Senator Mary Lazich Will Vote for Budget Repair Bill

State Senator Mary Lazich plans to vote for Governor Scott Walker's budget repair bill when it comes before the legislature, possibly later this week.

"The senator understands that the bill asks a lot of public employees," said Ben Voelkel, a spokesperson for Lazich. "But there are not a lot of good options out there, and this budget is a step forward in fixing the financial hole that state finds itself in."

In response to the charge that the bill weakens unions, Lazich disagrees Voelkel said, pointing out that unions won't be abolished, but these are tough financial times.

"Unions can still bargain wages," he said. "But when we're looking at a $3.5 billion shortfall over the next two years, hard sacrifices have to be made."

Under Walker's proposal, unions that represent public employees like teachers and municipal staff will no longer have the authority to negotiate benefit levels like health insurance and pensions. Unions would retain their ability to bargain wages.

Anna Wendt, chief negotiator and co-chair of the United Lakewood Educators - Muskego union, is a 5th grade teacher at Lake Denoon Middle School in Muskego. She asserts that Walker's bill could negatively impact school districts attracting and retaining talented teachers, thereby impacting children's lives.

Voelkel said the senator does understand the bill will change the way things are done, but knows that because Wisconsin is a great place to live, work, and play good teachers will still choose to teach in schools across the state.