Walker says it was all about fiscal prudence, but it’s hard for most to believe partisan factors weren’t at play.
Unions are major political contributors, almost exclusively to Democrats. Unions spent more than $200 million on efforts to get Democrats elected in last year’s midterms. One recent analysis by the Wisconsin State Journal found that over the last six election cycles, unions have contributed $7 million in the state, 93 percent of which has gone to Democrats.
“There’s no question that the political impact of this would be to sharply reduce the campaign contributions that state unions make overwhelmingly to Democratic candidates,” says Franklin. “It would also severely weaken the get-out-the vote efforts that unions are so critical to.”
