For over three weeks, union members, leaders and activists have converged in Madison to protest Governor Walker's bill to end forced unionism and close major budget shortfalls. Experts have called Madison ground zero for the labor battle that has been heating up all over the country. This weekend additional protests from both sides and efforts to persuade AWOL legislators to come back to the state have once again gained nation headlines.   Continue Reading...

With labor protests continuing in state capitals in Wisconsin and Ohio, many are wondering how the situation will resolve itself with either passed legislation or concessions. Today the Republican-controlled Ohio Senate passed a bill that would end forced unionism and make it illegal for public employees to engage in strikes. Meanwhile, in Wisconsin emergency legislation was enacted to fine senators for each day they boycott the budget vote.   Continue Reading...

For the past two weeks, Wisconsin union leaders and members have gathered steadily in Madison in hopes of pressuring lawmakers to drop a bill that would end forced unionism and aims to close monumental budget shortfalls. With no legislative progress, the war of words is heating up in Wisconsin as some experts are calling this the "death knell" of big labor --yielding commentary by President Obama.   Continue Reading...

This weekend in Wisconsin and state capitals all over the country, union leaders and members gathered together to protest the various bills aimed at ending forced unionism and closing budget gaps. Despite the weeks of protests, news polls are shedding light on who the American people really support in this debate.   Continue Reading...

The labor battle continues to heat up all over the country as Wisconsin, Indiana, Tennessee, and Ohio lawmakers are in various stages of passing legislation that would end compulsory unionism and close budget shortfalls. Despite huge protests, media coverage, attempted filibusters and walk-outs, progress has been made in Wisconsin over the last few hours.   Continue Reading...

The saga continues all over the country as Wisconsin, Indiana, Tennessee, and Ohio lawmakers are all fighting to end compulsory unionism and close budget shortfalls. Despite protests, national headlines and Democratic lawmakers leaving the states in droves, experts are calling this landmark legislation that will change the face of public sector unions for years to come.   Continue Reading...

AAE Executive Director Gary Beckner op-ed as featured on the Washington Times website:   Continue Reading...

Listen Live to AAEAAE Director of Education Policy and 1993 National Teacher of the Year Tracey Bailey will be discussing Wisconsin, Ohio, Indiana, and the showdown between public employee unions and GOP governors during several radio interviews, listen via the streaming links below:   Continue Reading...

As thousands still march in Madison, Wisconsin, the battle for public-sector forced unionism continues. Democratic state legislators have refused to return to the state for a vote and thousands of public employees continue to miss work for protests. While the battle rages on in Wisconsin, both Ohio and Indiana are experiencing similar protests over union-crippling legislation.   Continue Reading...

Schools in Wisconsin are closed, Democratic legislators left the state in protest, and tens of thousands have converged at the state house. This has been the scene for the last few days in a state where Republican Governor Scott Walker has proposed legislation to close a budget shortfall and curb collective bargaining. The protests, uproar, and fallout have gained national attention and have even warranted comment from President Obama.   Continue Reading...

Bad news this morning regarding teacher pensions, so I hope you've had your coffee. A recent study by the Manhattan Institute for Policy Research states that teacher pensions nationwide are underfunded by nearly $1 trillion—three times the estimate of government officials. The difference in estimates is because teacher pensions, unlike their private counterparts, assume a much higher—if unrealistic—return on investment and enjoy more freedom than private pension funds.  Continue Reading...

According to a study by the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research, California public pensions are underfunded by over $500 billion, including the California State Teachers' Retirement System (CalSTRS) and the University of California's retirement system (UCRS).  Continue Reading...