Daily Archives: 02/15/2011

The pro-homosexual agenda and labor in WI

by Amy Lewis

An email from Fair Wisconsin–the group that opposed the Marriage Amendment–to supporters.  (See highlighted text.)

Dear Supporter,

I have an unusual, but absolutely critical, request of you today.

So often I write to you about the need to protect LGBT people and their families against attempts to strip away rights and critical protections.  You have responded over and over again and I sincerely appreciate your continued action in the fight for equality.

We have also been proud to welcome the support of our Union brothers and sisters in that fight. Every time we’ve had a challenge, whether it’s been the campaign against the 2006 constitutional amendment or vocal support of the domestic partner registry in 2009, Labor has never failed to stand with us in our time of need.

Yesterday, we heard about Governor Walker’s plan to strip public employees’ rights to organize and bargain collectively. This is our opportunity to thank these people – the same individuals who teach our children, care for our sick and even plow our streets – for their support by standing with them as they fight for their right to exist.

Our government should never be in the business of taking away people’s rights.

Please join with Fair Wisconsin in contacting your legislators and asking them to protect our union brothers and sisters today.

Thank you.

In fairness AND solidarity,

Katie Belanger
Executive Director

P.S. Support your friends, family and neighbors who depend on public jobs to support their families. Join Fair Wisconsin and thousands of union members and allies for an 11am rally at the State Capitol on Tuesday and Wednesday!  We need you to show our elected officials that whether you’re LGBT, straight, union member, or not, taking away people’s rights is never acceptable.

Budget Adjustment Bill In The Best Interest of Families

by Amy Lewis

Drastic action necessary to balance the budget without massive job cuts

MADISON—Wisconsin Family Action President Julaine Appling released the following statement on Special Session Senate Bill 11, Governor Walker’s Budget Adjustment Bill.

“As a pro-family organization, we must speak out because this is fundamentally about the integrity and independence of the family unit.  Unsustainable state government debt hurts families now and in the future.  This is a reasonable plan.  It’s a way in which we now can truly say we’re all working for the best interest of WI.  The private sector has made its cuts and continues to make cuts.  Families in the private sector have adjusted to smaller incomes and are grateful to still have jobs in this economy.  We cannot go back to them and raise taxes in order to keep benefits for public sector employees at an artificially inflated level.

“We appreciate the service of our public sector employees, including teachers.  However, benefits are a value-add for employees when the employer has the ability to enhance the job package.  The state of Wisconsin no longer has the ability to provide a Cadillac of benefit packages to public employees who currently share only a fraction of the cost.  State and local government must be able to address budget deficits without getting tied up in months of benefits negotiation.  We are broke and our only other options are to make massive job cuts, go deeper into debt or implement an oppressive tax increase on families.  Governor Walker’s proposal is a reasonable approach to balance the state budget, one that does not cut family-supporting jobs or increase the burden on family incomes in the private sector.”

Vote Today!

by Amy Lewis

Today is an extremely important Spring Primary Election for a seat on the State Supreme Court.  Incumbent Justice David T. Prosser is challenged by three attorneys: JoAnne Kloppenburg, Joel Winnig and Marla Stephens.  For additional information on the four candidates, click here.

As members of an increasingly powerful branch of government, justices on the State Supreme Court have incredible responsibility.  The ten-year term for a State Supreme Court Justice is the longest elected term in the state.  Wisconsin’s high court is often the final stop for statutes and constitutional provisions in our state and has incredible power over individual and corporate rights.

It is absolutely imperative that Wisconsin voters take part in this race and cast informed ballots.  For more information, visit www.yourwisconsinvote.org.

Please note: the Supreme Court Primary is the only statewide race on the primary ballot today.   Depending on where you live, you may see circuit court judge, mayoral, city/county board and/or school board races on your ballot today, as well.