, as leaders of the Tennessee Education
Association, the state's largest teachers union, react to news that state lawmakers want to
effectively end teacher unions in the Volunteer State.
It is the ambitious education reform agenda of Tennessee's 107" General Assembly that is
causing the union's angst. For the first time in state history, Republicans control the state House and
Senate (with comfortable majorities in both), and the governorship. From all appearances, this new
slate of lawmakers is serious about reforming the state's public education system. Specifically, they
seem determined to free the public schools from the grip of teacher unions.
The first indication of this came exactly a week after the swearing- in ceremony. On January 18,
Rep. Debra Maggart and Rep. Glen Casada unveiled House Bill 130, a measure that would
"prohibit any local board of education from negotiating with a professional employees' organization
or teachers' union concerning the terms or conditions of professional service on or after the effective
date of this bill."
In plain English, HB 130 (and its Senate counterpart, SB 113) would strip teacher unions of the
power to collectively bargain with local school boards. If made law, this bill would re-establish
Tennessee's taxpayers and their elected school board representatives as the decision makers for the
public schools.
Collective Bargaining in a 'Right to Work State'?
At first glance, a bill to eliminate teacher unions seems like an odd and unnecessary priority for
lawmakers in a "right to work" state. But in reality, the "right to work" and the right to collectively
bargain are two separate concepts.
"'Right to Work' means no one can force you to be a union member to have a job," said Walter
Jewell, executive director of Professional Educators of Tennessee.
But the riqht to collectively barqain is another matter entirely.
98
Rep. Debra Maggart
told the Radar.
According to the Tennessean, "The proposed bill would remove
all rights and requirements under the current Education
Professional Negotiations Act, which gives any person employed by
a local board of education ... (the right to) join or be assisted by
professional employees' organizations, and to negotiate through
representatives of their own choosing."
Under current law, school boards are legally obligated to
collectively bargain with a union that claims to have the support of
more than 50 percent of the district's teachers. At that point, the
union can pull up a chair to the bargaining table and negotiate
teacher salaries and benefits, working conditions, payroll
deductions, student discipline procedures- virtually anything that
involves teachers.
"The union serves as a middle man whose job is to sit down
and get more and more," Lee Harrell, director of government and
labor relations for the Tennessee School Boards Association,
"What's in the best interests of the children gets lost," Harrell said.
With so much power and money at stake, the TEA has developed a reputation as a first-rate
bully.
"The teachers who don't join the union get harassed to the point where most of them just give
in," Jewell said.
Whatever the union's strategy, it seems to be working.
According to Harrell, 92 of Tennessee's 136 school districts have been unionized.
"The teacher unions are the only public unions in the state," Harrell said. "No other public
employees in the state have this privilege - not police officers, firefighters, road builders or tax
clerks."
But here's where things get interesting: Once a
union claims to represent the majority of teachers,
they have collective bargaining rights. Since
teacher unions are private organizations, school
boards cannot force them into revealing their
membership list, leaving the board with no way to
confirm or deny the union's claim.
"The burden (of proof)is completely on the
school board, but there is no accurate way to
determine membership," Harrell said.
School boards are only permitted to challenge a
union's membership claims once every two years,
Harrell said.
If a school board decides to challenge the
union's membership numbers, the matter usually
ends up in the courts, costing a district thousands
in legal fees.
Challenging a union's membership
claims can be a daunting task.
The practical result is that once a union has collective bargaining rights, there's almost no turning
back.
HB 130 would put a stop to this rigged game, and put taxpayers and their duly-elected school
board representatives back in control of Tennessee's public schools.
Teachers would still have the right to form an association, but it would have as much influence
over a school's operations as the local Rotary club. That seems about right to us.
'This is not an anti-teacher bill'
With its survival in jeopardy, the TEA is gearing up for a huge political fight. Its website warns
m,::.mhPrc: "thr\t thj:)c:p hillc: \tPnt rP:=tl thr,:r.:=.tc: rnllrl in thP nP:=tr f11tl1rP.
11
99
Detractors of HB 130 and SB 113 claim that the legislation is "anti-teacher."
Rep. Maggart, Republican Caucus Chairman and a co-sponsor of HB 130, doesn't agree.
"This is not an anti-teacher bill," Maggart told The Tennessean. "It is an anti-collective
bargaining bill. And I think that this bill serves the best interests of our teachers, our students and
our school systems across the state."
The bill would give individual teachers the ability to negotiate directly with their administrators
and school board.
Teacher unions claim that unionization is necessary in order for educators to be treated as
professionals, but the exact opposite is true. Real professionals want to be recognized and rewarded
for their individual performance, whereas the union's fixation on tenure protection and seniority rules
have the effect of treating teachers as indistinguishable and interchangeable workers, no better and
no worse than any other.
Current Tennessee law allows unions to impose its collectively-bargained, one-size-fits-all
agreement on non-union teachers, whether those teachers want it or not.
"In the long run, we feel this bill would lead to better relationships between school boards and
teachers," Harrell said.
The tip of the iceberg
Deep-sixing teachers' collective bargaining privileges is only one of
the education reform bills in the legislative hopper. other proposed bills
would:
-prohibit "public employees from having a payroll deduction to a
political action committee or for dues for membership organizations that
use funds for political activities" (HB 159, SB 136);
-make it a "Class C misdemeanor for labor organization(s) to
contribute to candidates" (HB 160, SB 139);
-transfer "the authority to appoint the three teacher members who
serve on the board of trustees for the Tennessee Consolidated
Retirement System (TCRS) from the Tennessee Education Association to
the speaker of the Senate and the speaker of the House of
Representatives" (SB 102);
Tennessee Governor
Bill Haslam
-remove the "specific authority" of the Department of Education "to
request assistance for the Tennessee Education Association with matters
related to the Volunteer Public Education Trust Fund Act" (HB 144);
-remove the TEA's "recommendations from consideration by speaker
of the House for appointment on the Tennessee financial literacy commission's board of directors"
(HB 145).
Whether or not any of these bills become law depends greatly upon Gov. Bill Haslam's education
agenda, which is expected to be announced soon. Haslam has previously identified teacher tenure
reform as a priority, but it's unclear how many of these hard-hitting proposals the governor will
support.
"Everyone is very curious to see what he has in mind," Harrell said.
If even a few of these bills become law,. Tennessee would join Indiana and New Jersey as
trailblazers in the cause for education reform.
It looks like the TEA is in for a long, bumpy ride. But for education reformers, it looks like the
beginning of an promising new era for Tennessee's public education system.
"There's a lot going on in education," Jewell said. "It's about time."
100
NATIONAL SCHOOL CHOICE WEEK
ENERGIZES REFORM ADVOCATES
'
t
The dust has finally settled on the first ;,
, annual National School Choice Week,
which ran from January 23- 29, and the
public response exceeded expectations. A
video "mashup" documenting news
coverage of School Choice Week can be
viewed by clicking here.
School Choice Week events popped up
all across the country, from Los Angeles
to New York City and from Anchorage,
Alaska to Honolulu, Hawaii. All told,
more than 200 school choice organizations
hosted 150 events which were attended
by tens of thousands of advocates,
parents, children and concerned citizens. This picture from the Chicago rally pretty much says it all.
People of all colors, backgrounds, ages
and political persuasions came together to raise awareness about the need for school choice
throughout the U.S.
"There is no greater issue fating this country right now than the education of our young people,"
said Peter Groff of the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools at a town hall meeting in
Raleigh, North Carolina.
In Chicago, over a thousand school choice advocates filled four city blocks as they rallied outside
a Chicago school board meeting. Many participants wore the trademark yellow School Choice
Week scarf and carried handmade signs calling for more charter school options.
"We're not saying charter schools are the only schools, but we're saying, 'Give us an opportunity
to make that choice,"' parent Chondra Corner-Wright told a School Choice Week film crew.
Parent Justin Johnson, who attended a town hall meeting in North Carolina, agreed.
