Wisconsin needs a new deal
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Another day, another round of problems reported in the MJS today at the School of Humanities. Wednesday included; a dozen cop cars, reports of a fight including a gun, and a 45 minute student lockdown in the afternoon. The front page Metro section story is accompanied by a picture of a student being led away by police to an awaiting police car. To read the entire sad story:
Link
Is this what we have to look forward to with the new small schools?
I think there needs to be answers quickly from administration about what the hell is going on. This is not just a financial problem at this school - which is the stated reason for closing the school by administration. Given that there are serious plans by the current administration to expand the small school model to Vincent, Bay View, and other large MPS high schools, it appears that they need to better explain what is going on with the first model at North Division.
Link
Is this what we have to look forward to with the new small schools?
I think there needs to be answers quickly from administration about what the hell is going on. This is not just a financial problem at this school - which is the stated reason for closing the school by administration. Given that there are serious plans by the current administration to expand the small school model to Vincent, Bay View, and other large MPS high schools, it appears that they need to better explain what is going on with the first model at North Division.
Today's MJS has a disturbing story about one of MPS's new small high schools. For those who are unaware, MPS is in a rapid process of closing traditional large high schools in favor of multiple smaller schools that operate in the old large school. The idea is that smaller schools will lead to smaller learning environments and engagement which will lead to better performance.
However, the school closed yesterday, The School of Humanities, sounds like it was a disaster. The article cites violence, a 92% suspension rate, and an unbelievable 132% truancy rate - that's right over 100%. To read how a school can get such a score: Link
New Deal has had a number of conversations with teachers, administrators, and students in the small schools and there appears to be reason for broader concern about the schools.
Jay or anyone else with insight what are your thoughts on the MPS small schools?
However, the school closed yesterday, The School of Humanities, sounds like it was a disaster. The article cites violence, a 92% suspension rate, and an unbelievable 132% truancy rate - that's right over 100%. To read how a school can get such a score: Link
New Deal has had a number of conversations with teachers, administrators, and students in the small schools and there appears to be reason for broader concern about the schools.
Jay or anyone else with insight what are your thoughts on the MPS small schools?
Bravo to the Harley workers who overwhelmingly rejected a contract offer that would have functionally busted the union. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel front page story has amazing quotes from the rank and file who show they get what is at stake.
Let's be clear. If those members support a two-tiered wage structure, they will be sewing the seed of their destruction. Unfortunately, it appears the leadership supported the contract. They claim they had a messaging problem with the membership. I'll say they do. Listen to the workers - they refreshingly speak with great moral clarity:
"They try to portray themselves as being different from most companies. They're no different. They're greedy. They have the funds to provide what they're going to build. I personally think Harley should be ashamed of themselves even asking the state to kick in on something like this."
Another employee says:
"I can understand if it were GM or Ford, who are hurting. They're not hurting by any means."
A surprised union member commented:
"I didn't think that they had enough backbone. I'm really proud of the members, I really am. There comes a time when you have to stand up and say enough's enough."
To read the story: Link
Let's be clear. If those members support a two-tiered wage structure, they will be sewing the seed of their destruction. Unfortunately, it appears the leadership supported the contract. They claim they had a messaging problem with the membership. I'll say they do. Listen to the workers - they refreshingly speak with great moral clarity:
"They try to portray themselves as being different from most companies. They're no different. They're greedy. They have the funds to provide what they're going to build. I personally think Harley should be ashamed of themselves even asking the state to kick in on something like this."
Another employee says:
"I can understand if it were GM or Ford, who are hurting. They're not hurting by any means."
A surprised union member commented:
"I didn't think that they had enough backbone. I'm really proud of the members, I really am. There comes a time when you have to stand up and say enough's enough."
To read the story: Link
In spite of huge profits Harley Davidson Inc. is calling on its workers to approve 33% lower wages for new hires and significantly reduced benefits for all employees in exchange for a $120 million expansion of the firm's Milwaukee factories.
Apparently Harley has decided its time to jump on the "screw the workers" bandwagon. What if the workers say no? Good bye plant expansion. What a great corporate citizen.
