Wisconsin Protests Continue as Dems Leave State to Stall "Budget-Repair" Vote

Appleton West High School students protest in support of their teachers on Thursday, Feb. 17, 2011. Teachers and labor supporters swarmed entrances to the Senate chambers at the Wisconsin Capitol Thursday in an attempt to stop lawmakers from passing a bill that would strip most public employees of nearly all collective bargaining rights.

/ AP Photo/The Post-Crescent, Sharon Cekada

Updated at 7:15 p.m. ET

Intense protests continued in Wisconsin today as Democratic state lawmakers stalled a vote on Gov. Scott Walker's highly controversial budget bill, which would strip most public workers of nearly all union bargaining rights.

Walker's "budget repair bill" faced imminent passage in the Republican-led legislature today, but Democratic state senators decided to flee the state in a "boycott" of the vote, depriving the state Senate of the quorum needed to pass the bill. Republican lawmakers said they called the police to bring the Democratic senators back to work, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

"I think they're all out of state. I am anyway," Democratic state Sen. Tim Cullen told the Journal Sentinel.

State Sen. Jon Erpenbach said the lawmakers had been in Rockford, Ill., according to the Associated Press, but have since dispersed. They're still outside of Wisconsin, however.

Walker urged the group of Democrats to come back and called the boycott a "stunt," the AP reports. "It's more about theatrics than anything else," he said, predicting they'd be back within a day or two.

Democrats were "not showing up for work," Wisconsin Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald said in a press conference today, according to the Journal Sentinel. "That's not democracy. That's not what this chamber is about."

Walker's proposal would require state workers to pay for half of their pension costs, and it would more than double their health care contributions. It would strip public worker unions of their ability to negotiate pensions, working conditions or benefits. Any wage increases would be tied to the Consumer Price Index, and unions would lose their ability to have dues deducted from state paychecks. The changes would apply to all state workers except police, firefighters and state troopers.

The changes are part of Walker's efforts to deal with the state's $137 million 2011 budget shortfall, as well as the state deficit, which swells to more than $3 billion over the next two years. The cuts to benefits would save the state nearly $330 million through mid-2013, according to the Journal Sentinel.

"The bottom line is the state's broke," Walker said on Fox News on Tuesday. "What we're asking for... is a small fraction of what most of our workers in the state our doing... We think that's a reasonable way to balance the budget without raising taxes."

Walker said today Democrats could offer amendments to the bill, but he added he will not concede on the issue to end most union bargaining rights, the AP reports.

Protestors to Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker's bill to eliminate collective bargaining rights for many state workers demonstrate in the rotunda at the State Capitol in Madison, Wis., Thursday, Feb. 17, 2011.

/ AP Photo/Andy Manis

The proposal has left Wisconsin's 175,000 public workers furious, prompting massive protests. Schools across Madison and other parts of the state were closed Wednesday and Thursday after teachers called in sick to show their opposition to the measure. Those teachers, other union workers and their supporters have converged on the state capitol this week to protest.

Madison police and the State Department of Administration said the crowd at the capitol was at its largest today, the AP reports, with about 25,000 people protesting. After the state Senate convened Thursday morning, the legislative body was disrupted by protesters in the gallery shouting, "Freedom, democracy, unions," the Journal Sentinel reports.

Some, including President Obama, perceive the move as part of a greater Republican effort across the nation to vilify public workers and unions.

"Some of what I've heard coming out of Wisconsin, where you're just making it harder for public employees to collectively bargain generally seems like more of an assault on unions," Mr. Obama said in an interview Wednesday with local television station WTMJ-TV. "And I think it's very important for us to understand that public employees, they're our neighbors, they're our friends... And I think it's important not to vilify them or to suggest that somehow all these budget problems are due to public employees."

Walker said on Fox that he's not trying to vilify public workers.

"This is not to say we do not have good and decent people working in state government," he said. His plan, he said, "is bold and big when it comes to politics, but I think ultimately pretty modest when you compare to where people are in the private sector today."

In a statement today, U.S. House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) praised Walker, and like-minded Govs. John Kasich of Ohio and Chris Christie of New Jersey, for "daring to speak the truth about the dire fiscal challenges Americans face at all levels of government."

Their solutions, he said, "will liberate our economy and help put our citizens on a path to prosperity."

Boehner said he was "disappointed" in Mr. Obama for his response to the conflict in Wisconsin.

[rocketjl]

The blackmail power of unions - 'Schools across Madison and other parts of the state were closed Wednesday and Thursday after teachers called in sick to show their opposition to the measure.' So, 175K state union workers are demanding that 5.6M state citizens continue to pay them higher and higher wages, plus extras, or they will shutdown public services. What's up with that? The public wants services and pays for it. The workers demand more or we will shut down everything. Time to get rid of those workers and any illusion of power against the people, they may try to exert.

[gep1955]

I heard the union rep tell the crowd, "its not the teachers fault that we're in this mess". No, but it is the fault of the corrupt politicians they helped vote into office that created the mess, isn't it? Promising everything under the sun to get elected. Funny how campaign promises never include the phrase, "vote for me and you'll get what you want even if it means bankrupting the state so that your kids will be taxed at 60% of their income to pay for it".

The union members should be ashamed of the Dem senators that left the state. What little girls they really are. And these are the guys YOU voted in? Pathetic cowards.

[gep1955]

Yes, it is union busting. Why would a business or a gonernment continue to allow its employees collective bargaining when they will certainly use it to continue to bankrupt the state. The list of things government has expected the taxpayers to fund is a mile long. The taxpayers have had enough. Remember when we would all chuckle about watching road crews fixing holes. One guy with a shovel and six guys standing around watching. Its not funny anymore.