"I think offering school choice doesn't mean one versus the other. It's more or less giving
multiple avenues. I think it's presented as if you're saying 'no' to one and 'yes' to the other when
actually you're saying 'yes' to all and allowing parents ... to be able to choose those things," Johnson
told the film crew.
An increasing number of Americans all across the cquntry are unwilling to accept lousy schools or
the worn-out excuses from defenders of the status quo. In fact, they are demanding that every child
has access to an effective education, and they believe that school choice is the way to make that
happen.
According to School Choice Week Executive Director Kyle Olson, advocates aren't about to pack
away their signs and scarves, and simply wait for the week to come around again next year.
"This issue isn't going away," Olson said. "We're going to keep beating this drum until our
political leaders hear us, and finally give parents everywhere the right to choose the best school for
their child."
This all brings to mind a quote from French novelist Victor Hugo: "An invasion of armies can be
resisted, but not an idea whose time has come."
Education Action Group Foundation, Inc.
801 W. Norton, Ste. 1 Muskegon, MI 49441
~ ~ . (231) 733-4202
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101
pow<." .. ed b y . . ~ . ...
emma- .
q
102
Sent: 03, 201111:15 AM
To:
Governor Walker's State of the State- As Prepared, Embargoed Until 7 p.m.
Speaker Fitzgerald, Speaker Pro Tern Kramer, President Ellis, Majority Leader Fitzgerald, Minority Leader
Miller, Minority Leader Barca, Supreme Court Justices, Constitutional Officers, tribal leaders, members of the
Cabinet, distinguished guests, members of the Legislature, and most importantly, fellow citizens of Wisconsin,
it is an honor to be with you tonight to report on the state of our state.
Yesterday, Trooper Gary Markowski was struck by a vehicle in the line of duty and seriously injured. I spoke
to his wife this afternoon, and am grateful to report that tonight he is resting in the hospital on his way to
recovery. Let us pause for a moment to offer our thoughts and prayers to the Markowski family, and all those
who serve to keep us safe ...
In the gallery, we have the First Lady of the Great State of Wisconsin, my wife, Tonette Walker and our sons
Matt and Alex, my parents Llew and Pat Walker and my brother and sister-in-law David and Maria
Walker. Next to them is General Donald Dunbar and several members of the Wisconsin National Guard.
General Dunbar, we caQJ1ot thank you and the brave men and women from Wisconsin who wear our nations
uniform enough. Not only <fo you defend our nation abroad, but you work on the frontlines during our state's
natural challenges, like tonight's storm. Even before I declared a state of emergency you were ready to assist
Wisconsin citizens and now you are mobilized to help our state respond.
To you, your families and to all of our other veterans, we say a hearty thank you.
Every year the Governor of Wisconsin comes before this body to report on the state of the state. This year the
state of the state is - well - pumped up about our Packers.
I've asked a representative of the Packers to be with us live from Arlington tonight, so that we can wish them
well.
We're honored that Packers President Mark Murphy could be with us tonight from Texas.
Mark, thank you for taking the time to join us, I know you're busy preparing for the big game against the
Steelers, so we won't keep you long. Congratulations on making it to the Super Bowl, what a tremendous
victory you had on the road two weeks ago.
Mark, on behalf of the state of Wisconsin, I want you to know that the entire state is rooting for you and we
wish you the best ofluck. Win or lose we're proud of you.
Here in Wisconsin, we don't need a seating chart to bring Republicans and Democrats together- all we need
are the Green Bay Packers.
In fact, we are sitting under evidence of that right now. Thanks to the help of Senators Risser and Hansen, we
worked together to illuminate-the dome of this Capitol tonight with green and gold lights.
103
Over the course of this season, our pride for the Green Bay Packers has brought this state together. I believe we
need that same. unity to get Wisconsin working again.
Tonight, I will layout a clear picture of the state of our state. We will be realistic about the challenges we face
while optimistic about our solutions.
First, let me be clear: we have an economic and fiscal crisis in this state that demands our immediate
attention. The solutions we offer must be designed to address both job creation and our budget problems.
Wisconsin's once strong economy is in need of repair. Too many of our people are hurting and too many of our
employers are struggling.
The unemployment rate in December dropped to 7.5% but that is still 3 points worse than it was just three years
ago at this time. We must do better.
As I travel the state, I hear too many stories of families struggling to put food on the table; I see too many young
people who can't find a job having to move in with their parents; and I learn of too many small businesses who
are forced to layoff workers because of the economy.
Coach Vince Lombardi once said, "Success demands singleness of purpose." We are defining success for this
administration by our ability to shape an environment where 250,000 jobs are created. Every action of our
administration should be looked at through the lens of job creation.
That is why- moments after taking the oath of office as your Governor- I called a special session of the
Legislature to focus on jobs. Already, we are sending a clear message that Wisconsin is open for business!
That singleness of purpose is why we hit the ground running on our very first day and why by our second day
we had already introduced legislation to improve Wisconsin's economic environment.
All told, we introduced 8 pieces of legislation to instill in our state an environment that encourages job creation,
and to send the message to employers that now is the time to start hiring.
We challenged the Legislature to move swiftly and decisively on our Jobs Plan. Speaker Fitzgerald, Senate
Majority Leader Fitzgerald, Senator Darling, and Representative Vos, you and your fellow legislators, like
Senator Cullen, accepted that challenge- in many cases with bi-partisan support. On behalf of the people of
Wisconsin, I say thank you.
Creating jobs shouldn't be a partisan issue. These are not Republican or Democrat jobs, these are Wisconsin
jobs.
In less than 30 days, I have already signed four pieces of legislation into law that will help the private sector
create jobs.
And on my desk is another bill giving tax relief to small businesses that I intend to sign on Friday.
The first act I signed as governor eliminated the taxes on health savings accounts, making health care more
affordable for small business owners, blue-collar workers and family farmers. I want to thank Representatives
Kaufert, Ziegelbauer and Stone and Senators Darling, Olsen and Vukmir for their leadership on HSAs. This
change was a long time coming for Wisconsin and brings us into line with the rest of the nation.
104
Our second act reduced frivolous lawsuits in Wisconsin. The litigation environment in a state is one of the key
drivers for business and unfortunately we were once known as "Alabama North" because of our poor lawsuit
climate.
Now, we've turned the page on lawsuit reform and offer one more sign that Wisconsin is open for business.
Thanks to Senator Zipperer and Representative Jim Ott for their leadership on this important issue.
Yesterday, I signed an expansion of our relocation and economic development tax credits. These measures will
help our state attract and retain businesses and jobs.
More thanks to the Legislature for your swift action - and particular appreciation to Representatives Klenke,
Williams, Knilans, and AI Ott and Senators Lazich, Moulton and Wanggaard for your leadership on these bi-
partisan measures.
Although we have accomplished a lot in a short time, we should not celebrate too much the bills that have
already passed. We are under no illusion that simply calling a Special Session and passing legislation means
that all is better in Wisconsin. The fact that we needed to call a special session at all is a sobering reminder of
all the work we have left to do.
We still must change the regulatory environment in Wisconsin. From talking with families and businesses
across this great state, I sense a spirit that we can grow again when our people are freed from government
mandates, rules, regulations and taxes; freed to create jobs, to grow their businesses, to live their lives.
That is why I introduced, and you are working on, regulatory reform legislation. The smallest change in a rule
can have unintended consequences that drive up costs for businesses and stand in the way of job growth. Our
regulatory reform bill will help get government's hands off our job creators and make it easier for employers to
put people to work in Wisconsin.
Two weeks ago, the Assembly Speaker and Senate Majority Leader joined me in writing a column for the
Chicago Tribune. We made the case that employers in Illinois should escape to Wisconsin, not only because of
Illinois' massive tax hike, but because of the two opposite directions our states are heading.
You see, businesses make decisions based on trends. Before locating a facility or adding jobs somewhere, they
look to see what the future there looks like.
That's why the budget and budget repair bills we will introduce in the coming weeks will be even more
important than our Special Session legislation.
