A report on action taken by legislature’s Joint Finance Committee
The budget-reviewing committee has completed its work on the budget (AB 40), which now moves to the full Assembly for action. For the next week or so, lawmakers will hold budget briefings and caucusess to figure out their floor strategy for the upcoming budget vote and debate. The Assembly will take up the budget the week of June 17. The Senate should act on the bill the week after and send the bill on to the governor by the end of June.

It is possible that the Assembly or Senate may modify sections of the budget bill. But the bulk of the legislature’s work on the budget usually happens in committee. That means 98% of the budget is “done” but there are still opportunities to amend the bill. If that happens, both houses must pass identical amendments and any differences in the Assembly and Senate must be reconciled, either before the houses vote (behind closed doors) or in a formal semi-public ‘conference committee’.

In addition to the budget, this June lawmakers are expected to take up other legislation, such as election and voting restrictions, abortion law changes and possibly even more cutbacks on workers’ unemployment benefits. Lawmakers will be extremely busy these next few weeks. AFSCME is keeping close tabs on all of these issues.

Here’s our general overview of the big ticket policy items as well as issues of interest to labor in the Walker budget, as modified by the Joint Committee on Finance.

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Update on the Joint Finance Committee’s agenda for June 4
A new report on the cost of not accepting federal Medicaid dollars
How some GOP extremists are working to make unemployment benefits harder to access
Income tax ‘reform’ for the rich and an added bonus – choking off revenue
Dismantling Milwaukee County – bill signed into law today
GOP redoubles efforts to suppress voters Read more >>>

Where things are with the state budget bill and ‘how a bill becomes a law’ update

The legislature’s budget committee is in the heat of the discussions on the Walker budget and have made some key decisions this week. This report discusses some of the votes taken so far. After Memorial Day, the committee is expected to vote on the most controversial part of the state budget: school funding, and the governor’s plan to expand private school vouchers. AFSCME members who want to follow the proceedings can tune in live via Wisconsin Eye (www.wiseye.org) to watch the debate.

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The famous Manitowoc County Pig Roast is set for Tuesday, July 9, at Manitowoc’s Lincoln Park. The event will be held in Cabin 2. Tickets will not be sold at the door, so order now. As in past years please make checks payable to Michelle Kohlbeck, $15 per person, BUT mail them to Cindy Satori, 6820 Hartlaub Lake Road, Manitowoc, WI, 54220. A registration form may also be found on our website..  Ticket order form Read more >>>

 The roads you took to work this morning. The clean and safe water that you brushed your teeth with. The bus that picked your kids up for school.

Our taxes make all of these public services — and so much more — possible. They make our communities possible. And we're proud to invest in our common good.

 A Wisconsin appeals court has refused to put on hold a judge's decision repealing major parts of Gov. Scott Walker's law effectively ending collective bargaining for most public workers.

Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen asked the 4th District Court of Appeals to place the September ruling of Dane County Circuit Judge Juan Colas on hold while an appeal is pending. Colas refused in October and the appeals court on Tuesday upheld that decision.

The appeals court says it sees "no basis to set aside the circuit court's decision that a stay was not warranted."

A spokeswoman for Van Hollen did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Last year's ruling overturned the law as it pertained to school and local government workers.  (read more)  (read decision)

A Dane County judge has ruled many of the provisions of Wis Act 10 unconsititutional. The judge found that certain provisions of the act violate the free speech, freedom of association and equal protection clauses. Read more >>>

Through the cooperation of AFSCME, the AFL-CIO and Council 40 we are pleased to announce a new free service for Local Unions. Laborweb is a simple and free tool to build websites and strengthen communication. (more)

JOIN OUR FACEBOOK GROUP We have started a Facebook group for to provide our members with another sources of information about what is happening here in Council 40. Search Facebook for AFSCME Council 40 and join in.