The minute the union accepts a two-tiered wage schedule the union is dead. No self respecting new worker will have any love for the union that allowed them to take the shaft. Harley won't even say how many jobs will be created.
It is amazing that Milwaukee manufacturers complain that they can't find enough workers anymore. Who the hell is going to go into an industry that continues to roll back wages and benefits, and in Harley's case, at a time of record profits and little competition? The article compares Harley to GM as if they are in the same economic situation.
One Harley worker gets to the point:
"It aggravates me that Harley puts it out that they're such a great company and then they do this on the workers' backs. Now, if you had a kid and you were a factory worker and you'd lost your job and given concessions and stuff, would you recommend to your kid to go to work in a factory? No."
To read the whole article: Link
Apparently Harley has decided its time to jump on the "screw the workers" bandwagon. What if the workers say no? Good bye plant expansion. What a great corporate citizen.
The minute the union accepts a two-tiered wage schedule the union is dead. No self respecting new worker will have any love for the union that allowed them to take the shaft. Harley won't even say how many jobs will be created.
It is amazing that Milwaukee manufacturers complain that they can't find enough workers anymore. Who the hell is going to go into an industry that continues to roll back wages and benefits, and in Harley's case, at a time of record profits and little competition? The article compares Harley to GM as if they are in the same economic situation.
One Harley worker gets to the point:
"It aggravates me that Harley puts it out that they're such a great company and then they do this on the workers' backs. Now, if you had a kid and you were a factory worker and you'd lost your job and given concessions and stuff, would you recommend to your kid to go to work in a factory? No."
To read the whole article: Link
It is very telling that Senator Dave Zien skipped a health care forum last night at St. Joseph's Hospital in Chippewa Falls. Dave Zien does not support the Legislature doing anything serious to address the health care crisis.
All the polls are clear - health care costs are the most important issue in this year's election. Dave Zien has no answers so he is a no-show. It's time for real leadership. See you at the polls on November 7th.
All the polls are clear - health care costs are the most important issue in this year's election. Dave Zien has no answers so he is a no-show. It's time for real leadership. See you at the polls on November 7th.
If you thought there was more behind Menards' decision to locate two new warehouses in Ohio and Iowa you were right.
For the whole story behind Menards' decision see this well researched article by the Brew City Brawler, the best media critic in the state. He's worth a regular read. Link
For the whole story behind Menards' decision see this well researched article by the Brew City Brawler, the best media critic in the state. He's worth a regular read. Link
An interview with Service Employees International Union (SEIU) President on The Colbert Report that is worth watching:
After watching the clip it is not hard to understand why New Deal likes Stern's message.
Link
After watching the clip it is not hard to understand why New Deal likes Stern's message.
Link
TV 18 is conducting a poll on the top issue in the November Election. Currently, Health care is the top issue with an astounding 53% of the vote.
Yet, according to the Leader Telegram (8/23/06) Senator Brown thinks it is absurd that anyone would suggest the Legislature is failing for not doing anything about the health care crisis.
Amazingly out of touch.
To vote click on the link:
http://www.wqow.com/
Yet, according to the Leader Telegram (8/23/06) Senator Brown thinks it is absurd that anyone would suggest the Legislature is failing for not doing anything about the health care crisis.
Amazingly out of touch.
To vote click on the link:
http://www.wqow.com/
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel is reporting that Milwaukee High School for the Arts is in serious financial situation.
Students at the school will receive with new schedules next week that will reduce offerings in several of the school's specialties.
The school Principal Eugene Humphrey wrote in a letter sent to parents: "It has become apparent that under the current circumstances, the model arts program that was originally established for MHSA can no longer be implemented as conceived. Milwaukee High School of the Arts is in a critical financial situation... To balance the budget and address the deficit for the 2006-'07 school year, it is necessary to reduce the teaching staff. The departments directly affected include creative writing, foreign language, science and theater. Ultimately, however, every program at MHSA is being affected by this reduction in one way or another."
to see the full article:
Link
Students at the school will receive with new schedules next week that will reduce offerings in several of the school's specialties.