It is in those budgets where rhetoric meets reality, where we will show that we will make the tough decisions
now to lay the foundation for future economic growth.
During the present downtnm, Wisconsin's proud tradition of responsible budgeting gave way to repeated raids
on segregated funds, excessive borrowing for operations and an addiction to one-time federal dollars. These are
no longer options, and their use has only delayed and worsened the difficult decisions we must now make.
These factors, along with the decline in the global economy that started several years ago, have combined to
create a 3 billion dollar deficit for the state budget that starts on July 1. And they are contributing factors to
why the state government faces more than a 200 million dollar shortfall for the rest of this fiscal year.
105
Like Wisconsin, states across the nation are facing major fiscal challenges. States face immediate budget
shortfalls totaling 26 billion dollars this fiscal year, with an even larger shortfall over 120 billion looming next
year.
Nationwide, states face an over trillion dollar funding shortfall in public-sector retirement benefits. 814 billion
dollars of one-time federal stimulus funding is going away. States face a total mandated growth in Medicaid of
51 billion dollars. And state and local governments have a collective 2.4 trillion dollars in debts.
As the Governor of New York said, "there's no Democratic or Republican philosophical dispute here. The
numbers have to balance, and the numbers now don't balance .. .it's painful but it is also undeniable." He is
right.
Wisconsin is facing those same undeniable challenges that states across the nation are facing; both in this year's
budget and in the next two-year budget
Throughout Wisconsin's history we have faced many great challenges. Each time it looked like we might falter
and lose our way, we turned back to our Constitution's call for frugality and moderation and marched forward.
It is time to return to our founding principles yet again. We can no longer afford to turn a blind eye to the tough
decisions ahead.
Without swift corrective action, entitlement programs and legacy costs will eat up more and more of the
operating budget. Failure to act only makes the problems worse in the future.
Last week, our Secretary at the Department of Health Services, Dennis Smith, testified before Congress on
some of the challenges we are facing in Medicaid. In that program alone, we face a more than 150 million
dollar shortfall over the next 6 months and, over the next biennium, the shortfall exceeds 1. 8 billion
dollars. These are challenges that cannot be ignored.
In addition to the deficits facing these critically important areas of state government, bill collectors are waiting
on the doorsteps of our capitol. Due to a past reliance on short term fixes, one-time money, delayed payments,
and fund raids, we owe the State of Minnesota nearly 60 million dollars and we owe the Patient's Compensation
fund for a past raid of $200 million.
The decisions we face are not easy and the solutions we must approve will require trne sacrifice. But, the
benefit of finally making these tough decisions and being honest with the citizens of this state will help us to
balance the budget in a way that creates a petmanent, structurally sound state budget.
If we are going to move our state forward, we have to be honest and agree that we no longer can afford to rely
on short-term fixes that only delay the pain, compound the problems, and lead to ongoing financial uncertainty.
States, like Wisconsin, are left with two choices: one is to raise taxes, continue to hinder our people with
burdensome regulations, and kick the difficult choices down the road for our children and grandchildren; the
other is to do the heavy lifting now and transform the way government works in Wisconsin.
Some states will choose the easy way out.
As I mentioned, our neighbors to the south chose to deal with their budget crisis with major income and
business tax increases. At the same time, they pushed the most challenging decisions off for another day- and,
probably, another tax increase.
106
We quickly saw the result of their actions. States, including our own, which are committed to holding the line
on spending, began circling Illinois as soon as the tax increase passed.
Their lack of action will ultimately lead to fewer jobs and higher taxes.
But there is another way.
We can use our budget challenge as an opportunity; an opportunity to reduce government and to increase
flexibility. To ensure that all sectors of our economy contribute equally, so that the entire state benefits. We
are Wisconsin, we will lead the way.
In the coming weeks, I wi!J introduce a budget repair bill focusing on the most immediate fiscal challenges our
state must address to avoid massive layoffs or reductions in critical services. Our budget repair bill will lay the
foundation for a structurally sound budget that doesn't rely on short-term fixes and other stop-gap measures that
only delay the pain and create perilous uncertainty.
This is the right moment in time, our moment in time, to refocus govermnent to better serve the taxpayers of
this state. To do this, we must provide flexibility to our leaders at all levels.
One area we will have to look at is public employee benefits. Now let me be clear: we have good and decent
people who work for government at the state and local level. As Coach Lombardi said, "the measure of who we
are is what we do with what we have." For years, our employees have been asked to do more with less.
However, the difficult reality is that healthcare costs and pension costs have risen dramatically and that has
created a benefit system that is simply unsustainable. Government benefits have grown while so many others in
the private sector have seen their benefits adjusted in order to protect jobs.
Currently, most state employees pay next to nothing from their salaries toward their pension, while the state's
taxpayers pay more than $190million each year on state employees' behalf.
Similarly, most state workers only pay about 6% of their premium costs for their health care plan.
Asking public employees to make a pension payment of just over 5% (which is about the national average) and
a premium payment of 12% (which is about half of the national average) would save the state more than $30
million over three months. Most workers outside of government would love a deal like that- patticularly if it
means saving jobs.
Private sector workers have already responded to the tough economic times. When Mercury Marine was on the
verge of moving nearly 2,000 jobs to Oklahoma, the company said that "comprehensive changes to wages,
benefits and operational flexibility [were] necessary for Mercury to effectively compete in a smaller and
fundatnentally changed marketplace."
After a difficult struggle, the workers agreed to major concessions.
It wasn't easy for the workers, but the jobs stayed in Wisconsin. In fact the company said it would move some
new jobs from Oklahoma to Wisconsin.
I took special note of the words of one of the workers who had lost his job during the economic downturn and
who had the opportunity to gain it back. He said, "They have treated me and my fatnily more than fairly over
the years, and now they are in difficult times. I understand it's time to give back so that we can keep all of the
jobs here in town."
107
That worker was one of 350 returning workers and new hires by Mercury over the last two years; a company
which is now positioned to emerge from the downturn stronger and remains based here in Wisconsin.
While state government can't pick up and move, I hope that our state employees feel as if they've been treated
fairly over the years, but -like all of us- they should recognize that we are in difficult economic and fiscal
times.
Our upcoming budget is built on the premise that we must right size our government. That means reforming
public employee benefits - as well as reforming entitlement programs and reforming the state's relationship
with local governments.
Most importantly, our budget will focus on items that will help create an environment where the employers of
this state can put 250,000 people to work.
The state's facing a fundamentally changed marketplace to which we have to respond. Like Wisconsin
companies, our competition isn't just next door in Michigan, Illinois, or Minnesota but also across the world in
China, Germany, and India. As a result, we must transform our government and business environment to
compete globally.
With global competition also comes global opportunity. For instance, 96 percent of the world's population live,
purchase and consume products outside of the United States. Wisconsin businesses who want to grow, expand
and create new, good-paying jobs need to be able to get their products out to the world in a cost-effective
manner.
That means a strong transportation network in Wisconsin; re-prioritizing our transportation investments. I
challenged the Wisconsin Department of Transportation to look at new ways to reconstruct our state's busiest
interchange- the Zoo Interchange- which is used by 350,000 people a day.
Our transportation leaders met the challenge and developed a plan that will start the project ahead of schedule
and save the taxpayer's 600 million dollars.
And while we've done big things and we'll continue to do big things to help business grow jobs in Wisconsin,
the quiet things matter too. In today's global economy small changes, even on the margins, matter. We'll
continue to pursue the big and small changes necessary to get Wisconsin working again.
In my inaugural address, I quoted Article I, Section 22 of the state constitution which reads, "The blessings of a
free government can only be maintained by a firm adherence to justice, moderation, temperance, frugality and
virtue, and by frequent recurrence to fundamental principles."
Our new budget and government will affirm these values and fundamental principles. As I said when I was
sworn in, "it is through frugality and moderation in government that we will see freedom and prosperity for our
people."
That's really what this administration is all about: frugality and jobs. It is only through a more frugal
government, that our economy can grow faster than others across the nation and around the globe. I want
Wisconsin to lead the economic recovery.
