The University of Wisconsin-Superior Student Government Association held a special meeting Tuesday night to discuss the recent events surrounding Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker's plans to eliminate collective bargaining rights for state employees.

In an email sent to all University of Wisconsin - Superior students, Student Government President Jessica Duffy announced; "Due to the recent political events regarding Governor Scott Walker's decision on collective bargaining as well as a senate bill regarding voter ID, Student Government will be holding a special meeting tomorrow evening at 8pm in YU 204. Please come share your voice and help us speak up to our local legislators."

Because of the irregular scheduling of the meeting, not enough senators were in attendance to form a quorum. In light of this, Duffy announced that the meeting would instead be an informal discussion of the effects of Walker's proposed budget. More than a dozen students were present and participated. Duffy started the meeting by asking Senator Joe Stensland to review those parts of the governor's budget proposal that would directly affect university students.

Stensland's remarks centered on Walker's unilateral action of stripping collective bargaining rights from teachers and staff at both public schools and universities while asking them to increase their personal contributions to both their health insurance and pension plans. The governor did not speak with representatives of the unions before making this decision, and has talked about use of the National Guard should state employees, such as prison wardens, stage a walkout. Stensland also mentioned that the Secretary of the State Health Department no longer would have to abide by state laws in determining who gets health care benefits.

In the general conversation, it was brought up that these budget measures should result in the prevention of 6,000 lay-offs. State employees would be expected to pay 50 percent of their pension contributions, equaling about 5.8 percent of their pay.  Limited-term employees would be prohibited from entering state health insurance and retirement programs. Another measure would be the authorization of the sale of state-owned heating plants, with the proceeds being directed towards debt reduction. Employee contracts would be limited to one year, with no wage increases except in the case of pay grade change.

Duffy talked about the faculty and staff of UW-Superior just gaining collective bargaining rights four months ago. She relayed a sentiment from a professor who said that this action "will start a race to the bottom. Professors will move to better paying states."

On a related note, Assistant Dean of Students Tammy Fanning announced that the teachers of Northern Lights Elementary School are planning a protest march from the school grounds to the courthouse beginning at 4:15 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 16.

President Duffy will be sending out an email with contact information for elected members of state government, asking that everyone voice their opinion of the budget, both in favor of it and against it. The announced discussion of State Senate Bill 6 concerning voter identification was tabled due to the lack of quorum, and will be held instead on Feb. 28.