The school Principal Eugene Humphrey wrote in a letter sent to parents: "It has become apparent that under the current circumstances, the model arts program that was originally established for MHSA can no longer be implemented as conceived. Milwaukee High School of the Arts is in a critical financial situation... To balance the budget and address the deficit for the 2006-'07 school year, it is necessary to reduce the teaching staff. The departments directly affected include creative writing, foreign language, science and theater. Ultimately, however, every program at MHSA is being affected by this reduction in one way or another."
to see the full article:
Link
Wispolitics is reporting:
"Health care costs topped taxes as the No. 1 issue for likely voters in making their decision on whether to vote for Jim Doyle or Mark Green, according to the September Checkpoint Survey.
The statewide survey of 400 likely voters found that 36 percent of those surveyed said the 'cost of health insurance/health care costs' was the most important factor in their guv's race decision.
That was followed by taxes (32 percent), public K-12 schools quality and costs (20 percent), and jobs (18 percent).
Likely voters who said they voted for Democratic and Republican candidates and voters who said they voted mostly for Democrats tilted toward the health care cost issue. Those who said they voted mostly for Republicans dominated the group that responded that taxes was the most important issue."
"Health care costs topped taxes as the No. 1 issue for likely voters in making their decision on whether to vote for Jim Doyle or Mark Green, according to the September Checkpoint Survey.
The statewide survey of 400 likely voters found that 36 percent of those surveyed said the 'cost of health insurance/health care costs' was the most important factor in their guv's race decision.
That was followed by taxes (32 percent), public K-12 schools quality and costs (20 percent), and jobs (18 percent).
Likely voters who said they voted for Democratic and Republican candidates and voters who said they voted mostly for Democrats tilted toward the health care cost issue. Those who said they voted mostly for Republicans dominated the group that responded that taxes was the most important issue."
A majority of the 9 million children in the United States who lack health insurance live in two-parent families in which at least one parent is working, according to a report released Thursday by Families USA.
To see the full Los Angeles Times article:
Link
To see the full Los Angeles Times article:
Link
I find it odd the MPS should have to pay for police service when it is cutting core programs.
Question for Jay or anyone else: Is this arrangement unusual? Do other districts have to pay for police service?
Question for Jay or anyone else: Is this arrangement unusual? Do other districts have to pay for police service?
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Joel Dresang - a rare quality labor journalist at the increasingly reactionary paper - is reporting that
"Unite Here, a union for textile and hotel and restaurant workers, declared a victory for workers at Superior Health Linens after the Madison-based company posted a settlement notice to employees saying it wouldn't interfere with their rights to unionize."
This is great news for these workers. When an employer decides to respect workers' right to decide for themselves whether they want to form a union - free from employer interference and intimidation - workers overwhelming vote to have a voice at work.
"Unite Here, a union for textile and hotel and restaurant workers, declared a victory for workers at Superior Health Linens after the Madison-based company posted a settlement notice to employees saying it wouldn't interfere with their rights to unionize."
This is great news for these workers. When an employer decides to respect workers' right to decide for themselves whether they want to form a union - free from employer interference and intimidation - workers overwhelming vote to have a voice at work.
The most recent Wisconsin Policy Research Institute (WPRI) poll found Wisconsin voters are increasingly focusing on health care as their most important issue this November.
In the new survey, when people were asked to name the most important problem facing Wisconsin "that the government should be doing something about," 16% named health care issues, up three points from a June poll. This was the 2nd highest issue.
It is quite amazing that this issue is surging in polls and yet there is a total lack of attention to it from the State Legislature.
The WPRI is a conservative think tank from Milwaukee. The survey interviewed 600 likely voters statewide on Sept. 20 and 21. The margin of error is four percentage points.
In the new survey, when people were asked to name the most important problem facing Wisconsin "that the government should be doing something about," 16% named health care issues, up three points from a June poll. This was the 2nd highest issue.
It is quite amazing that this issue is surging in polls and yet there is a total lack of attention to it from the State Legislature.
The WPRI is a conservative think tank from Milwaukee. The survey interviewed 600 likely voters statewide on Sept. 20 and 21. The margin of error is four percentage points.
The Daily Reporter tells us that Intel Corp. Chairman Craig Barrett is predicting massive job loss if we don't immediately address the health care crisis.
