Former Gov. Walker Says Local Governments Will Pay for End of Act 10

Scott Walker Warns Democrats

While many Wisconsin Democrats are celebrating the likely end of Act 10, former Gov. Scott Walker says many local Democratic leaders will come to miss the law.

Walker, who signed Act 10 into law back in 2011, on Tuesday told News Talk 1130 WISN’s Jay Weber that Act 10’s collective bargaining changes saved local governments billions of dollars as well.

“Every school board member who's honest is [going to miss it]. Mayor's, county executives, town board chairs, they're in a pickle on this because they've put in place reforms -- not just for tax savings -- but reforms that allow them to operate better,” Walker said.

Act 10 limited public sector unions to negotiating on salaries alone. They could no longer demand pension or benefit bumps. Act 10 also required unions to hold elections, and allow workers to decide if they want to belong to the union.

Walker said that’s what the public sector union leaders wanted changed more than anything.

“This is an early Christmas present for the big government union bosses,” Walker added. “They want more than anything, just the power back. They want the power to control things. They would have sold their members out for whatever amount for healthcare, for pensions, but they really wanted the union dues. And this is the first step down this path.”

Public sector unions in Wisconsin have made no secret that they also hope the liberal-majority Wisconsin Supreme Court also cancels the state’s right to work law.

Still, Walker said there will be immediate consequences to the ruling Against Act 10.

“The people who should be the most upset about this ruling are parents out there, because students in schools are going to get stung by this. As are all the rest of your municipal and county services, and state government services,” Walker explained. “Because under this change the power is going back to the union bosses. They're going to suck money out of the classroom, out of the services, and back to the things that they want to pay for. That'll take it directly away from the services that we become so dependent on.”

Republican lawmakers are promising an appeal, but any Act 10 challenge will eventually end-up before the Wisconsin Supreme Court.

Which is why Walker says next spring’s election for a new Wisconsin Supreme Court justice is so important.