22nd
What to watch for in politics Tuesday Feb 22, 2011
STATES VS THE UNIONS
The budget standoff in Wisconsin enters its eighth day of protests today as the Wisconsin Senate gets back to regular business with or without 14 missing Senate Democrats who left the state in protest of Republican Gov. Scott Walker’s “budget repair” bill. Public sector unions in Wisconsin have agreed to contribute more to their health care and pension benefits, but oppose Walker’s plan to limit public unions’ collective bargaining rights to pay and other measures that they say is a blatant attempt to break up unions in the state. Wisconsin Senate Republicans have threatened to schedule a vote on requiring people to show ID at polling stations — a policy abhorred by Democrats — as an inducement to get the senators back to Madison.
Meanwhile, protests shifted to other states, including Indiana where on Monday thousands of private union members protest a bill advanced by Gov. Mitch Daniels and Republican lawmakers to diminish collective bargaining rights. At least 5,000 protesters will also be out in Columbus, state capital of Ohio to oppose Gov. John Kasich’s efforts to reduce the collective bargaining rights of public sector unions - similar to Wisconsin.
Be on the lookout for any polling on “Governors vs the Unions.”
CAPITOL HILL BUDGET FIGHT
In Washington, the Senate is in recess this week ahead of a March 4th showdown over a $61B public spending bill passed by House Republicans. Failure to reach agreement by that date will result in a federal government shutdown. Most expect a compromise to be worked out in which a temporary stopgap bill (or “continuing resolution”) is adopted to continue funding government at current levels with some, but not all of the adjoining spending cuts desired by Republicans. The final number is key.
POTUS
Obama heads to Cleveland, Ohio along with members of his cabinet to speak with small business leaders in the state. Watch for any soundbites on the looming 2011 federal budget battle or if he weighs into the current “collective bargaining debate taking place in the Buckeye state. On a Milwaukee TV station last week, Obama called some of Gov. Walker’s efforts an “assault on unions.”
CHICAGO MAYORAL RACE
Voters head to the polls in Chicago. Rahm Emanuel needs 50% to avoid a runoff.
2012
On the 2012 front, two potential GOP candidates — John Thune and Newt Gingrich have said they will make decisions concerning their presidential futures by the end of the month — next Monday. Watch out for potential exploratory committee announcements. Gingrich thought to be the more likely of the two to run.
Huckabee begins 41-city book tour to promote “A Simple Government” which hits book shelves today. Says he will use the tour to test his financial and organizational support ahead of a 2012 decision.
