Why Recalling Filner Matters

Some Republicans have privately told me that they are sitting out the effort to recall Mayor Filner, saying it makes little difference to governing San Diego and that the GOP might be better off if Filner drags down Democrats.  I wholeheartedly disagree. Exhibit A is the July 30 ordinance requiring a "prevailing wage" for city contracts for public works and maintenance efforts.

As a taxpayer, I want to get the most out of each dollar that goes out on contract.  Since the "prevailing wage" law increases the cost to the city, how is this in my benefit?  It is not, and no amount of arguing about the "social benefits" of a "prevailing wage" will convince me otherwise.  As long as the unions call the shots, the cost of local government will go up until we can't afford any public services at all, see Detroit.  The left wing web site Media Matters took the U-T editorial board to task for saying the "prevailing wage" will only increase city costs by $13 million not the $26 million claimed.  When even the left acknowledges that costs will increase, you know this is a bad bargain for taxpayers.

Is there any doubt that this bill passed only because Bob Filner is mayor?  Is there any doubt that he will push organized labor's agenda at the expense of the taxpayer as long as he remains in office?  The "prevailing wage" law isn't grounds for recall, but it adds impetus to the effort because the mayor's actions have legitimately opened the door to such a campaign.

Wisconsin Update - The Battle Against our Union Overlords Has Been Joined

Wisconsin has become ground zero in the battle over outsized union pay scales for state and local government workers. The latest developments have been widely publicized, with Wisconsin State Senate Democrats fleeing to Illinois to avoid posting a quorum that would result in a vote on measures to strip government unions of collective bargaining rights, except over pay. Dean and Temple of Mut have some great coverage, which I will not repeat, so please take a look at their updates. But fleeing the state, when you get paid to do a job?

Meanwhile, in Ohio another front has opened up, where the state Senate is considering SB-5 which would:

- Eliminate collective bargaining for all state workers, including unionized faculty and staff at Ohio colleges and employees of higher education institutions.

- Eliminate salary schedules and step increases and replaces them with a merit pay system.

- Allows public employers to hire permanent replacement workers during a strike.

- Weaken binding arbitration for police and firefighters, who cannot strike.

- Limit a local union’s right to bargain for health insurance.

- Strip teachers of the right to pick their classes or schools.

- Extend the time a factfinding panel for making end-of-contract recommendations from 14 to 30 days.

- Require union employees to pay at least 20% of their healthcare costs.

It's time for the Tea Party to step up and support those lawmakers that are making these changes which will reduce the power of the public employee unions to dictate terms of pay and compensation.

Tea Party types supporting Ohio SB-5.

The unions are out in full force opposing these changes, good to see our side out there as well.

In California, I believe we should go for a ballot initiative to make the same changes. Even if it lost, it would drain unions of needed resources to campaign for leftists in 2012.