Time to reset state union rules

Whether it be state unions fighting the legislature's furlough savings plan or digging lines in the sand over ways to reduce state health care costs, it is becoming clear that the budget isn't the only thing that needs transformation. It is also time to re-evaluate the so-called 2002 Civil Service Reform that put state unions in the driver's seat and policy makers in the back seat when it comes to certain budget decisions. The 2002 "reform" first took full effect during the 2005-07 biennium. Under the new rules state unions no longer had to have their priorities weighed equally with every other special interest during the legislative budget process. Instead they now negotiate directly with the Governor, while lawmakers only have the opportunity to say yes or no to the entire contract agreed to with the Governor. Lawmakers can't make any changes . . . READ MORE