Contact: Bryan Kennedy – (414) 517-3864
(Milwaukee) – Wisconsin gubernatorial candidate Matt Flynn today made the following statement criticizing a recent proposal to reduce the salaries of Wisconsin’s state legislators.
“Why is a Democrat adopting Scott Walker tactics on wages?
“This week saw a proposal from one of my Democratic opponents to lower legislator pay to match that of a starting teacher in Wisconsin. This is a Walker-style tactic to pit the public against their own elected officials.
“Since Scott Walker took office, his mission has been to drive down wages in our state. With Act 10, so-called Right-to-Work legislation, ending Prevailing Wage, and refusing to raise the minimum wage, Walker has put a cap on wages. The median wage in Wisconsin, adjusted for inflation, is lower now than it was under Governor Jim Doyle.
“Walker has pitted private sector workers against public sector workers. Now, a fellow Democrat proposes to use the same divide-and-conquer tactics to pit the people against their representatives. I disagree.
“We need a Governor who will lift wages in Wisconsin. We need someone who will repeal Act 10 and Right-to-Work, bring back Prevailing Wage, and raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour. We need someone who will put in place policies to make everyone do better—not drag everyone down.
“I get it—this was an election year stunt, much like Governor Walker’s recent property tax stunt. But Wisconsinites don’t need political stunts. They need higher wages.
“Teachers should have their starting salaries raised, and repealing Act 10 will enable bargaining for wages, hours, and working conditions to make that happen.
“Furthermore, legislators should be full-time public servants. If legislator pay is lowered, only the wealthy will run for office because only they can afford to serve part-time for little pay.
“Wisconsinites are tired of suffering from stagnant wages, and where people work two or three jobs to make ends meet. We have to get rid of the divisions that pit neighbor against neighbor. Democrats’ goal is to raise everyone’s wages, not to lower them.”
