Beyond the Hedges

2/17/11 6:00pm

National

Wisconsin Senate considers anti-union billLawmakers in Wisconsin are looking to pass a bill that would eradicate nearly all of the collective bargaining rights of government workers.The bill would also mandate that public workers pay half of their pension costs and at least 12.6 percent of their health care coverage costs. These proposed changes would save the state approximately $300 million in the next two years and at least $30 million by this July. Wisconsin is currently facing a $3.6 billion budget shortfall and hopes to solve its budgetary problems with this bill, which has been called the "most aggressive anti-union bill in the nation". On Wednesday, approximately 20,000 protesters gathered in the statehouse as part of a demonstration while more than 40 percent of the teachers in a Madison school district union called in sick, forcing the district to close for the second day in a row.

Source: The Washington Post

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Consumer prices increase

For the seventh consecutive month, U.S. consumer prices have risen due to simultaneous rises in energy and food prices. Fuelled by the rising cost of petrol, which have increased by 13.4 percent in the past year, energy prices have increased by 2.1 percent while food prices have increased by 0.5 percent. Core consumer prices have increased beyond analysts' predictions, providing additional evidence that inflation is likely to become a growing concern. Notably, despite the rise in overall consumer price index figures, prices in the automobile industry and the medical care industry have decreased. The Federal Reserve has stated that sharp increases in commodity and energy prices will alter its initial predictions for the expected levels of inflation in 2011.

Source: Financial Times

International

Civil unrest in Bahrain, Libya

Protesters in Bahrain and Libya were active this week, eliciting violent reactions from their respective governments. Tanks and troops filled the streets of Bahrain as riot police attacked the protest camp, which has been pushing for political change, in a pre-dawn assault. Many of the Shiite protesters were sleeping as the police came in with tear gas and clubs. The island nation's Sunni government unleashed this heavy crackdown after several days of passive response. In response to the anti-governmental upheaval by the Shiite majority, the military has announced a ban on gatherings. Meanwhile in Libya, protesters have been looking to overthrow Moammar Gadhafi, who has been the de facto ruler of Libya since 1969. Gadhafi came to power through the means of a military coup and has been the longest serving ruler of the country thus far. Anti-Gadhafi marches took place in four Libyan cities this Thursday while allegedly hundreds of pro-government demonstrators have gathered in Tripoli, the capital of Libya. Inspired by the success of the uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt, protesters have been using social network sites like Facebook and Twitter to organize themselves. In response, Gadhafi has proposed doubling the salaries of government workers and releasing over 100 suspected Islamic militants.

Source: Associated Press

Egyptian Presidents steps down

After weeks of highly publicized protests, Hosni Mubarak finally stepped down as President of Egypt a week ago. In a televised statement later that night, a military spokesman praised Mubarak for his actions and contributions during his nearly 30 years of rule. The Egyptian military has promised that it will not attempt to serve as a substitute for a real government. Praising the protesters that lost their lives in the anti-Mubarak demonstrations, the military has pledged to take steps towards addressing the people's needs. The protests against the former Egyptian president began around January 25 and were known for their use of social media.

Source: The Washington Post

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