Faced with an $8 billion budget deficit, Ohio Gov. John Kasich (R) is on the verge of signing a bill that would prevent state employees from using collective bargaining to negotiate their health and pension benefits. Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) has pushed a similar bill, which has drawn national attention, spawned weeks of protests, and sent Democratic lawmakers fleeing the state as a way to stall its passage.
Two other GOP governors facing major budget crises – New Jersey’s Chris Christie and Michigan’s Rick Snyder – have made it clear that they don’t see restricting bargaining rights as the key to more austerity. Texas, North Carolina, and Louisiana face major budget deficits, and in those states public employees don’t have collective bargaining rights.
To what extent is collective bargaining to blame for out-of-control state spending? Is clamping down on the ability of public-employee unions to negotiate an important tactic for closing what may grow to a combined $125 billion gap in state budgets next fiscal year?
Reason.tv’s Nick Gillespie sat down with the Heritage Foundation’s James Sherk to talk about what collective bargaining means to the bottom line of states.
Approximately 5.30 minutes. Camera by Jim Epstein and Joshua Swain, and edited by Epstein.
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I didn't hear a word Mr. Sherk was saying because I couldn't stop staring at his hairpiece. 😉
I'm from NC and what we have here is a good ole boy network, The state has been run by the democrats since reconstruction ended and the patronage jobs are out of control , the nanny attitude is oppressive, and all the public employees keep their friendly neighborhood democrat in power therefore the payback is still going on without collective bargaining. Mish has the right Idea, end Davis-Bacon and the correct number of public employees should be close to zero.
@theshaggyshow I know it, man. I wasn't making fun of him, just saying that it's shitty timing that he gets camera time during an outbreak. I'm not judging anybody.I have no idea if I have Herpes or not (never had a reason to think I did) but if I don't, it's only thanks to sheer luck.
@ssstealth Reason only carries sideburnitus. 🙂
@englanddg Wow, you're a humorless, bitter little pill. No, I'm not using it against him…I agree with him and I subscribe and I gave a thumbs up. But it's nice to see you how far you jump in speculation when you read a comment that was made only because it's clear and present. Tell me (and be honest) that you didn't feel bad for Sherk as you watched the interview. It was horrible time and I was just pointing out my empathy. I'd hate to have a camera on me during an embarrassing time.
@Thorbie Well done
I liked it, Nick you kick ass…
@yakyakyak69 Exactly unions are BS. I was way over qualified for a job I applied for which was in a closed shop. The employer wanted to hire me but couldn't. Why because I didn't belong to the union. Go to join the union and the union wouldn't let me join because I didn't have the job. It is the catch 22 run around used to support nepotism and kickbacks in unions. I like being in a right to work state for all I care unions and rot in hell.
@AshillaBeige I know they can afford expensive cameras an office studio and not a the $ 4 for some concealer to cover over a cold sore. So typical of a male dominated organization they simply don't notice these sorts of things. I wish they would get a clue and realize that superficial negative perceptions can take away from the discussion.
@neonshoji I had that pretty bad once. Started developing in the mid-'90s and peaked my sophomore year in college. I grew a full beard out a few years ago to hide it but the nightmares still haunt me *shudders*
what a joke
…MAKEUP!
Pretty shallow interview. They should have just given Sherk the camera and told him to talk about whatever he wanted, that's all it was anyway.
This libertarian think tank propaganda has been brought and paid for by Koch Industries. STOP THE PLUTOCRATS AND THEIR CRONY GLOBALIST AGENDA TO PRIVATIZE THE GAINS AND TO SOCIALIZE THE LOSS. Save America and our democracy by saying NO to the Koch Brothers and their race to the bottom! AMERICANS EVERYWHERE HAVE WOKEN UP TO RESIST THESE TRAITORS TO THE CONSTITUTION!
@1MeanBean I still cannot find any single bad thing the Koch bros have done. I can see how stuff they've said you don't like. And yep they've provided funds for organizations as well, in those cases I can't even find those organizations are terrible, just they advocate things and push things that you may not like.
So what in the world have they done thats so terrible? Please show me some source.
down with koch
its called cover up man,
Of course we do. They are open about being biased towards the "libertarian" view (small l, they aren't connected to the Libertarian Party, you can see this at the Reason Foundation's FAQ). Biased doesn't mean inacurrate. As for balance, you have to look at multiple sources yourself. The libertarians are better than conservatives & liberals because they're the only group promoting individual liberty & free markets. Please let go of your Two-Party System, it's harming the people of America.
Thank you!!!!!!!!
No, it’s a conservative being interviewed by a libertarian. I don’t see how libertarian = Nazi. How is promoting less government and more individual liberty the same as more government and less liberty? You do know that the Koch brothers give out tens (sometimes hundreds) of millions of dollars every year for education, medical research, and charity, right? Or do you only count it as charity if the government takes it from them and gives it to another? What is evil about having sponsors?