It All Comes Down To This: Wisconsin’s Recall Vote
Today's recall election in Wisconsin represents the "culmination" of a political firestorm that began when Gov. Scott Walker proposed ending most state workers' collective bargaining rights and requiring them to pay more for health insurance and pension benefits as a way to address the state's budget shortfall.
The Associated Press/Washington Post: Wisconsin Holds Recall Targeting Gov. Scott Walker After More Than A Year Of Political Turmoil
The recall effort against Walker began bubbling last year, shortly after the rising Republican star took office. Just a month into his first term, Walker took the state by surprise with a proposal to effectively end collective bargaining rights for most state workers and pay more for health insurance and pension benefits as a tactic to deal with the state's budget shortfall. The proposal created a firestorm of opposition, and protests drew tens of thousands to the state Capitol (6/5).
USA Today: Wisconsin Gov. Walker Recall Vote
The recall election is the culmination of a bitter battle that began in February 2011 when Walker announced his plan to erase a $137 million budget shortfall in part by requiring state workers to give up collective-bargaining rights and pay more for health insurance and pension benefits (Keen, 6/5).