Dems missing from Wis. Capitol ahead of union vote

[WestVirginiaRebel]

Yahoo News:

MADISON, Wis. – Police officers are looking for Democratic Wisconsin lawmakers who were ordered to attend a vote on a bill that would strip public employees of collective bargaining rights.

No Democrats showed up for Thursday's Senate session, meaning a vote cannot be taken. Republicans need one Democratic senator to be present. Calls to Democratic leaders were not immediately returned.

Republicans are pushing the anti-union bill proposed by GOP Gov. Scott Walker. Thousands of people clogged the halls of the Statehouse for a third straight day in opposition.

Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald says law enforcement officers were searching for Democrats after they were ordered to attend the Senate session.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

Protesters clogged the hallways of the Wisconsin state Capitol on Thursday as the Senate prepared to pass a momentous bill that would strip government workers, including school teachers, of nearly all collective bargaining rights.

The nation's most aggressive anti-union proposal has been speeding through the Legislature since Republican Gov. Scott Walker introduced it a week ago. After clearing a major legislative hurdle Wednesday night, it was headed to votes in the Senate and Assembly.

Hundreds of protesters massed outside the Senate chamber on the second floor of the Capitol early Thursday, hours before the planned vote. Republican leaders said it has the votes to pass in both the Senate and Assembly.

The bill marks a dramatic shift for Wisconsin, which passed a comprehensive collective bargaining law in 1959 and was the birthplace of the national union representing all non-federal public employees.
________

The unions are panicking and the hired thugs are out in force.

[mozartlover]

From the "comments" section of my local paper: "Just heard on 620 wtmj that rumor has it the dems are all on a bus that drove out of state..."

[clearvision]

Texas had this same thing happen many years ago.

 

From 1979

State senators elude the Texas Rangers and sting a bill

 

It was one of the most celebrated man hunts in the history of the state. As many as 50 lawmen, including members of the vaunted Texas Rangers, combed the countryside, scanning the sagebrush and cactus scrubland from helicopters, throwing up roadblocks, searching bars, and rummaging through seedy Mexican border towns. For five days the hunt went on while the twelve wily fugitives eluded the long, sweaty arm of the law, even though their mug shots were splashed all across the front pages of the state's newspapers.

 

Finally, after 102 hours of avoiding pursuers, the twelve last week turned themselves in—to the Texas state senate, whence they had fled the previous week.

 

Of course these were dems too.

[Geee]

Obama: Wisconsin is Launching an ‘Assault on Unions’

 

 

Shortly after the state of Arizona began cracking down on illegal immigration, President Obama and company went on the offensive against the state.

Now, with the Gov. Scott Walker taking on unions in Wisconsin, it was only a matter of time before Obama gave his two cents. He has taken the side of the state government unions against Walker’s plan that would force state workers to cover half of their pension contributions and 13 percent of their own health insurance cuts. The plan would also strip government workers of the power to collectively bargain for higher wages unless the public approved it through a vote.

When asked about the public employee benefits cuts in Wisconsin and the resulting union protests President Obama said he saw the cuts as an “assault on unions”.

 

 

http://biggovernment.com/eyeblasttv/2011/02/17/obama-wisconsin-is-launching-an-assault-on-unions/

[clearvision]

President Obama said he saw the cuts as an “assault on unions”

 

That is very vitriolic of him.

[Rheo]

Under Walker's plan, state employees' share of pension and health care costs would go up by an average of 8 percent.

 

Unions still could represent workers, but could not seek pay increases above those pegged to the Consumer Price Index unless approved by a public referendum. Unions also could not force employees to pay dues and would have to hold annual votes to stay organized.

 

In exchange for bearing more costs and losing bargaining leverage, public employees were promised no furloughs or layoffs. Walker has threatened to order layoffs of up to 6,000 state workers if the measure does not pass.

 

Oops, had posted this on wrong thread.

 

Lay them off!

[mozartlover]

They finally showed up. No word on when the vote will start.

 

 

The scene inside the capital rotunda.

[WestVirginiaRebel]

Fox News:

Wisconsin has been wracked with protests and work stoppages as government employees fight a fiscal austerity proposal from new Republican Gov. Scott Walker. Now, President Obama is weighing in against Walker and sticking up for government workers.

Walker’s plan would force state workers to cover half of their pension contributions and 13 percent of their own health insurance costs. Walker would strip government unions of the power to collectively bargain for higher wages unless approved by a public vote. The plan would also end compulsory dues payments for state workers.

Walker has said that if lawmakers don’t agree to his plan, he will be forced to lay off 6,000 of the state’s 170,000 workers.

The reaction has been intense in Madison, which is one of the great strongholds of organized labor and liberalism in the nation. Ten thousand labor activists jammed the state capitol, chanting and screaming at lawmakers. Schools have been shut down as unionized teachers conducted an organized “sick out” and brought their students to join the march against Walker.
________

Obama video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1_EDwz0N6E

It's a bit different from what Obama was saying.

[Casino67]

My.barackobama.com:

Organizing for America blog.

UPDATE: For the past two days, thousands of workers have been gathering at the State Capitol in Madison, WI, to defend their rights in the workplace. From nurses to police officers, public sector workers and OFA volunteers have been protesting against proposed legislation to take away workers' rights to bargain collectively. With a vote on the legislation expected as early as today, volunteers are already gathering at the Capitol this morning. It's going to be a big day in Madison and you can follow updates throughout the day on the OFA Wisconsin Twitter feed.

Organizing for America is mobilizing on the ground in Wisconsin to defend the rights of public employees from an attempt by the governor to take away their right to organize.

Jessie Lidbury, regional field organizer, explains why this is so important:

We’ve got a fight on our hands and it’s personal. Over the past few days serious developments have surfaced of Governor Scott Walker presenting a “Budget Repair Bill” that will essentially gut collective bargaining for public employees here in our own backyard of Wisconsin.