That's why our special session Jobs Plan is imp01iant. We want to lower the cost of doing business in this state
- through lower taxation, regulation and litigation costs and more relief from health care costs - so that more
employers are able to create jobs for our people.
108
And it's why our budget repair bill, and then our budget are even more important. Each will demonstrate to the
nation that Wisconsin is ready to meet the challenges of today and capitalize on the opportunities of tomorrow.
By making the tough choices we will send a message loud and clear thoughout our state, in Illinois, across the
rest of the nation and around the world: Wisconsin is open for business. We are ready to grow. We will tackle
the big issues. We will lead the way.
Recently, a national news organization did a story about how fast we are getting to work in Wisconsin. They
asked why.
The reason is simple: I spent the past two years in a job interview with the people of Wisconsin telling you what
I would do as your next CEO to get this state working again.
As you all know, I was pretty specific on our plans and even on the day I'd start implementing those plans, so I
saw no reason to wait a year, or six months or even a month to get to work. Now is the time to take action.
You hired me to put Wisconsin back to work. I love this state and I know that you do too. I know that we can
transfmm our state and- in tum -become a national leader in fiscal and economic reform.
It won't be easy, but the past 30 days have shown that we are ready to tum this state around.
Throughout the football season, the Packers were able to unite the people of our great state. Now, we need to
use that same unity to show that we are ready to get Wisconsin working again. Acting together, I know we
can ... because I believe in Wisconsin.
Thank you. God bless you, God bless our Armed Forces and may God bless Wisconsin.
Chris Schrimpf
109
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Thursday, February 03, 201111:15 AM
Anderson, Eloise - DCF
Governor Walker's State of the State
Governor Walker's State of the State- As Prepared, Embargoed Unti17 p.m.
Speaker Fitzgerald, Speaker Pro Tern Kramer, President Ellis, Majority Leader Fitzgerald, Minority Leader
to his wife this aftemoon, and am grateful to report that tonight he is resting in the hospital on his way to
Matt and Alex, my parents Llew and Pat Walker and my brother and sister-in-law David and Maria
Walker. Next to them is General Donald Dunbar and several members of the Wisconsin National Guard.
General Dunbar, we cannot thank you and the brave men and women from Wisconsin who wear our nations
uniform enough. Not only do you defend our nation abroad, but you work on the frontlines during our state's
Every year the Govemor of Wisconsin comes before this body to report on the state of the state. This year the
state ofthe state is - well - pumped up about our Packers.
well.
110
worked together to illuminate the dome ofthis Capitol tonight with green and gold lights.
need that same unity to get Wisconsin working again.
First, let me be clear: we have an economic and fiscal crisis in this state that demands our immediate
attention. The solutions we offer must be designed to address both job creation and our budget problems.
The unemployment rate in December dropped to 7.5% but that is still3 points worse than it was just three years
That is why - moments after taking the oath of office as your Governor - I called a special session of the
Creating jobs shouldn't l:)e a partisan issue. These are not Republican or Democrat jobs, these are Wisconsin
jobs.
In less than 30 days, I have already signed four pieces oflegislation into law that will help the private sector
create jobs.
affordable for small business owners, blue-collar workers and family fatmers. I want to thank Representatives
111
Kaufert, Ziegelbauer and Stone and Senators Darling, Olsen and Vukmir for their leadership on HSAs. This
climate.
Now, we've turned the page on lawsuit ref01m and offer one more sign that Wisconsin is open for business.
More thanks to the Legislature for your swift action- and particular appreciation to Representatives Klenke,
partisan measures.
That is why I introduced, and you are working on, regulatory ref01m legislation. The smallest change in a rule
Two weeks ago, the Assembly Speaker and Senate Majority Leader joined me in writing a colunrn for the
During the present downturn, Wisconsin's proud tradition of responsible budgeting gave way to repeated raids
112
why the state govermnent faces more than a 200 million dollar shortfall for the rest of this fiscal year.
year.
51 billion dollars. And state and local govermnents have a collective 2.4 trillion dollars in debts.
As the Governor ofNew York said, "there's no Democratic or Republican philosophical dispute here. The
right.
Wisconsin is facing those saine undeniable challenges that states across the nation are facing; both in this year's
budget and in the next two-year budget.
It is time to return to our founding principles yet again. We can no longer afford to tum a blind eye to the tough
decisions ahead.
some of the challenges we are facing in Medicaid. Inthat program alone, we face a more than 150 million
dollar shortfall over the next 6 months and, over the next biennium, the shortfall exceeds 1.8 billion
dollars. These are challenges that carmot be ignored.
In addition to the deficits facing these critically important areas of state govermnent, bill collectors are waiting
The decisions we face are not easy and the solutions we must approve will require true sacrifice. But, the
benefit of finally making these tough decisions and being honest with the citizens of this state will help us to
balance the budget in a way that creates a permanent, structurally sound state budget.
States, like Wisconsin, are left with two choices: one is to raise taxes, continue to hinder our people with
other is to do the heavy lifting now and transform the way govermnent works in Wisconsin.
113
business tax increases. At the same time, they pushed the most challenging decisions off for another day- and,
In the coming weeks, I will introduce a budget repair bill focusing on the most immediate fiscal challenges our
This is the right moment in time, our moment in time, to refocus government to better serve the taxpayers of
taxpayers pay more than $190 million each year on state employees' behalf.
million over three months. Most workers outside of government would love a deal like that- particularly if it
means saving jobs.
fundamentally changed marketplace."
114
I took special note of the words of one of the workers who had lost his job during the economic downturn and
who had the opportunity to gain it back. He said, "They have treated me and my family more than fairly over
jobs here in town."
That worker was one of 3 50 returning workers and new hires by Mercmy over the last two years; a company
which is now positioned to emerge from the downturn stronger and remains based here in Wisconsin.
While state government can't pick up and move, I hope that our state employees feel as if they've been treated
fairly over the years, but- like all of us- they should recognize that we are in difficult economic and fiscal
times.
Our upcoming budget is built on the premise that we must right size our government. That means reforming
public employee benefits- as well as reforming entitlement programs and reforming the state's relationship
with local governments.
Most importantly, our budget will focus on items that will help create an environment where the employers of
China, Germany, and India. As a result, we must transform our government and business environment to
compete globally.
pmchase and consume products outside of the United States. Wisconsin businesses who want to grow, expand
manner.
free government can only be maintained by a firm adherence to justice, moderation, temperance, frugality and
Our new budget and government will affirm these values and fundamental principles. As I said when I was
sworn in, "it is through frugality and moderation in government that we will see freedom and prosperity for om
people."
government, that our economy can grow faster than others across the nation and around the globe. I want
115
That's why our special session Jobs Plan is important. We want to lower the cost of doing business in this state
-through lower taxation, regulation and litigation costs and more relief from health care costs - so that more
nation that Wisconsin is ready to meet the challenges oftoday and capitalize on the opportunities of tomorrow.
asked why.
transform our state and - in tum- become a national leader in fiscal and economic reform.
It won't be easy, but the past 30 days have shown that we are ready to tum this state around.
Chris Schrimpf
Press Qffice: 608-267-7303
116
From:
Sent:
To:
Cc:
Subject:
Thursday, February 03, 201111:13 AM
Kitzman, Nick- GOV; Jones, Elizabeth - LEGIS
RE: Text of Gov. Walker's Speech
Governor Walker's State of the State- As Prepared, Embargoed Until7 p.m.
Speaker Fitzgerald, Speaker Pro Tern Kramer, PresidentEllis, Majority Leader Fitzgerald, Minority Leader
to his wife this afternoon, and am grateful to report that tonight he is resting in the hospital on his way to
Matt and Alex, my parents Llew and Pat Walker and my brother and sister-in-law David and Maria Walker.
Next to them is General Donald Dunbar and several members of the Wisconsin National Guard.
