*** See Update Below ***
Today's (Feb 21st) meeting of the PPLC will be held at Fair Trade Coffeehouse in order to accomodate competing demands for members' presence in these amazing days in Madison. At the Capitol, a political stalemate over the so-called 'budget repair bill' introduced by Gov. Walker has fomented a significant political action unlike any we have seen in WI since the Vietnam War. Each day, tens of thousands of protesters are peaceably demonstrating their anger and intense frustration with the proposals of this bill, most notably the severe restrictions on future collective bargaining rights of public employees. While the Governor has claimed these changes, along with increased employee contributions to health and retirement benefits are essential for government to function in an economically responsible manner, the concerns of most of the demonstrators are that these changes will leave unchecked workers' rights that have been negotiated over the past 50+ years. There are other, less-publicized aspects to the bill, such as increasing the number of governor-appointed employees, reducing the power of the legislature, significant cuts in Badger Care Medicaid programs, the dissolution of regional mass transit systems, and the likely loss of federal aids to urban mass transit because of the lack of a collective bargaining agreement framework.
There are certainly more details to this situation. One challenge for the PPLC to consider is: What are the underlying needs, interests, and concerns of this crisis? How might they be best addressed? It appears to me that had the Governor merely sought to increase the financial contributions of state workers to their benefit plans, only a modest objection would have been raised. Indeed, both the AFSCME and WEAC leadership have publicly stated they would accept such contributions at this point, and the Democratic State Senators who left the Capitol and shut down the process have stated they would accept those changes as a compromise. The deeper issue, substantively, is clearly the loss of workers' rights to a collective bargaining agreement, and the perception that this is an effort to bust the public unions.
As strong as this issue impresses me, the larger issue I see is that the PROCESS by which all of this was introduced appears to be disingenuine, untrustworthy, incidious in its nature and delivery, and the RELATIONAL aspects of this dispute are filled with rhetoric of disrespect. The people who support this bill also feel angry and frustrated: They voted for Walker in order to bring fiscal responsibility to the Capitol, and they support his efforts to bring public employee benefits more into accord with what they view as fair compensation. They are also angry that the Democrats bolted town, and perceive many demonstrators as being irresponsible and unrealistic in terms of what Wisconsin now needs.
At this point, although the 70,000+ anti-Walker demonstrators on Saturday were tested by some pro-Walker voices, there has been a commitment among the demonstrators to be peacable, and relatively respectful in tone... indeed, the Grassroots Leadership College has taken the lead in organizing training in non-violent communication and resistance, and orange-vested peace marshalls abound in the Capitol rotunda to help maintain that peaceful spirit. However, law enforcement is properly maintaining its presence in channeling energy and intervening at any smaller confrontations that arise. Once the bill's fate is resolved, especially if passed, there is definitely potential for the situation to deteriorate.
At the UW, the Chancellor's proposal to gain greater flexibility and independence from the State has taken on some powerful drama, as faculty, staff, and students are split in their opinions. There is also much not yet known about how the plan will shape up. Once again, while there are substantive issues to consider, there are stronger emotional reactions to the PROCESS by which this plan is being advanced and the perception among some that it is going to have serious repercussions that have not been thoroughly discussed in the campus community. There is also a view that, even if UW-Madison should gain increased self-determination and authority, the consequences for UW System would be negative in ways that don't sit well with many on campus.
Enough from me at this point... I'm just attempting to get a few things out there to frame our discussion. These are 'heady times' with lots to consider on both ends of State Street.
***Updated Feb 24th ***
Ten members of the PPLC met on Monday afternoon and had an excellent conversation regarding the events of the past week (now 11+ days) and the possibilities of instilling some of the principles of facilitated, collaborative, participation and engagement into the efforts to address the political, social, and economic concerns of the Budget Repair Bill impasse. A number of excellent ideas emerged, a few of which I highlight here:
1. If we can 'hold the space' with a peaceful, facilitative presence in the midst of all of the polarizing animosity, that will be of service to the greater good. Some examples have already been quite present in the Capitol, ranging from many written reminders that "This is a Peaceful Protest" to groundrules for the Gallery to the non-violence training that occurs every night.
2. While it may not be possible on a large scale, expanding opportunities for "Tea and Coffee Tables" to be present on the Square is a great idea. They are open invitations for dialogue across the political divide and, as has also been stated in the Rotunda, the end of the dispute will not occur with shouting and coercion, but with patient discussion and civil persuasion through insight.
3. Some creative ways to retain the sense of inter-generational festivity were suggested, including the use of street theatre (how about inviting Madison jugglers, or choreographing a 'red' and 'blue' dance?). While some are portraying the thousands in the crowd as an 'angry mob,' there has actually been very little of this behavior thus far. However, that could change if the bill passes and there is an effort to disburse the crowd.
Any efforts to maintain the true intentions of the citizens expressing their concerns beyond the current debate should also consider meaningful opportunities for participation. The economic impacts of the legislation and the upcoming Budget Bill will be signficant, and a shift in workers' collective bargaining rights will have major influences on our communities. As such, creating opportunities to invite people to discuss these concerns and develop creative, effective responses to them may be one of the core opportunities of the Public Participation Learning Community.
Further comments are invited...
