Politics

Political & Legislative Action

During election seasons, SCFL delegates meet in special session to interview candidates for office and attempt to make endorsements in county, municipal, school board and state legislative races. To ensure that candidates have broad support, two-thirds of the delegates present must vote in favor of an endorsement. The interview process may also include a questionnaire prior to the interview to learn candidates’ views on issues effecting working people.

Since 1994, SCFL has led a coalition of labor organizations that join forces to target particular races and to elect those candidates through membership education and Get Out The Vote activities such as literature drops and phone banks. SCFL does not have a Political Action Committee (PAC) and does not contribute money to campaigns.

When legislative issues that effect working people arise in public debate, SCFL often takes positions on those issues by majority vote of the delegates. Occasionally, SCFL delegates will approve resolutions stating a detailed policy position, e.g., affordable housing, fair taxation, etc.

SCFL also has initiated its own legislative campaigns such as the Living Wage ordinances passed in Spring 1999 by the Dane County Board and the City of Madison.

SCFL’s political and legislative philosophy is that government should be pro-active for the common good. Helping to elect officeholders who share this philosophy is the best way to enact legislation that implements this philosophy.