General Dunbar, we cannot thank you and the brave men and women from Wisconsin who wear our nations
uniform enough. Not only do you defend our nation abroad, but you work on the frontlines during our state's
Every year the Governor of Wisconsin comes before this body to report on the state of the state. This year the
state of the state is -well -pumped up about our Packers.
well.
117
worked together to illuminate the dome of this Capitol tonight with green and gold lights.
need that same unity to get Wisconsin working again.
First, let me be clear: we have an economic and fiscal crisis in this state that demands our immediate attention.
The solutions we offer must be designed to address both job creation and our budget problems.
The unemployment rate in December dropped to 7.5% but that is still 3 points worse than it was just three years
That is why - moments after taking the oath of office as your Governor- I called a special session of the
Creating jobs shouldn't be a partisan issue. These are not Republican or Democrat jobs, these are Wisconsin
jobs.
In less than 30 days, I have already signed four pieces of legislation into law that will help the private sector
create jobs.
affordable for small business owners, blue-collar workers and family farmers. I want to thank Representatives
118
Kaufer!, Ziegelbauer and Stone and Senators Darling, Olsen and Vukmir for their leadership on HSAs. This
climate.
Now, we've turned the page on lawsuit reform and offer one more sign that Wisconsin is open for business.
More thanks to the Legislature for your swift action- and particular appreciation to Representatives Klenke,
partisan measures.
That is why I introduced, and you are working on, regulatory reform legislation. The smallest change in a rule
Two weeks ago, the Assembly Speaker and Senate Majority Leader joined me in writing a colunm for the
During the present downturn, Wisconsin's proud tradition of responsible budgeting gave way to repeated raids
119
why the state government faces more than a 200 million dollar shortfall for the rest of this fiscal year.
year.
51 billion dollars. And state and local governments have a collective 2.4 trillion dollars in debts.
As the Governor of New York said, "there's no Democratic or Republican philosophical dispute here. The
right.
Wisconsin is facing those same undeniable challenges that states across the nation are facing; both in this year's
budget and in the next two-year budget.
It is time to retrrm to our founding principles yet again. We can no longer afford to turn a blind eye to the tough
decisions ahead.
some of the challenges we are facing in Medicaid. In that program alone, we face a more than 150 million
dollar shortfall over the next 6 months and, over the next biennium, the shortfall exceeds 1.8 billion dollars.
These are challenges that cannot be ignored.
In addition to the deficits facing these critically important areas of state government, bill collectors are waiting
The decisions we face are not easy and the solutions we must approve will require true sacrifice. But, the
benefit offmally making these tough decisions and being honest with the citizens of this state will help us to
balance the budget in a way that creates a permanent, structurally sound state budget.
States, like Wiscol).sin, are left with two choices: one is to raise taxes, continue to hinder our people with
other is to do the heavy lifting now and transform the way government works in Wisconsin.
120
business tax increases. At the same time, they pushed the most challenging decisions off for another day - and,
In the coming weeks, I will introduce a budget repair bill focusing on the most immediate fiscal challenges our
This is the right moment in time, our moment in time, to refocus government to better serve the taxpayers of
taxpayers pay more than $190 million each year on state employees' behalf.
million over three months. Most workers outside of government would love a deal like that- particularly if it
means saving jobs.
fundamentally changed marketplace."
121
I took special note of the words of one of the workers who had lost his job during the economic downtum and
who had the opportunity to gain it back. He said, "They have treated me and my family more than fairly over
jobs here in town."
That worker was one of 350 retuming workers and new hires by Mercury over the last two years; a company
which is now positioned to emerge from the downtum stronger and remains based here in Wisconsin.
While state govemment can't pick up and move, I hope that our state employees feel as if they've been treated
fairly over the years, but - like all of us - they should recognize that we are in difficult economic and fiscal
times.
Our upcoming budget is built on the premise that we must right size our govemment. That means reforming
public employee benefits - as well as reforming entitlement programs and reforming the state's relationship
with local govemments.
Most importantly, our budget will focus on items that will help create an enviromnent where the employers of
China, Germany, and India. As a result, we must transform our govermnent and business environment to
compete globally.
purchase and consume products outside ofthe United States. Wisconsin businesses who want to grow, expand
manner.
free govermnent can only be maintained by a firm adherence to justice, moderation, temperance, frugality and
Our new budget and govemment will affirm these values and fundamental principles. As I said when I was
swom in, "it is through frugality and moderation in govemment that we will see freedom and prosperity for our
people."
govermnent, that our economy can grow faster than others across the nation and around the globe. I want
122
That's why our special session Jobs Plan is important. We want to lower the cost of doing business in this state
-through lower taxation, regulation and litigation costs and more relief from health care costs - so that more
nation that Wisconsin is ready to meet the challenges of today and capitalize on the opportunities of tomorrow.
asked why.
transform our state and- in turn- become a national leader in fiscal and economic reform.
It won't be easy, but the past 30 days have shown that we are ready to turn this state around.
Chris Schrimpf
From: Kitzman, Nick- GOV
Sent: Thursday, February 0.3, 201110:59 AM
To: Jones, Elizabeth - LEGIS
Cc: Schrimpf, Chris- GOV; Werwie, Cullen J - GOV
Subject: RE: Text of Gov. Walker's Speech
I would get into contact with our Communications Department to request that text. I have copied Chris Schrimpf,
Communications Director, and Cullen Werwie, Press Secretary, on this email. One of them should be able to get back to
you regarding this request.
Let me know if you need any further information.
Nick Kitzman
123
608-264-8203
From: Jones-Queensland, Elizabeth [mailto:Eiizabeth.Jones@legis.wisconsin.gov]
Sent: Thursday, February 03, 2011 10:55 AM
To: Kitzman, Nick- GOV
Subject: Text of Gov. Walker's Speech
Hi Nick-
l'm trying to track down the text of Walker's State of the State Speech to publish in the Senate Journal. Do you have it or
know of someone who does? Thanks for your help!
Liz
124
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Thursday, February 03, 2011 8:14AM
ICYMI: Walker hit right details in speech
FYI. A good column on the most important details in the Governor's State of the State speech.
Walker hit right details in speech
By Patrick Mcllheran of the Journal Sentinel
Feb. 2, 2011 1 (8) Comments
Democrats, asked about Gov. Scott Walker's "state of the state" speech, called it vague. "There were not enough details,"
complained Sen. Lena Taylor of Milwaukee.
She's right that details were few. Walker did not tick off a list of shiny new things. It was not a proceed-to-checkout kind of
speech.
But the governor was crystalline about the biggest detail. He said some form of the word "frugal" at least five times, and
he was clear about where frugality will happen: in checks the state passes out.
Walker doesn't have much choice. The state's government is broke. The budget that ends in five months is as much as
$337 million in the red, and the next two-year budget is roughly $3 billion - $3,000 million -in the hole because of existing
promises and ongoing programs. The government has two choices: "One is to raise taxes," Walker said, while the other is
"heavy lifting" to "transform the way government works."
. . . Well, if you say it that way
And as he mentioned the heavy lifting and the transforming, what was the first specific Walker mentioned? Entitlement
programs and employment costs. Of course - that's where the money is.
Walker proceeded to touch lightly on one very large entitlement, Medicaid, which buys health care for the poor and, via its
BadgerCare wing, the not-quite-poor. Medicaid costs have grown briskly for Wisconsin, about 8% a year lately, all the
more as the state changed its rules to cover more people- children in families earning $63,000 a year, childless adults
earning double the poverty line.
The governor offered no further details about Medicaid, so we can fill some. in pre-emptively. We can guess the state will
stop expanding eligibility, a good start. Perhaps we could marginally trim it. If the economy improves- Walker's other
strategy, rationalizing regulations, should help with that- fewer people will need the help.
But what if the state pushed to change the form of its help? Indiana expanded its health care aid a few years ago via a
consumer-driven program that included a kind of health savings accounts. It isn't perfect, but perhaps Wisconsin can
similarly try using consumerism to restrain costs.
As for labor, Walker offered a very specific detail: He wants state employees to start contributing more to their retirement-
5% of their wages -and paying more of their health premiums, 12% of those, about half what people in the private sector
typically pay.
