Why Your Support Matters

Remember: Wisconsin’s Act 10, officially known as the 2011 Wisconsin Act 10 or the Wisconsin Budget Repair Bill? If Judge Lazar is not elected, I guarantee Act 10 is a goner.

What is Act 10? The bill was introduced by Governor Scott Walker in response to the state budget deficit. When was the last time we heard of a Budget Deficit in Wisconsin? Democrats are working overtime trying to spend our Budget Surplus.

What did Act 10 do? Act 10 limited the collective bargaining rights of most public employees in Wisconsin. While police, firefighters, and state troopers were largely exempt, most other public sector workers—including teachers and state employees—could only bargain over base wages, and not over benefits, working conditions, or other employment terms. The law required public sector unions to hold annual recertification votes to remain recognized as bargaining units. Additionally, it prohibited the automatic deduction of union dues from employee paychecks, making it harder for unions to collect dues. Act 10 mandated that public workers contribute more toward their pension and health insurance costs, which had previously been largely covered by the state or local governments. Act 10 helped reduce the state’s budget deficit by decreasing government spending on employee compensation.

Act 10 saved taxpayers nearly $40B. When is the last time a public employees' union went on strike, holding our state and communities hostage when negotiating union contracts? Public service employees were asked to contribute to their own retirement, and toward their health insurance, just like employees in the Private Sector. Wisconsin became a RIGHT to WORK state.

Early and absentee voting start soon. Go to myvote.wi.gov and request your ballot today. #BankYourVote – don’t regret not voting. Vote for Judge Maria Lazar on April 7.