Through court action, WEAC has been successful
in limiting the Wisconsin Employment Relations Commission’s interpretation
of “economic issue” under the QEO law.
In a case called Dodgeland v. WERC,
WEAC is challenging the WERC’s narrow interpretation of what constitutes
a “fringe benefit.” This case is now in the Court of Appeals.
In a case called WEAC v. WERC (formerly
the New Berlin case), WEAC is challenging the “cast forward”
method of costing QEO provisions. This case is awaiting a decision in
Dane County Circuit Court.
WEAC is directly challenging the constitutionality
of revenue controls as part of its involvement in a major lawsuit challenging
the current system of school finance in Wisconsin. This case is now
before the Wisconsin Supreme Court.
WEAC has fought in every legislative session
to modify the QEO and revenue controls and has made some significant
progress. As a result of these efforts, any money not used up by fringe
benefit costs under the QEO must now be applied to salaries. Also, significantly,
lane movement is no longer included in the QEO calculations. And revenue
controls have been modified to ease the impact on districts with declining
enrollments and to make it easier to have summer school. Other exemptions
are being debated, including one for school breakfast and lunch programs.