Good start. State public-sector unions already are complaining mightily, and Democrats in the Legislature have said they
expect Walker to force the issue by trying to revoke collective bargaining rights granted in the 1960s.
127
Walker should oblige. If he means it about transforming government, he must change the factor that is central in raising
public-sector labor costs well above the private sector- unions. Handily enough, unions are also central to lobbying for the
unceasing expansion of government. It was established Democratic Party orthodoxy until the 1960s, voiced by stalwarts
such as President Franklin Roosevelt and Milwaukee Mayor Frank Zeidler, that government employees ought not to
unionize. We now see why: It makes government unaffordably costly.
We will hear that all this frugality is intolerably mean. No, it's not. Wisconsin is already unusually generous on health care.
Becoming ordinarily generous saves us money. And can anyone seriously imagine that, without public-sector unions,
elected officials will be transformed into sweatshop bosses?
Private-sector taxpayers, kicking in 5% for a 401(k) and covering a fifth of their premium for a health plan while fretting
they'll be laid off, likely cannot imagine that. Especially since state unions define "sweatshop" as that which is normal in
the private sector.
Walker has little time. His legislative majority is rare, and the public's attention to costs will wane. Besides, the state can't
stand much more profligacy. Madison has spent all its spare change. Our government's value proposition must
fundamentally improve ..
That truth is what Walker zeroed in on. That was the key detail this week. All yet to come is just elaboration.
Patrick Mcl/heran is a Journal Sentinel editorial columnist who blogs at jsonline. comlblogslmcilheran. E-mail
pmci/heran@journalsentinel.com
Chris Schrimpf
Email. chris.schrimpf@wisconsin.gov
128
From:
Sent:
To:
Cc:
Subject:
Wednesday, February 02, 2011 9:43 PM
- GOV; Matejov, Scott- GOV; Murray, Ryan M - GOV; Gilkes, Keith -
GOV; Schutt, Eric - GOV
Media Update
I think this is going to be the Journal Sentinels editorial tomorrow. Other stories will be on legislation passing, state
workers complaining about having to take a vacation day to not come to work, and AP is writing on the health care issue
tomorrow.
First principles
6:21 p.m. I U (6) Comments
In his first state of the state address, Gov. Scott Walker harkened back to first principles- his own and the state's.
Quoting from the state Constitution, he said: "The blessings of a free government can only be maintained by a firm
adherence to justice, moderation, temperance, frugality and virtue, and by frequent recurrence to fundamental
principles."
He added: "Our new budget and government will affirm these values and fundamental principles .... that's really
what this administration is all about, frugality and jobs."
Walker is right to focus on slimming down state government. He's right to look for policy ideas that encourage job
creation. We'd urge him to pay equal attention to other virtues cited in Article I, Section 22 of the state Constitution,
especially justice and moderation.
Justice for the state's most vulnerable, who, for better or worse, rely on state programs, such as BadgerCare and
Medicaid.
Moderation so that the focus in Walker's administration does not stray from the economy to well-worn, cultural battles
that lead to division and political gain in lieu of social gain.
Walker, quite correctly, sent a pointed message to the state's unionized employees: They should pay more for health
and pension benefits. "Most workers outside of government would love a deal like that- particularly if it means saving
jobs," he said.
Local governments received another message: "We must right size our government," Walker said. "That means
reforming public employee benefits- as well as reforming entitlement programs and reforming the state's relationship
with local governments."
We agree, but again, moderation is required. Shoveling the state's budget deficit onto cities and towns will put them in
the same position Walker finds himself in, and risks higher property taxes.
Walker's announcement that his administration plans to move up reconstruction of the Zoo Interchange, Wisconsin's
busiest, by two years is good news. By modifying the footprint, the new design saves about $600 million, he said.
Delaying some work on 1-94, while regrettable, is a reasonable trade-off.
1
Walker promised that his upcoming two-year budget and a budget repair bill would be responsible, based on reality and
free of trickery. As he noted, this is where "rhetoric meets reality."
And, we hope, where justice and moderation meet frugality, temperance and virtue.
2
Mohr, Mark - GOV
From: Lippert, MaryAnn - DCF
To:
Subject:
Hansen, Joan M - DCF; Werwie, Cullen J - GOV; Schrimpf, Chris - GOV
FW: Media Call on My Blackberry
Hi-- Just FYI below. DCF will NOT be providing access for pictures.
MaryAnn Lippert
Executive Assistant
Department of Children and Families
201 East Washington Avenue
Madison, WI 53703
T 608.261.6588
F 608.261.6972
Email MarvAnn.Uppert@wisconsin.gov
From: Hayden, Stephanie L - DCF
To: Lippert, MaryAnn - DCF
Cc: Monroe-Kane, Erika - DCF
Subject: Media Call on My Blackberry
MaryAnn, per our conversation below is the detail about the conversation I had with Jessica Arp, Channel 3 Madison.
At 11:00 a.m. Jessica left a message on my Blackberry saying that she wanted to know if DCF employees reported to
work today and referenced some state workers' confusion. After speaking with you, I called Jessica back around 11:30. I
told her that some DCF employees had reported to work but it was sparce. She said that the station had received calls
from state workers (not necessarily DCF staff) that they were confused because it was dangerous to travel yet were
suppose to report to work and upset about having to used paid time off. I told Jessica that Secretary Anderson sent a
message to all DCF staff yesterday after the Governor's decree was released that provided guidance about what
employees should do if they could not make it to work today. Jessica then referenced when Governor Doyle closed state
government last year and asked me if I knew if employees had to use paid time off or not. I suggested that she call DOA
regarding this question. She also asked if she could get some shots of empty cubicles/offices. I told her that I would see
and it would depend on who made it to the office (if anyone) this afternoon.
Let me know if you have any questions! Stay warm!!!
Steph
Stephanie L Hayden
Communications Specialist
Department of Children and Families
(608) 261-9330 Direct
stephanie.hayden@wisconsin.gov
1
From:
Sent:
To:
Cc:
Wednesday, February 02, 201111:37 AM
Gilkes, Keith - GOV
Schutt, Eric- GOV; Murray, Ryan M - GOV; Werwie, Cullen J - GOV; Polzin, Cindy M -
GOV
FYI in Florida voters believe 64-28 that state workers should contribute to their pensions, which they currently don't do.
http://www.guinnipiac.edu/x1297.xmi?ReleaseiD-1554
Chris Schrimpf
4
Sent:
To:
Subject: Re: Situation Report #5 on Severe Weather
If that stays, that's a win
From: Werwie, Cullen J- GOV
Sent: Wednesday, February 02, 2011 10:22 AM
Subject: RE: Situation Report #5 on Severe Weather
Just her.
Cullen Werwie
Press Secretary
Press Office: {608} 267-7303
Email:
www. walker. wi.qov
To: Werwie, Cullen J - GOV
Are a bunch of other folks asking or just her so far
Sent: Wednesday, February 02, 201110:19 AM
To: Schrimpf, Chris - GOV; Gilkes, Keith - GOV; Hitt, Andrew A - GOV; Schutt, Eric- GOV
State workers are claiming to be "confused.'' Basically they are bitching about Walker not being clear about what they
are supposed to do.
I called Arp and told her state workers were going to bitch about everything we do. I asked her why state workers
weren't calling their managers, and were instead calling a TV station.
She wanted a justification as to why we issued the order in the manner in which we did, I have the info I just need to
craft it into a statement at some point today. She wanted the Gov on camera to explain, I said no way.
Cullen Werwie
Press Secretary
Press Office: {608} 267-7303
10
www. walker. wi.qov
To: Werwie, Cullen J - GOV; Gilkes, Keith - GOV; Hitt, Andrew A - GOV; Schutt, Eric - GOV
What's the complaint
From: Werwie, Cullen J - GOV
To: Schrimpf, Chris- GOV; Gilkes, Keith - GOV; Hitt, Andrew A - GOV; Schutt, Eric- GOV
I've talked to Arp, I'm going to get her a statement at some point today.