[rocketjl]

Lord, was I shocked when I had to start paying $10,000 for a $2,000 car. Then I found out union workers could be laid off or on strike for years and get high pay during the out period. Folks would be down on the river fishing for years with high pay checks. Now, when they have no work, they must sit in an empty room for 8 hours. Unions are great???

[Rodeo_Joe]

Walker's $ 140 million for special interests, but Unions get "Arbeit macht frei".

Like the protester said, "Fox lies".

[john20112010]

I have to agree with goverment. Too many public workers feel like they don't need to make compromises. I have been out of work for 18 months. I would have taken a 10% pay cut to keep my job. Which part of NO MONEY don't they understand. I would love to see how many of these people were the same to vote againt tax increases. Can't have both.

[jimbom121]

Do some research before you post. The union aleady agreed to the financial part. They object to having collective bargaining taken away...which is alos known as Union Busting. Walker inherited a budget surplus of 124m and blew it.

[forsanity1]

From the article above: (you ill informed people could have READ it!)

"Walker's proposal would require state workers to pay for half of their pension costs, and it would more than double their health care contributions. It would strip public worker unions of their ability to negotiate pensions, working conditions or benefits. Any wage increases would be tied to the Consumer Price Index, and unions would lose their ability to have dues deducted from state paychecks. The changes would apply to all state workers except police, firefighters and state troopers."

________________________

So how did you come to think their health care was 100% paid for? This article doesn't give the numbers, but I believe the pension payments may have been zero, or quite small. This SHOULD be remedied.

But not by removing the ability to NEGOTIATE now and in the future!

That is dictatorial and not part of the American way of governing. Period.

This Governor is overstepping the will of the voters, you will see this as the people of Wisconsin get more facts about him -- they will not be happy with the decision 1.1 million of their numbers made for them.

The ones that didn't vote got the government they deserve, for sure -- but it doesn't mean they can not correct their irresponsibility.

[forsanity1]

An example of the misinformed and fact free among us here:

__________
by jgg000101 February 18, 2011 12:04 PM EST
hmmm, I'd say working 192 days per year, having your healthcare and pension completely paid for, and having total job security once you become tenured is a pretty big seat at the table.

_______________

Ignorance is not bliss. It is actually damned annoying. These people vote. Damn.

[jgg000101]

funny how you don't refute anything I stated, but instead try to insult me. Good job!

[DaisyDk]

I am a taxpayer and I am happy the teachers are getting cuts. Now let us move to the FEDERAL GOVERNMENT employees and their benefit packages, why do government employees have unions and us peasants don't. HMMMMMM. I don't get a pension nor does my husband, we have to save for our old age retirement along with health care. I wish I had some taxpayers to fund my retirement or hey work 25 years and opt out on retirement like the Federal workers. Who wa. I am just angry as hell!!!!! Maybe the peasants should come out and demand pensions and health care in force.

[realist51]

hey daisy join or start one then see how the corporate mach comes down on your backside. and why don't you get a pension or your husband? if you get a 401k its a pension plan. you had an opportunity for health care. it was called a public option but that was thrown out to try and get some input from the republicant's thank them. as a matter of fact thank them for what you don't have because that,s what their trying to do to the rest of america all the while they get it and you don't. jump on that boat and see how far it gets ya.you forgot to mention to why is it all right for all the executives and such at your company to get said benefits and that's ok. if you want better, get off your lazy buns and get a better job. "SO BE IT"

[mjoseph1958]

Plain and simple, Republican leaders plan on breaking the unions nationwide to considerably improve Republicans' chances in winning the 2012 Presidential elections and beyond. As MSNBC clearly described it last night, the Republicans and their corporate funded-groups like Freedom Works plan to remove any major obstacles preventing Republicans and their ultra-rich corporate friends from running the country.

Obviously, Republicans aim to convert our nation into the "United States and Corporations of America" (USCA)

For a clear explanation of the Wisconsin governor's actions, watch:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908/

[34sender]

Oh, so you know every voter in Wisconsin?

Wow, you are amazing. Amazingly transparent in your embrace of propaganda. Do you feed at YOUR favorite TV network? Undoubtedly, a yes.

[rightbehind]

Shut the government down no matter how long it takes and drag the republicans out into the streets!

[34sender]

Oh chevy, STOP!

You supported the tea party protests, with all that heated rhetoric and guns at rallies... your hypocrisy truly is amazing.

And how about the voters that voted in the 111th Congress in 2008? You sure thought they had no rights. You decided opinion polling trumped that election (see: health care reform debate, etc) and "the people" (being people of your mindset ONLY) had a right to speak.

I do not advocate violence -- maybe the GOP will be in the street looking at all the new GM cars... could be? -- but neither do I agree with telling lies in order to inflame people politically.

[sjc_1]

No dragging required, when the seniors miss a check, they will drag them over the internet.

[Zann-Zel]

by rcht2370 February 18, 2011 9:41 AM EST
yup drag all the repubs out in the streets,, only bad thing for you is your liberal assss and the rest of your cronies dont believe in guns while the majority of my buddies do. Who do think owns more?
-----------
Don't count on that either! Some of us so called "liberals" DO believe in guns! ; ) Just somethin to think about.

[rightbehind]

I'm a liberal and proud of it. I own and believe in the right to bear arms to! You would be smart not to tread on me! Sleep tight!

[Zann-Zel]

That idea that "all liberals want to take your guns away" is only a Myth started by republicans to get you to vote for them! We had Clinton for 8 years - I still owned guns...we've had Obama for 2 years and so far I still have my guns! I'll keep mine...you keep yours...but don't for one second think you and "your buddies" have some stronger advantage in our constant debate! LOL!