Workers rally in Lansing to support Wisconsin unions, attack Snyder's plan to tax pensions

By Cindy Heflin Associate news director

Posted on Sat, Feb 26, 2011 : 4:48 p.m.

Virg Bernero

Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero was among speakers who rallied a crowd of about 2,000 union members and supporters at the Michigan Capitol in a show of solidarity with Wisconsin's public employee unions today, the Detroit Free Press reported.

The rally at noon was among similar demonstrations held today in all 50 states and endorsed by more than a dozen organizations, including the political action group MoveOn.org. Wisconsin workers are in a battle with Gov. Scott Walker over a proposal to strip them of collective bargaining rights. Thousands of Wisconsin workers filled streets in Madison again today to oppose the bill, The Associated Press reported. Rallies have been going on for 12 days.

In Lansing today, some speakers attacked Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder's plan to tax pensions and cut business taxes, the Free Press reported.

Snyder, an Ann Arbor businessman, defeated Bernero to win the governorship in November.