Following the success of Scott Walker’s reforms and the resounding defeat of unions, many Governors may enact Wisconsin-style reforms to reverse state deficits. Mitt Romney already said on election night that Walker’s win would “echo throughout the country” and it is very possible Romney may try to harness these economic turnarounds and stump on the reforms in Battleground states and beyond.
The Associated Press identified five states that could see a repeat of the Wisconsin reforms. These states are all either Battleground states or right on the fringe for both campaigns:
States that could see renewed efforts to pass anti-union measures in the wake of Wisconsin’s recall election:
MICHIGAN: Republicans in the state Legislature are eager to pass right-to-work legislation that would limit unions’ ability to collect fees from nonunion workers. Gov. Rick Snyder has discouraged the measure for now, but unions are trying to collect enough signatures for a ballot initiative this November that would amend the state constitution to prohibit right-to-work laws. Earlier this year, Snyder signed into law a measure prohibiting schools from deducting union dues from employees’ paychecks.
MINNESOTA: Republicans want to revive efforts to pass a constitutional amendment to make Minnesota a right-to-work state.
MISSOURI: GOP lawmakers want to pare back mandatory wages on public works projects and halt the perpetual deduction of union dues from public employee paychecks by requiring annual written authorization.
NEW HAMPSHIRE: Last year, Democratic Gov. John Lynch vetoed a bill last year that would have made New Hampshire a right-to-work state. The House passed it again this year, but it died when Republicans realized they did not have a veto-proof majority. House Speaker William O’Brien says he will try to pass the measure again next year, when the state could have a Republican governor.
NEW MEXICO: Gov. Susana Martinez has tried to limit the state’s collective bargaining law. Through legal action, she has won control of a board that oversees public worker contract disputes.
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[...] Although Minnesota unemployment is comparatively low at 5.9%, it has ticked up 0.3% over the last two months and union strong-arming is fast becoming a thorny issue in the state [...]