Bad Bargaining by the Beholden

Over the past several months, representatives of Governor Kate Brown and the progressive liberal Democrat Party majority have been quietly discussing new labor contracts with the State’s public employee unions. Not surprisingly, these labor negotiations, with some of the Democrat Party’s major political contributors, have not gone well for Oregon taxpayers.

Read more of Senator Doug Whitsett's bulletin here
(Hat tip: KimR) Read More......

Rep. Richardson: Should Oregon Continue Paying 100% of Employee Health Benefits?

REP. DENNIS RICHARDSON, NEWSLETTER, 6/17/2011

[Excerpt] HB 2011 would require State of Oregon workers to begin paying something toward their group medical, dental and vision benefits. This is something many school districts already ask of their employees, including teachers. ∴ I believe it is time for state workers to begin paying at least $50 per month toward the $1200 monthly bill for state worker group health benefits. If this $50 minimum payment were required, more than $69 million would be generated in 2011-13—that is $69 million that could be used for high priority programs. Read more at Rep. Richardson's Newsletter...

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Wisconsin's budget repair bill passes -- profound drama continues

Richard Fernandez at The Belmont Club refers to the Wisconsin 'budget repair bill' as The Shaking of the Foundations

"...referring “to the Wisconsin Senate’s 18-1 vote earlier in the evening in favor of legislation, supported by Gov. Scott Walker, that would strip politicians of the power to reward government employee unions for their political support.”

And likely to spread from state to state... Read More......