Labor & Employment Law

Walker Now After Senior, Low-Income Health Care

By Mike Hall

After lining up Wisconsin?s public employees and middle class jobs in his sights, Gov. Scott Walker (R) is shifting his aim to seniors and low-income families.

His proposed budget would make huge cuts in the state?s Senior Care prescription drug program, the BadgerCare health plan, and the Family Care?s support services for the elderly, as well as tax relief for low-income workers and property owners.

Yesterday, activists with the Wisconsin Alliance for Retired Americans condemned Walker?s recent budget proposal. At their 4th biennial convention delegates representing the group?s more than 100,000 Wisconsin retirees unanimously approved a resolution strongly opposing the proposed cuts. They then marched to the state capitol, carrying ?Don?t Walker on Me? signs and delivered the resolution to the governor?s office.

Wisconsin Alliance President Leon Burzynski says ?Not only does Gov. Walker malign public workers, but he also cuts programs that are aimed at those most in need in our state.?

Neither public workers nor these vital programs are to blame for our state?s fiscal challenges, but Gov. Walker is wielding his budgetary ax in their direction instead of getting rid of tax breaks for corporations and the wealthy.

National Alliance President Barbara J. Easterling says:

Just like the threats to collective bargaining, these cold-hearted cuts are the work of powerful, well-financed interests wanting to gain at the expense of those who need help the most.  It is unconscionable to try to balance the budget on the backs of the sick and the hungry

Full post as published by AFL-CIO NOW BLOG on March 22, 2011 (boomark / email).