TPA and QEO: Legislators should learn from mistakes instead of repeating them
WEAC President Stan Johnson issued the following statement about the news that some Wisconsin legislators want to essentially expand the Qualified Economic Offer law to include all public employees, and make it part of the state Constitution:
"Supporters of the latest TABOR proposal, the so-called Taxpayer Protection Amendment, have said that if their proposal passes it will be like local school district 'revenue controls on everything.' Now they are looking to use the TPA to impose a Qualified Economic Offer-type restriction-the law that has undermined teachers' collective bargaining rights since it passed in the state budget in 1993-on all public employees.
"Under the QEO, Wisconsin teachers' salaries have fallen approximately 10% below the national average, and an untold number of talented young people who would have chosen to teach Wisconsin's children have instead chosen other states or other professions because they have been encouraged to believe that teaching is no way to make a living in Wisconsin. That is a losing proposition for everyone who lives and works in Wisconsin, because great schools depend on great teachers and staff.
"Now some legislators want to extend this losing proposition to all public employees and encourage those who would work in public service to rethink their career choices.
"Schools, fire stations, police departments, conservation authorities, health and safety providers, and all crucial public services need to be able to compete for talented employees. Compensation is part of that equation, and everyone knows it.
"If legislators want to eliminate the public sector and stop providing public services, they should say so. They should debate taxing and spending decisions in the light of day, as part of the public record, and face the consequences with their constituents. As with TABOR and TPA in general, attempting to put the QEO in the state Constitution is disingenuous, irresponsible and reckless fiscal policy."