Over the next couple days nurses, teachers, snowplow drivers, prison guards, and public servants will be standing together to let Governor Walker, know what is at stake: livelihoods, heath care, our children's education, and the rights of all workers.

[righteousmomma]

Now, President Obama is weighing in against Walker and sticking up for government workers.

 

 

Well, duuuuh, would we expect anything less??

[WestVirginiaRebel]

Fox News:

Wisconsin has been wracked with protests and work stoppages as government employees fight a fiscal austerity proposal from new Republican Gov. Scott Walker. Now, President Obama is weighing in against Walker and sticking up for government workers.

Walker’s plan would force state workers to cover half of their pension contributions and 13 percent of their own health insurance costs. Walker would strip government unions of the power to collectively bargain for higher wages unless approved by a public vote. The plan would also end compulsory dues payments for state workers.

Walker has said that if lawmakers don’t agree to his plan, he will be forced to lay off 6,000 of the state’s 170,000 workers.

The reaction has been intense in Madison, which is one of the great strongholds of organized labor and liberalism in the nation. Ten thousand labor activists jammed the state capitol, chanting and screaming at lawmakers. Schools have been shut down as unionized teachers conducted an organized “sick out” and brought their students to join the march against Walker.
________

He should have just stayed out of a state matter.

So much for education reform...

[Pepper]

 

He should have just stayed out of a state matter.

 

 

WestVirginiaRebel

 

Give Obama a break. He can't help it Like a fly to dog droppings.

[Rheo]

Washington (Feb 17) House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) today issued the following statement regarding President Obama’s rhetorical attacks on Gov. Scott Walker (R-WI), who has proposed an emergency budget repair bill in Wisconsin to help balance the state budget and give his state the tools to manage its economic crisis:

 

“Republicans in Congress – and reform-minded GOP governors like Scott Walker, John Kasich and Chris Christie – are daring to speak the truth about the dire fiscal challenges Americans face at all levels of government, and daring to commit themselves to solutions that will liberate our economy and help put our citizens on a path to prosperity. I’m disappointed that instead of providing similar leadership from the White House, the president has chosen to attack leaders such as Gov. Walker, who are listening to the people and confronting problems that have been neglected for years at the expense of jobs and economic growth.

 

“According to news reports, the White House has even unleashed the Democratic National Committee to spread disinformation and confusion in Wisconsin regarding the governor’s courageous actions. I urge the president to order the DNC to suspend these tactics. This is not the way you begin an ‘adult conversation’ in America about solutions to the fiscal challenges that are destroying jobs in our country.

 

“Rather than shouting down those in office who speak honestly about the challenges we face, the president and his advisors should lead. Until they do, they are not focusing on jobs, and they are not listening to the American people who put them in power.”

[Chickadee]

“Rather than shouting down those in office who speak honestly about the challenges we face, the president and his advisors should lead. Until they do, they are not focusing on jobs, and they are not listening to the American people who put them in power.”

A M E N !

[mozartlover]

well, now they are saying the dems HAVE left the state.

[Rheo]

well, now they are saying the dems HAVE left the state.

That is what all the news agencies have been saying.

Don't come back!

[Saltbag]

well, now they are saying the dems HAVE left the state.

That is what all the news agencies have been saying.

Don't come back!

 

I'd love to figure out how to get our Dem senators to leave the state, too. That's just amazing they left the state... I couldn't make up a story that ridiculous.

 

I'm hoping and praying they do the job their constituents HIRED THEM TO DO, and make some spending cuts. Watch a few Christie motivational videos, get in there, and do the right thing. Now that the Zero has chimed in, another state thumbing their nose at him would make this all that much sweeter.

 

Meanwhile, Governor Walker is doing this to SAVE all of their jobs. If it were up to me, I'd fire every one of those teachers that called in sick. I heard a snippet on Rush earlier from a caller that kids were protesting outside the schools with signs saying "What about us?"

[Rheo]

Nick Bohr

by mkhammer

Democrat senators found at resort in Rockford. Still there.

 

 

Nick Bohr

Reporter @ WISN 12 Milwaukee since 1994. Marquette University. Major League Sickened-When-They-Lose Brewers Fan.

[Valin]

[Rheo]

Ryan Wrasse

by mkhammer

.@GovWalker to hold 5:45 PM (EST) presser on budget repair bill. #Wisconsin

[Rheo]

Walker: "Show up, debate the bill, offer amendments... but you don't have a debate if you're hangin' out in Rockford."

 

.@GovWalker on Dems skipping town: "More about theatrics than anything else."

 

Walker: "I'm gonna make sure the taxpayers are gonna be heard and their voices not drown out by those circling the Capitol."

[Rheo]

Sen. Erpenbach says senate Dems have left Clock Tower @ Rockford. Says they want to give guv a chance to listen #wiunion

 

RT @MSpicuzzaWSJ: Erpenbach says he doesn't know when he & Senate Dems will return to WI "The only option we had was to do this." #wiunion

[Rheo]

Deranged Democrat senators on a Clock Tower...that is frightening.

~Rheo~

[Rheo]

Wisconsin Senate is adjourned for the day - AP

 

BOLO: 14 morons missing. Terminate their salaries upon capture.

[Pepper]

Rheo

 

Hold

the

Presses! !

Zero

weighs

in.

 

He

shoots,

he

deflects.

 

Obama On Wisconsin Budget Protests: “An Assault On Workers”

 

“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,” President Obama said Wednesday to WTMJ TV “And I think it's very important for us to understand that public employees, they're our neighbors, they're our friends.”

 

 

 

Jeffrey Dahmer was somebody's neighbor, too, from Milwaukee no less. And your point, sir?