Wisconsin-Report

Wisconsin Election Watch: AFP-WI Spokesman James Flath “Said That The Organization Supports Right To Work
With No Exemptions For Trade Unions Especially In The Construction And Manufacturing Industries.” According
to Wisconsin Election Watch, “Wisconsin Election Watch talked to Americans for Prosperity regarding which version of the
right to work legislation they would support. Wisconsin Chapter Spokesman James Flath said that the organization supports
right to work with no exemptions for trade unions especially in the construction and manufacturing industries. AFP’s stance
on right-to-work is the same as National Right to Work and Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce. The two organizations
have previously told Wisconsin Election Watch that they oppose any exemptions in right to work legislation.” [Wisconsin
Election Watch, 1/15/15]
AFP Urged People To Send Letters To Their State Legislators To Tell Them “To Support Right To Work” In
Wisconsin. According to a form letter on the Americans for Prosperity website, “The Wisconsin legislature is on the verge of
passing right to work! But we need your help to be sure it passes! No employee should lose their job because they refuse to
join a union. Wisconsin is one of the last states where unions can force employees to pay dues against their will but with your
help, we can make it stop! Fill out the form below and send a letter to your state legislators: tell them to support right to
work!” [AmericansForProsperity.org, Accessed 2/23/15]
Fladeboe: “Tonight, We Congratulate The Wisconsin Senate For Standing Up For Workers All Across Our Great
State And Finally Passing This Long Overdue Legislation.” According to a statement from AFP-Wisconsin State
Director David Fladeboe, “Tonight, we congratulate the Wisconsin Senate for standing up for workers all across our great
state and finally passing this long overdue legislation. Right-To-Work will create thousands of jobs and guarantee that no
worker will ever be denied a job for refusing to join a union. This bill is about choice, freedom and creating more
opportunities for working class families. We look forward to the Assembly passing this common sense legislation in the
coming days.” [Americans For Prosperity Wisconsin Press Release, 2/26/15]
• AFP-Wisconsin: Legislators Who Voted In Favor Of Wisconsin’s Right-To-Work Bill “Have The Appreciation
Of The Chapter’s More Than 125,000 Activists, Staff And Volunteers.” According to a press release from AFP-
Wisconsin, “The Wisconsin chapter of Americans for Prosperity has been a long-time advocate of right-to-work
legislation and was a major player in marshaling support for the policy. Over the past few years, the organization has
actively engaged the legislature and organized citizens through a wall-to-wall effort that included radio, digital and social
media content, phone banks and more. Legislators who voted to pass the bill have the appreciation of the chapter’s more
than 125,000 activists, staff and volunteers.” [Americans For Prosperity Wisconsin Press Release, 3/6/15]
…An Effort Backed Up By Several Koch-Backed Groups…
Mercatus Center
According To Mercatus, Wisconsin’s Labor Market Freedom In 2011 Was “Mediocre” Because They Lacked Right-
To-Work Legislation. According to the Mercatus Center’s FreedomInThe50States.org, “Wisconsin’s labor market freedom,
occupational freedom, health insurance freedom, and liability system are mediocre. It is not (yet) a right-to-work state, but has
avoided mandating a minimum wage above the federal average or requiring employers to buy short-term disability insurance.”
[FreedomInThe50States.org, accessed 2/2/16]
• Mercatus Center Recommended That Wisconsin “Pass A Right-To-Work Law.” According to the Mercatus
Center’s FreedomInThe50States.org, “Policy [Recommendation]: Pass a right-to-work law, whenever political conditions
so allow.” [FreedomInThe50States.org, accessed 2/2/16]
ALEC
Center For Media And Democracy: In 2015, Wisconsin “Became The 25th Right-To-Work State With The Passage
Of A Word-For-Word Copy” Of A “Cookie-Cutter” ALEC’ Bill.” According to the Center for Media and Democracy’,
“Cookie-cutter ALEC right-to-work bills popped up in several states this year. In March, Wisconsin became the 25th right-towork
state with the passage of a word-for-word copy of ALEC’s bill. ALEC right-to-work bills were proposed in New
Hampshire, Missouri, New Mexico, and West Virginia, while Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner (R) simply issued an executive order
to establish right-to-work for public sector workers and filed a lawsuit seeking to have ‘fare share’ fees declared
unconstitutional.” [Center for Media and Democracy, 6/7/15]
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