The primary concern of some political leaders is protecting the interests of the very wealthy-at the expense of working families. If we don't use our membership strength to build political strength, we can't hold lawmakers accountable for protecting our rights or supporting issues important to working families.

If our efforts to improve our profession are limited to bargaining union contracts, politicians at the behest of employers can simply rewrite the rules or laws that govern bargaining. These laws affect our ability to bargain over workload issues such as class size, class load and prep time. Some in the state legislature have sought to take away your right to bargain over health care. The method for resolving contract disputes is determined by state law. If the parties fail to reach a voluntary settlement, employer's hold the upper hand through their ability to impose the qualified economic offer (QEO). WEAC has sought to replace this with binding arbitration.

Our legislative issues often coincide with those of students and parents. To find out the names and contact information for your State legislators, simply go to www.legis.state.wi.us. To locate the name and contact information for your US Congressional Representative go to www.house.gov. Your two US Senators are Russ Feingold and Herb Kohl and may be contacted at www.senate.gov. School district expenditures that determine the scope of educational opportunities afforded children, class sizes, local control over school budgets, a district's ability to offer non-core courses and extra-curricular activities are but a few of the issues we have in common. Our ability to secure adequate funding for these and other issues is determined by our legislative action and politics.

That's why WEAC encourages members to be politically active. Take the time to educate yourself about the issues on the WEAC website at www.weac.org. Help your Association build cooperative relationships with parent and community groups. If we don't speak up for our priorities, who will? We must work in our communities to make the issues that are important to working families widely known. We need to register to vote and go to the polls on Election Day.

Host a House Party

Make a Financial Contribution

Write a Letter to the Editor

Let Us Know About Events in Your Community

Volunteer in Our Office

Contact Us!

Phone: 608.259.9519

Mailing Address:

Linda Clifford for Justice P.O. Box 2003 Madison, WI 53701-2003

Madison Campaign Office:

16 N. Carroll St, Suite 340

Check out our website at www.lindacliffordforjustice.org for more information.

Most of us understand that the Wisconsin Supreme Court wields a great deal of power and influence in our state. But what does this really mean for WEAC members, children and public education?

Consider this: In the last 10 years alone, the following issues have been before the court:

• The constitutionality of Wisconsin’s school aid formula.
• The union’s right to bargain and protect contractual benefits. Public employee privacy rights.
• Family medical leave rights.

Now, one of the justices who was appointed to the court by former Governor Tommy Thompson, Jon Wilcox, is retiring. The election to succeed him is April 3. This creates a great opportunity to shift the balance of the court more in favor of working people and public education.

Through our candidate screening process, WEAC has recommended Linda Clifford in the election. She has more than 30 years experience as a leader in the legal community, has solid bipartisan backing and has earned recognition for her strong integrity and ethics.

A former Assistant Attorney General, Linda is the only candidate who has argued a case before the Supreme Court. She will stand up for the rights of consumers and working people, and she is a big supporter of public education, as demonstrated by the following quote:

“I believe a child’s right to a sound, basic education is a fundamental right. The Wisconsin Supreme Court should uphold this right and make sure all children are given the education they need to be successful.”

-- Linda Clifford

Please remember to vote for Linda Clifford for Justice on April 3. It means a great deal to the future of our great schools.

Racine Journal Times - EDITORIAL - March 5, 2007 - Judge's conflict of interest muddies high court race. Read more

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Editorial - March 6, 2007 - Judicial candidate Annette Ziegler should have withdrawn or given the parties that option in cases involving a bank where her husband is a board member. Read more

The Post Crescent - March 12, 2007 - THUMBS DOWN – To state Supreme Court justice candidate Annette Ziegler, for skirting the state judicial ethics code. Read more.

The Janesville Gazette - March 12, 2007 - Analysis: Ziegler owns stock in companies whose cases she heard. Read more.

News Channel 7 - March 12, 2007 - Ziegler’s Stock Ownership Raising Questions. More.

WKBT, LaCrosse - Analysis: Ziegler owns stock in companies whose cases she heard. More.

WBAY - Analysis: Ziegler owns stock in companies whose cases she heard. More

WEAU - Analysis Raises Questions About Cases Presided Over By Ziegler. More.

This election includes the important election for State Supreme Court. If you are a member of WEAC, see the information from WEAC on Candidate Linda Clifford.

This election may occur during your district's Spring Break. If you wish to apply for an absentee ballot, a request form for the ballot may be found at: elections.state.wi.us.

After filling out the on line form, submit it to your municipal clerk. A link to municipal clerk addresses is found below.

Important dates related to submission of absentee ballots include:

First day municipal clerks can conduct absentee voting is March 12

Last day by mail someone can ask for an absentee ballot is March 29

Last day someone can request an absentee ballot in person at clerk's office is April 2.

Instructions for completing absentee ballots may be found at: < ahref="http://elections.state.wi.us" target="_blank">http://elections.state.wi.us.

Register to vote by down loading a Wisconsin voter registration form found at: http://elections.state.wi.us.

After completing the form, send it to your municipal clerk. Addresses for your municipal clerk may be found:

https://secure.jsonline.com.

You may register on Election Day. Here are the instructions for doing so with respect to voter identification and proof of residence:

http://elections.state.wi.us.

We support the leaders who will stand for our issues. And, to ensure that they do, we must hold them accountable ­every day for improving the lives of working families.