Cullen Werwie
Press Secretary
Press Office: (608} 267-7303
Email:
www. walker. wi.qov
To: Gilkes, Keith - GOV; Hitt, Andrew A- GOV; Schutt, Eric- GOV; Werwie, Cullen J - GOV
Fyi. I'm sure we'll be getting questions:
A tweet from arp:
Newsroom getting questions/concerns this morning from state workers about how state of emergency was handled.
#wiblizzard
From: Gilkes, Keith - GOV
To: Hitt, Andrew A- GOV; Schutt, Eric- GOV; Werwie, Cullen J - GOV; Schrimpf, Chris - GOV
Scott Matejov will be bringing the Governor to the EOC for a briefing. He will be calling to coordinate the briefing. After
the briefing, we will make a determination on press avail if needed.
From: Hitt, Andrew A - GOV
To: Gilkes, Keith - GOV; Schutt, Eric - GOV; Werwie, Cullen J - GOV; Schrimpf, Chris - GOV
Subject: Fw: Situation Report #5 on Severe Weather
11
See the report below:
Two interstates impassable and many other roads as well.
National guard has been called in and has assisted on many rescue missions and sweeps to check for stranded motorist.
I know it was discussed about having the Governor come to the operations center. It sounds like this may be
appropriate.
Ill check after I m briefed and at the EOC.
Andrew A. Hitt
Counsel
From: WI Dept. of Military Affairs [mailto:dma_wi@service.govdelivery.com]
. Sent: Wednesday, February 02, 2011 02:28 AM
To: Hitt, Andrew A - GOV
Subject: Situation Report #5 on Severe Weather
Situation Report
Wisconsin Emergency Operations Center
Department of Military Affairs 2400 Wright Slreelll Madison WI 53704
Situation Report #5 on Severe Weather
Wed. 02 Feb 2011 01:30:00 0600
Contact: Lori Getter
(608) 242-3239
News: Situation Report #5 on Severe Weather
Date: February 2, 2011 - 01 :30 am
Snowplows are losing the battle against the storm. Two interstates in Wisconsin are deemed impassible. Portions of many other roads
are snow covered, drifted and impassable. Wisconsin Emergency Management is urging everyone to stay off the roads in the southern
third of the state tonight into Wednesday morning across the southern third of Wisconsin.
1-94: Impassible between the Illinois-Wisconsin border to the Milwaukee County border.
1-43: Impassible between Beloit to Mukwonago.
The Wisconsin State Patrol along with the Wisconsin National Guard will sweep the area looking for any stranded motorists.
Other Roads: Columbia, Dane, Green, Grant, Iowa, Racine, Rock and Walworth Counties have requested Wisconsin National Guard
or Department of Natural Resources assistance to patrol state and county roads to help rescue stranded motorists. Stranded motorists
are strongly urged to stay in their vehicles until help arrives. Run your engine for 10 minutes every hour to keep warm. Keep a down
wind window slightly open to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
12
Airports: Mitchell Field in Milwaukee is now closed and will remain closed until Wednesday morning.
Power Outages: Power is out in Edgerton and Milton in Rock County involving 2200 customers. Other scattered outages are reported
across the. southern third of the state.
Weather: The blizzard continues to move across southern Wisconsin. Heavy snow, significant blowing and drifting snow from wind
gusts to 40 to 50 mph will create dangerous conditions. Wind chill temperatures throughout the blizzard will range from 5 to 5 below.
The southeastern corner of the state is getting the brunt of the snow with accumulations of 2 to 3 inches an hour possible until 3am.
Governor Scott Walker declared a State of Emergency for 29 counties prior to the storm The State of Emergency is a precautionary
measure for counties that are currently under a winter storm or blizzard warning. The counties named in the State of Emergency are
Adams, Calumet, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Fond duLac, Grant, Green, Green Lake, Iowa, Jefferson, Juneau, Kenosha,
Kewaunee, Lafayette, Manitowoc, Marquette, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Richland, Rock, Sauk, Sheboygan, Walworth, Washington,
Waukesha, and Winnebago Counties.
The Governor's State of Emergency called to active duty elements of the Wisconsin National Guard as deemed necessary by Brigadier
General Don Dunbar to assist local authorities if needed. Approximately 75 Wisconsin National Guard Soldiers are deploying to
armories across the state to assist local and state authorities with weather emergencies. The Soldiers, with tactical vehicles, reported to
Plymouth, Milwaukee, Oak Creek, Kenosha, Sussex, Elkhorn, Watertown, Janesville and Platteville February 1. They will remain on site
through the state of emergency or until released. The nine manned armories will be available for use as back-up emergency shelters
and the Soldiers will be standing by to support local authorities with emergency operations such as door-to-door safety visits, generator
assistance or stranded-motorist support.
The declaration also directs all state agencies to assist in any response or recovery efforts. Wisconsin Emergency Management (WEM)'
has been monitoring this storm system. The State of Wisconsin Emergency Operations Center (EOC) was elevated to Level3 at noon.
Staff from WEM, Wisconsin National Guard, State Patrol, Department ofTransportation and the Department of Natural Resources are
in the EOC monitoring the storm.
-30-
Full story available at: http://emergencymanagement.wi.gov
<hr size=2 width="100%" align=center>
This report is provided to you on behalf of the State of Wisconsin's Emergency Operations Center.
Update your subscriptions, modify your password or e-mail address, or stop subscriptions at any time on your Subscriber Preferences
Page. You will need to use your e-mail address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please
contact support@govdelivery.com.
GovDelivery, Inc. sending on behalf of the State of Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs which includes the Wisconsin .Air and Army National Guard, Wisconsin
Emergency Management, and the Wisconsin State Emergency Operations Center 2400 Wright Street Madison, Wl53708-8111 800-335-5147. Visit us on the
web at: http://dma.wi.gov
13
Sent:
To:
Just her.
Cullen Werwie
Press Secretary
Press Office: (608} 267-7303
Email: Cullen. Werwie@WI.Gov
www. walker. wi.qov
Sent: Wednesday, February 02., 2.01110:2.2. AM
To: Werwie, Cullen J - GOV
Sent: Wednesday, February 02., 2.01110:19 AM
To: Schrimpf, Chris - GOV; Gilkes, Keith - GOV; Hitt, Andrew A - GOV; Schutt, Eric- GOV
State workers are claimingto be "confused." Basically they are bitching about Walker not being clear about what they
are supposed to do.
Cullen Werwie
Press Secretary
Press Office: (608} 267-7303
www. walker. wi. qov
14
To: Werwie, Cullen J - GOV; Gilkes, Keith - GOV; Hitt, Andrew A- GOV; Schutt, Eric- GOV
To: Schrimpf, Chris - GOV; Gilkes, Keith - GOV; Hitt, Andrew A- GOV; Schutt, Eric- GOV
Cullen Werwie
Press Secretary
Press Office: {608} 267-7303
Email:
A tweet from arp:
#wiblizzard
To: Hitt, Andrew A- GOV; Schutt, Eric - GOV; Werwie, Cullen J - GOV; Schrimpf, Chris - GOV
From: Hitt, Andrew A- GOV
Sent: Wednesday, February 02, 2011 4:42AM
15
appropriate.
Andrew A. Hitt
Deputy Legal Counsel
Situation Report
Department of Mtlitary Affairs 2400 Wrigtlt Street Madison WI 53704
Date: February 2, 2011 - 01:30am
Airports: MitcheJI Field in Milwaukee is now closed and will remain closed until Wednesday morning.
across the southern third of the state.
16
Adams, Calumet, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Fond du Lac, Grant, Green, Green Lake, Iowa, Jefferson, Juneau, Kenosha,
and the Soldi.ers will be standing by to support local authorities with emergency operations such as door-to-door safety visits, generator
The declaration also directs all state agencies to assist in any response or recovery efforts. Wisconsin Emergency Management (WEM)
has been monitoring this storm system. The State of Wisconsin Emergency Operations Center (EOC) was elevated to Level3 at noon.
