Journal Sentinel: Madison — The Senate abruptly passed a controversial budget-repair bill Wedneday night - without Democrats - and sent the measure to the Assembly, which is expected to pass it Thursday.
The bill eliminates almost all collective bargaining for public workers.
It passed18-1, with Sen. Dale Schultz (R-Richland Center) casting the no vote. None of the 14 Senate Democrats was present.[...]
But late Wednesday, a committee stripped some elements from the bill that they said allowed them to pass it with a simple majority present. The most controversial parts of the bill remain intact.
The Senate abruptly sent the budget-repair bill Wednesday to the committee of legislators from both houses at about 4 p.m. and the committee convened at 6, taking action within minutes.
The Assembly earlier had passed the original measure and now must take up the version from which fiscal matters were removed. [MORE]The Wisconsin Senate Republicans should have taken this route two weeks ago when it became quite clear the the AWOL Democrats were not going to return. This would have saved weeks of protest and certainly would not have allowed the left to sway public opinion.
The Assembly must vote on the new bill tomorrow. Between now and then I fully expect the left to raise all kinds of hell in a futile attempt to stop it. Should Wisconsin Republicans succeed in curtailing public employee's collective bargaining options, and survive doing so, then expect these measures to catch on like wildfire across the nation. This is why I also suspect that the left is going to make sure maximum chaos insures after the vote.
Via: Memeorandum
Via: Journal Sentinel Online
Posts
11 comments:
Rush said two weeks ago that this was the route they should take....Gov. Walker has a state to run..... and the democrats have abdicated their constitutional responsibility. He should be fining them $1000/day instead of a mere $100/day - then if they stayed away long enough, the budget would be balanced and the democrats could take credit for it!
Walker waited 3 weeks for those fleebagers to come back. It's about time they moved forward. It's looks like the Wis GOP tooka step out of nancy Pelosi's and Harry Reed's book. Reconciliation anyone? You should switch on MSNBC for the crying about stripping away 50 yars of civil rights in 18 minutes. These guys are reaaly funny. Scott Waler for president!!!
Wisconsin happenings are a national test case for future political moves. The water is being tested for more to come from Republican Governors of other states. If the citizens accept this situation, then as Boehner spoke, "So be it!"
"The Wisconsin Senate Republicans should have taken this route two weeks ago when it became quite clear the the AWOL Democrats were not going to return. This would have saved weeks of protest and certainly would not have allowed the left to sway public opinion."
You hit the nail on the head there ABC.
I think part of the problem was, a lot of the good old Reps were not comfortable being confrontational with their Dem opposites in Wisconsin for silly issues like money, or tax payer's concerns.
So they were in fact hoping all this would go away and go on with same old business.
In the past, most governors would had given in. But not this time.
2nd Anony.
Firebird:
Rush is right, there is was no need for the Senate Republicans to have waited. Once the Democrats fled, they should have enacted harsh penalties and then go about the people business. Waiting on turned public opinion against them.
Sam:
The wait was completely unnecessary. That nice guy stuff only gets your teeth kick in when it comes to dealing with Democrats.
You betcha this is a page right out of Nancy and Harry's play book. Democrats should not be crying foul now.
Walker for Pres, humm, I think I will wait and see how this all shakes out 4 years from now.
Atlanta Roofing:
Yes this is the test case. Thus far I have to say it has been handled poorly. However, it is being done so early in the legislative cycle that it is hard to tell what the true repercussion will be. Time will tell.
2nd Anony:
I think part of the problem was, a lot of the good old Reps were not comfortable being confrontational with their Dem opposites in Wisconsin for silly issues like money, or tax payer's concerns.
This is a problem for Republicans across the nation. For quite some time now Democrats have been using Street Fighter rules and Republicans still cling to the Marquess of Queensberry rules. The result has always been the same, Republicans get their teeth kicked in.
Thankfully some Republican street fighters are emerging, Palin, Bachmann, Christie, Walker, West. These guys are not afraid and are willing to give as good as they get. Too bad it took the WI Republicans this long to figure that out.
ref abc via anon2: such precision! all well said; also encouraging to see the list and realize that the number of such is growing
I disagree. I think letting this go on for three weeks allowed Wisconsin and the country to see the union radicals, and their Democrat sycophants, for what they are. Taking over the capitol. Running away from responsibility. Acting like aggrieved adolescents. Those scenes are worth the three weeks.
No matter what one thinks, stepping back and looking at how they did this and went around the politicians who refused to show up and do their jobs, is really cool.
It's like a great Chess game.
Post a Comment