busplunge: Yard sign, Springfield, MO

Sunday, March 06, 2011

Yard sign, Springfield, MO

13 comments:

Anonymous said...: In Wisconsin, unused sick leave has a high value after retirement. At retirement, the sick leave balance is converted to dollar credits to pay for health insurance. Employers contribute to fund the program.
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New full-time employees are granted an initial entitlement of 22 working days (176 hours) of sick leave. After 18 months of service, employees with annual appointments earn sick leave at the rate of one day per month and employees with academic-year appointments earn sick leave at the rate of six days per semester.
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Except for the initial entitlement, sick leave may be taken only after it has been earned.
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Sick leave can be used when you cannot be present during your official schedule due to medical appointments, your own illness or injury or that of a family member who requires your care, or the death of a family member. State law and UW policy allows employees to use sick leave for time off for a birth or adoption.
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If you report completely, accurately, and in a timely manner, your unused sick leave accumulates from year to year without limit.; 3/07/2011 6:17 PM
Anonymous said...: Umm...is that a pro worker comment? Sounds fair to me...; 3/07/2011 9:23 PM
Anonymous said...: I believe the point of 6:17 PM is the State of Wisconsin is struggling to manage expenses and this very nice benefit, when added to many others, is contributing to budget problems.; 3/08/2011 11:12 AM
Anonymous said...: I guess it boils down to do you want to give tax breaks to corporations or give retirement benefits and sick leave to people.---

this whole affair is a sad reflection on republicans in general; 3/08/2011 8:53 PM
Anonymous said...: Valid point, 8:53. Compared to corporations which need to make a profit to stay in business, the government (i.e. Wisconsin) need only to raise taxes or cut expenses.

The desire to run government somewhat like a business by Republicans has never been well thought of by Democrats who believe government owes them something.; 3/08/2011 9:26 PM
Anonymous said...: I see it differently.

You cannot promise something to people for years and years and make no attempt what so ever to plan to eventually pay what you promised. You cannot change horses in the middle of a stream. Many of these teachers and public employees were promised these benefits. I wonder is Rush, Hannity, Levin, O'Reilly, and the other maggots on talk radio would work without a contract and perks? I think not. But then, they're Republicans, so special huh?

Then the economy goes south and lo and behold, there is no money to pay whats been promised. Who the hells fault is that? NOT the employees. These legislatures chose to spend every freaking dime they get their hands on with no regard for whats due. How about an old fashioned savings account for money they owe that gets paid 1st not last.

How about keeping your word to these workers?

Renegotiate sure. But to "just say no" to employees you've made commitments to is low life Republican bull shit.

The Republicans are on the wrong side of this issue.

There will be national strike days and most Americans WILL honor them by not working.

Obama is in in 2012.

Thank your Tea Party now, why wait?; 3/09/2011 10:58 AM
Anonymous said...: Well, 10:58, you are a halo of enlightment. I guess the question becomes when do you change horses?

Part of the problem in Missouri is term limits. How you ask?

We have a group who spend money as you suggest, with no long-term vision of their actions. Back in the good old days, when we had long-term Senators and Representatives who had more than an eight-year vision of their actions, the issue of employee benefits was closely monitored and understood, as well as state department and agency spending.

Now we have eight-year legislators who qualify for a stipend retirement after brief service and who apparently do not care or share your and my concern for the long-term solvency of the retirement funds. I believe the teacher retirement fund in Missouri considered to be sound financially.

But still, any retirement fund, whether private or public must have increased contributions to maintain solvency. With the unfornutate reduction of funds flowing to state, county and municipal governments, it appears that the employees must be asked to contribute more, or expect less.

Ask your legislator for a brief summary of the financial picture for LAGERS and the Teacher
Retirement Program in Missouri. I'll bet you a dime to a donut that only two of the area legislators have a clue, being Wasson and Lampe.; 3/09/2011 4:07 PM
Busplunge said...: Anon 4:07--

BINGO!

Part of the problem in Missouri is term limits.; 3/09/2011 4:16 PM
Anonymous said...: 4:07 - good deal.

My point is this. Renegotiate, yes. Pull the plug on retirements (let's face it THAT is the Republican plan) no.

Those teachers in WI offered to pay more for retirement and health care. The fight is over the Republicans taking away the teachers right to negotiate contracts --- it is pure and simple, union busting. THATs the Republican's goal after all.

Wasson is my senator. To imply the others reps and senators are not very bright in these areas is not the fault of term limits. The Republican's bad mouthing term limits today were the same one's cheering it on when it passed years ago. Now that the shoe is no the other foot it's no such a good idea? I think limits are necessary. We should have them in the courthouse, the state house and Congress. No one should ever have to look at Billy Long for 20 years.

Cops, firemen, and other public employees are next. As this economy spirals downhill due to rising gas prices the politicians will go after other retirements and benefit plans.

I look at teachers and think "who among us is next?" I guess we'll wait and see who the Republicans demonize next.; 3/10/2011 10:06 AM
Anonymous said...: You buy a house. You sign a note for a loan (promise to pay)and things go well for several years and you never miss a payment. You lose your job, your planned income (taxes) and are no longer able to make the monthly payments. The mortgage holder (State of Wisconsin)notifies you that something needs to be done or it will become necessary to forclose on the loan. You go to your attorney (union) seeking advice. Meetings are held and it appears there is no alternative to recalling the loan and foreclosing on the home. The attorney (union) refused any plans that did not maintain the status quo. The attorney's (union) suggestion that cutting money from other programs (i.e. Medicaid, education, law enforcement, infrastructure) should occur first.

This problems exists at all levels of government. We are more interested in the 'now' than in the 'future'.

The times, they are a changing.; 3/10/2011 11:01 AM
Anonymous said...: By SCOTT WALKER
In 2010, Megan Sampson was named an Outstanding First Year Teacher in Wisconsin. A week later, she got a layoff notice from the Milwaukee Public Schools. Why would one of the best new teachers in the state be one of the first let go? Because her collective-bargaining contract requires staffing decisions to be made based on seniority.

Ms. Sampson got a layoff notice because the union leadership would not accept reasonable changes to their contract. Instead, they hid behind a collective-bargaining agreement that costs the taxpayers $101,091 per year for each teacher, protects a 0% contribution for health-insurance premiums, and forces schools to hire and fire based on seniority and union rules.

My state's budget-repair bill, which passed the Assembly on Feb. 25 and awaits a vote in the Senate, reforms this union-controlled hiring and firing process by allowing school districts to assign staff based on merit and performance. That keeps great teachers like Ms. Sampson in the classroom.

Mr. Walker, a Republican, is the governor of Wisconsin.; 3/10/2011 11:18 AM
Busplunge said...: "A promise made is a debt unpaid"

Robert W. Service; 3/10/2011 12:06 PM
Anonymous said...: So, bankruptcy is the answer?; 3/10/2011 5:29 PM

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