MADISON, WI (WTAQ) – Some Wisconsin Senate Democrats are at least considering the possibility of walking out again, like all 14 Democrats did in 2011 in a failing attempt to stop Act 10 from being passed.
However, that might not be possible in the case of the GOP’s right-to-work bill.
The state Constitution requires three-fifths of all senators to be on hand for fiscal votes. But when it comes to the controversial right-to-work measure that’s up this week, the Senate’s GOP leadership has already checked with the Legislative Fiscal Bureau. They expect no fiscal impact, and hence no possibility of a legal walkout by opposing lawmakers.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel says a few Democrats want to see if there’s a fiscal impact, at least so they can keep their options open.
The measure was introduced late Friday by GOP Senate leader Scott Fitzgerald. It prohibits private employers from forcing workers to join unions, or pay union dues as a condition of employment. Most public sector unions already live under that ban as part of the Act 10 bargaining limits.
Organizers say the new bill would not apply to the police and fire unions that were exempt from the Act 10 limits 4 years ago.
Late Monday morning, the state AFL-CIO is holding what it calls a “solidarity” news conference to rally against the right-to-work bill. There’s also a late afternoon protest planned in Milwaukee, and a State Capitol rally Tuesday — when a public hearing is planned on the measure.
(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)
