Politics & Government

Reactions in Caledonia is "Wait and See"

Village board member, highway department personnel and fire department lieutenant are waiting to read the bill's final language.

Without knowing the final language for the amended budget repair bill, the village board is still taking a wait-and-see approach. Likewise, village employees are also waiting for a final version before reacting.

"We don't know what the bill actually says now," said Trustee Tom Weatherton. "Even as a draft, the bill wasn't totally clear, but after the details are released in a couple of days and lawyers have had a chance to look it all over, we'll be in a better position to comment."

Bill Jacoby, a superintendent with the Village Highway Department, said municipal employees are waiting to see how it all shakes out.

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"I think we all need to see the final language before anyone can make any moves," he said. "In any case, most decisions will be made by the board."

Caledonia fire fighters, on the other hand, are planning another visit to Madison this weekend to continue supporting the protestors against Walker's budget repair bill and his biennial budget.

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"The Caledonia Fire Department continues to stand with our union brothers and sisters," said Lieutenant Jason Hempel, who is also the president of the Caledonia Fire Fighters Local 2720. He is traveling to Madison on Sat., March 12 to join the protestors.

Hempel said he believes the fight over public employee unions will not end with the passage of the budget repair bill because the next step Walker and the Republicans want to take is to remove the ability to negotiate salary.

"Anyone who thinks that once the bill is passed and signed that's the end of it isn't seeing the situation for what it is," he said. "It might not happen right away, but the governor and the legislature will reopen this issue and introduce measures to take away the unions' power to negotiate salaries."

But, Hempel added, he thinks the political landscape in Wisconsin is going to change in the next few months as recall efforts get stronger and louder.

"This fight is far from over," he stated. "Voters are going to see a shift toward recall and if that isn't totally successful, I fully believe the Democrats will be poised to take control of the legislature again in two years."

For a first hand account of the situation in Madison after the state senate amended the budget repair bill and passed it, click here.


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