Barrett says:
"The (health care) system is out of control, it's unstable, it's basically bankrupt, it gets worse each year, and all we do is tinker around the edges when what we need are major fixes." Barrett added that health care costs make it increasingly difficult for U.S. companies to compete with rivals abroad.
Where is the Leadership?
Where is Ron Brown? Where is Dave Zien? Where are the rest of the Eau Claire area legislators who all voted against the Legislature taking action on addressing the crisis?
To see the whole article:
Link
Barrett says:
"The (health care) system is out of control, it's unstable, it's basically bankrupt, it gets worse each year, and all we do is tinker around the edges when what we need are major fixes." Barrett added that health care costs make it increasingly difficult for U.S. companies to compete with rivals abroad.
Where is the Leadership?
Where is Ron Brown? Where is Dave Zien? Where are the rest of the Eau Claire area legislators who all voted against the Legislature taking action on addressing the crisis?
To see the whole article:
Link
A new Kaiser Family Foundation survey on the cost of health insurance premiums offered by American employers rose 7.7% in 2006.
Some may want to hail the slight reduction in the premium cost increases the last couple of years. However, the survey doesn't track increases in deductibles or co-payments. The article points out that "other surveys show that those have increased in recent years despite higher premiums. A recent survey of companies in the Milwaukee area, for instance, found that 47% increased deductibles, co-pays and co-insurance this year."
Ultimately for the average working family trying to make a go of it, the cost of health care is crippling their budgets. Since 2000, the survey found that the cost of health insurance has risen on average by 87%, compared with an 18% increase in the cost of living.
To read the full article:
Link
Some may want to hail the slight reduction in the premium cost increases the last couple of years. However, the survey doesn't track increases in deductibles or co-payments. The article points out that "other surveys show that those have increased in recent years despite higher premiums. A recent survey of companies in the Milwaukee area, for instance, found that 47% increased deductibles, co-pays and co-insurance this year."
Ultimately for the average working family trying to make a go of it, the cost of health care is crippling their budgets. Since 2000, the survey found that the cost of health insurance has risen on average by 87%, compared with an 18% increase in the cost of living.
To read the full article:
Link
A current electronic poll in the Manitowoc Herald Times has health insurance costs as the leading issue among respondents. 42.4% list health insurance costs as their top concern.
Yet amazingly, the Legislature continues to ignore the health care crisis. If fact, Senator Ron Brown insists in the Eau Claire Leader Telegram that "to suggest the Legislature is failing is absolutely absurd."
What?
Taxes are currently at 26%
Jobs is at 21.6%
To see the entire poll and vote yourself go:
Link
Yet amazingly, the Legislature continues to ignore the health care crisis. If fact, Senator Ron Brown insists in the Eau Claire Leader Telegram that "to suggest the Legislature is failing is absolutely absurd."
What?
Taxes are currently at 26%
Jobs is at 21.6%
To see the entire poll and vote yourself go:
Link
Turns out Eau Claire has started a health care referendum wildfire across Wisconsin.
According to the the League of Municipalities, the Manitowoc referendum caused as many as 11 other municipalities to put it on the ballot, including Lodi and Hudson.
So the current count for health care referendums is 4 counties (Eau Claire, La Crosse, Dunn, and Jackson), and at least 4 cities (Racine, Manitowoc, Hudson, and Lodi) and according to the League of Municipalities 8 additional municipalities.
According to the the League of Municipalities, the Manitowoc referendum caused as many as 11 other municipalities to put it on the ballot, including Lodi and Hudson.
So the current count for health care referendums is 4 counties (Eau Claire, La Crosse, Dunn, and Jackson), and at least 4 cities (Racine, Manitowoc, Hudson, and Lodi) and according to the League of Municipalities 8 additional municipalities.
There was a great front page article in the Racine Journal Times about the City of Racine Health Care Referendum. The referendum was placed on the ballot this Tuesday night by the City Council.
Racine Mayor Gary Becker really hits it on the head when he comments, "We have to send a message to Madison, 'Hey, you guys aren't doing your job.' "
Link
Racine Mayor Gary Becker really hits it on the head when he comments, "We have to send a message to Madison, 'Hey, you guys aren't doing your job.' "
Link
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