Must-reads for today: Two fantastic op-eds by PSI contributors on the results of the recall election in Wisconsin. The first by Steven Malanga on RealClearMarkets.com shows that there's implications for other states - like Illinois:
Scott Walker decided not to hide from his state's fiscal woes, and he spent the last year fighting for his political life as a result. Illinois' lawmakers have been hiding from their budget plight since the downturn began, and they ran away from pension reform again last week to avoid a fight with the state's government unions. But today it's Walker's Wisconsin that is the better for his battle.
In Politico, Michael Allegretti takes a deeper look into how Walker changed the game by reshaping the narrative:
Shortly after the recall was announced, he established three clear criteria on which the relationship between public workers and taxpayers should be evaluated: equity in employment benefits and burdens between public and private workers; the preservation of core government services for all Wisconsinites; and--linked to both these goals--the improvement of the Badger State's economic competitiveness.
There's a new fiscal reality for states and municipalities. As states fight to get back on track, Walker is now the de-facto model for what can - and needs - to be done.
Join the conversation