News

State Budget Challenges and Opportunities

WEBINAR: State Budget Challenges and Opportunities

Monday, December 14^th, 7:00 pm

Jon Peacock & Tamarine Cornelius of the Wisconsin Budget Project will give us a presentation on Wisconsin's state budget. These experts analyze our state's budget and tax system, and will have some new thoughts about what to look for in the FY21-22 state budget decisions. Although Gov. Evers won't formally present his state budget proposal until February 16th, the outlines are already shaping up. How can state employees help create a state budget that meets our needs and priorities and those of the public? Will new leaders in the Joint Finance Committee -- and a starkly new pandemic context -- make this spring's legislative budget negotiations different than in the past? Will the Governor wield his veto pen to good effect?

This presentation is sponsored by State Worker Power & the Association of Career Employees. Also see the Wisconsin Budget Project's new website https://www.reimaginewisconsin.org/ for three principles for an equitable economy in Wisconsin.

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEvdeispzguHdQpYNtnqo2jgpBylZO9WEJI

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Labor History in the School

October 14, 2020 -- The Wisconsin Labor History Society is offering cash prizes for winning essays on "Unions have been important to my family and my community because ..." Note the deadline is February 15, 2021. See the flyer.

GOTV

Labor Get Out the Vote Virtual Rally & Phone Bank.

Saturday, October 17, 2020

Noon – 4:00 p.m.

Stephanie Bloomingdale, Mark Pocan & Josh Kaul.

Flyer

Wisconsin State Employee Power

September 29, 2020 -- Join us for the September meeting of the Wisconsin State Worker Power* series, where we discuss the movement against racism and how workers (and particularly us as public employees) have a key role, and a need, to be involved.

The meeting will take place via zoom:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86723159782

Meeting ID: 867 2315 9782
One tap mobile
+16465588656,,86723159782#

Wisconsin State Worker Power is a group of state employees (and friends) discussing issues affecting state workers and what we can do about them.

WiARA Power Lunch

September 29, 2020 -- The Wisconsin Alliance for Retired Americans (WiARA) will be holding its annual Power Lunch on October 12. This year, it will be a virtual meeting. See the flyer for more details.

Flyer

New Executive Board, 2020-2022

August 30, 2020 -- No one was nominated for the following positions: President, Vice-President, Recording Secretary, and Communication Secretary.

Without opposition, we elected Jaime McCarville as the Membership Secretary, Ed Berry as the Treasurer and the at large council members of Jeff Richter, Melissa Heinz, Johnny Widdicombe, Scot McCollough, D. J. Dixon and Barb Smith (a little uncertainty as whether there are 5 or 6 at large delegates). Mike Sadler is District #8 delegate unless a special election is held in that district. Jamie will do the work of the Communication Secretary along with the duties of the Membership Secretary. This group will decide the fate of the unfilled positions.

Social Security 2100 Act

August 25, 2020: In a recent Zoom Conference with Congressman Mark Pocan arranged by the Wisconsin Alliance for Retired Americans (WiARA), we learned that the House of Representatives have prepared a bill to strengthen and protect Social Security.

The effort was led by Representative John Larson. The bill would increase the cap for payroll taxes to $400,000, set a minimum benefit level and more. The bill hasn't been introduced yet and is awaiting Speaker Pelosi's determination of the right time for introduction.

For more details, go to https://larson.house.gov/social-security-2100

The COVID-19 Pandemic and State Employment

WPEC and WSP (Wisconsin Science Professionals) requested a meeting with Malika Evanco, Administrator of DOA's Division of Personnel Management, to talk about the pandemic and its impact on state employees. Below is a statement they gave to DOA at their first meeting in June.

AFT-W SEC Statement