Staff from WEM, Wisconsin National Guard, State Patrol, Department of Transportation and the Department of Natural Resources are
-30-
<hr size=2 width="1 00%" align=center>
contact support@govdeliverv.com.
GovOelivery, Inc. sending on behalf of the State of Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs which includes the Wisconsin Air and Army National Guard, Wisconsin
Emergency Management, and the Wisconsin State Emergency Operations Center 2400 Wright Street Madison, Wl53708-8111 800-335-5147. Visit us on the
17
Sent:
To:
To: Schrimpf, Chris - GOV; Gilkes, Keith - GOV; Hitt, Andrew A- GOV; Schutt, Eric - GOV
State workers are claiming to be "confused." Basically they are bitching about Walker not being clear about what they
are supposed to do.
Cullen Werwie
Press Secretary
Press Office: {608} 267-7303
Email:
www. walker. wi.qov
To: Werwie, Cullen J - GOV; Gilkes, Keith - GOV; Hitt, Andrew A- GOV; Schutt, Eric - GOV
To: Schrimpf, Chris - GOV; Gilkes, Keith - GOV; Hitt, Andrew A - GOV; Schutt, Eric - GOV
Cullen Werwie
Press Secretary
Press Office: {608} 267-7303
18
To: Gilkes, Keith - GOV; Hitt, Andrew A - GOV; Schutt, Eric- GOV; Werwie, Cullen J - GOV
A tweet from arp:
#wiblizzard
To: Hitt, Andrew A- GOV; Schutt, Eric - GOV; Werwie, Cullen J - GOV; Schrimpf, Chris - GOV
To: Gilkes, Keith - GOV; Schutt, Eric- GOV; Werwie, Cullen J - GOV; Schrimpf, Chris - GOV
I know it was discussed about having the Governor come to the operations center. It sounds like this m ~ y be
appropriate.
Andrew A. H itt
andrew.hitt@wisconsin.gov
To: Hitt, Andrew A- GOV
19
~ ,. +,
t ~ ' , ' ' ,\
.
'
Situation Report
Depa11ment of Military Affairs 2400 Wright Street Madison WI 53704
Wed, 02 Feb 2011 01:30:00 -0600
Date: February 2, 2011 - 01:30am
has been monitoring this storm system. The State of Wisconsin Emergency Operations Center (EOC) was elevated to Level 3 at noon.
-30-
20
Page. You will need to use your e-mail address to log in. lfyou have questions or problems with the subscription service, please
GovDelivery, Inc. sending on behalf of the State of Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs which includes the Wisconsin Air and Army National Guard, Wisconsin
Emergency Management, and the Wisconsin State Emergency Operations Center 2400 Wright Street Madison, WI 53708-8111 800-335-5147. Visit us on the
web at: http://dma.wLgov
21
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Schrimpf, Chris - GOV; Gilkes, Keith - GOV; Hitt, Andrew A - GOV; Schutt, Eric- GOV
RE: Situation Report #5 on Severe Weather
State workers are claiming to be "confused." Basically they are bitching about Walker not being clear about what they
are supposed to do.
Cullen Werwie
Press Secretary
Office af Governor Scott Walker
Press Office: (608} 267-7303
www. walker. wi.qov
From: S>:hrimpf, Chris - GOV
To: Werwie, Cullen J - GOV; Gilkes, Keith - GOV; Hilt, Andrew A - GOV; Schutt, Eric - GOV
Cullen Werwie
Press Secretary
Press Office: {608} 267-7303
Email:
22
From: Schrimpf, Chris- GOV
To: Gilkes, Keith - GOV; Hitt, Andrew A - GOV; Schutt, Eric - GOV; Werwie, Cullen J - GOV
A tweet from arp:
Newsroom. getting questions/concerns this morning from state workers about how state of emergency was handled.
#wiblizzard
To: Gilkes, Keith -. GOV; Schutt, Eric - GOV; Werwie, Cullen J - GOV; Schrimpf, Chris - GOV
appropriate.
Andrew A. Hilt
23
Situation Report
Oepar1ment or Military Affairs 2400 Wright Street Madison WI 53704
Wed, 02 Feb 2011 01:30:00 -0600
Adams, Calumet, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Fond duLac, Grant, Green, Green Lake, Iowa, Jefferson, Juneau, Kenosha,
General Don Dunbar to assist local authorities if needed. Approximately 75 Wisconsin National Guard Soldiers. are deploying to
- 30-
24
<hr size=2 width="100%" align=center>
GovDetivery, Inc. sending on behalf of the State of Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs which includes the Wisconsin Air and Army National Guard, Wisconsin
Emergency Management, and the Wisconsin State Emergency Operations Center 2400 Wright Street Madison, Wl Visit us on the
web at: http://dma.wi.gov '
25
To:
Subject:
Werwie, Cullen J - GOV; Gilkes, Keith - GOV; Hitt, Andrew A- GOV; Schutt, Eric- GOV
Re: Situation Report #5 on Severe Weather
Cullen Werwie
Press Secretary
Press Office: (608) 267-7303
Email:
www. walker. wi.qov
A tweet from arp:
#wiblizzard
26
appropriate.
Andrew A. Hitt
~ m
1 ! ' ~ ~
.... ~ ' l"\f \ \ ~ \
" .
.
Situation Report
Departmeni of Military Affairs 2400 Wnght Street a Madison Wt 53704
Wed, 02 Feb 2011 01:30:00 -0600
Date: Februqry 2, 2011 - 01 :30 am
27
The State of Emergency called to active duty elements of the Wisconsin National Guard as deemed necessary by Brigadier
through the.state of emergency or until released. The nine manned armories will be available for use as back-up emergency shelters
-30-
<hr size=2 width=
11
1 00%
11
align=center>
28
To:
Subject:
Schrimpf, Chris - GOV; Gilkes, Keith - GOV; Hilt, Andrew A- GOV; Schutt, Eric- GOV
RE: Situation Report #5 on Severe Weather
Cullen Werwie
Press Secretary
Press Office: {608} 267-7303
Email:
www. walker. wi.qov
A tweet from a rp:
#wiblizzard
appropriate.
29
Andrew A. Hitt
Situation Report
Department of Military Aflairs2400 Wright Street 111 Madison Wt 53704
(608) 242-3239
Weather: The blizzard continues to rnove across southern Wisconsin. Heavy snow, significant blowing and drifting snow from wind
30
-30-
Full story available at: http:/lemergencymanagement.wi.gov
contact support@govdelivery.com.
web at: http:/ldma.wi.gov
31
To:
Subject:
Gilkes, Keith- GOV; Hitt, Andrew A- GOV; Schutt, Eric - GOV; Werwie, Cullen J - GOV
Re: Situation Report #5 on Severe Weather
A tweet from arp:
#wiblizzard
To: Hitt, Andrew A - GOV; Schutt, Eric - GOV; Werwie, Cullen J - GOV; Schrimpf, Chris - GOV
appropriate.
I II check after I m briefed and at the EOC.
Andrew A. Hilt
Office..._
Cell:----
32
Situation Report
Department of Military Affairs 2400 Wnght Street fv1adison WI 53704
Wed, 02 Feb 201101:30:00-0600
Snowplows are losing the battle against the storm. Two interstates in Wisconsin are deemed impassible. Portions of many other" roads
are snow covered, drifted and impassable. Wisconsin Emergency Management. is urging everyone to stay off the roads in the southern
Weather: The blizzard continues to move across .southern Wisconsin. Heavy snow, significant blowing and drifting snow from wind
armqries across the state to assist local and state authorities with weather emergencies. The Soldiers, with tactical vehicles, reported to
-30-
33
Full story available at: http://emerqencymanagement.wi.gov
Update your subscriptions, modify your password or e-mail address, or stop subscriptions at any time on your Subscriber .Preferences
GovDelivery, Inc. sending on behalf o.f the State of Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs which includes the Wisconsin Air and Army National Guard, Wisconsin
34

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