Budget Battle: Democrats Who Left State are Located ( Wisconsin to Illinois )

WTMJ ^ | Feb 17, 2011

[george76]

Democratic State Senators who protested the budget repair bill by leaving the state have been found.

The lawmakers are in the Best Western Clock Tower Resort in Rockford Illinois.

Law enforcement officials have been looking for at least one Democratic senator to bring in for a quorum required for a fiscal measure, but Democratic Senator Jon Erpenbach confirmed to Newsradio 620 WTMJ that he and all of his Democratic colleagues boarded a bus and left the state.

[Jean S]

My husband just heard on Milwaukee radio that they’ve left the Rockford hotel and are traveling to another undisclosed destination. I’m guessing they’re heading for Chicago.

[Sopater]

According to the Twitter account of Democrat State Senator Chris Larson from Bay View, "For those looking for us, we are right here, standing with the people of Wisconsin."

The people of Wisconsin are in Rockford Illinois with the Democrat Senators? Do they expect ANYONE to believe that?

[righttackle44]

The last group I remember doing this very thing were Communist members of The Supreme Soviet after Yeltsin
beat Gorbachev’s candidate, Ryzhkov, which precipitated the dissolution of the Soviet Union. May lightening strike in the same place.

[RobertClark]

That is what I am thinking too. I bet the Ayers / Obama compound is where they will hold up - we sheeple might find them anywhere else.

[taxcontrol]

I agree 100%. Freeze their state issued phones, credit cards and doc their pay for time away.

[All Blue State]

Clean out their offices.

[All Blue State]

Better yet, allow their constituents to wait for them inside their offices.

[I am Richard Brandon]

Is there anything else that the pubbies can vote on without the rats present? Seems like an opportunity for some very expedited business to me.

[Logical me]

These RATS have left their jobs and fled to another State. The Governor should declare them in violation of their oath and replace them pending new elections.

[pistolpetestoys]

I live in Rockford and I just got home;I thought I smelled something peculiar.

[VeniVidiVici]

Any bets these freeloading Democrats will submit their expenses for this unauthorized trip for reimbursement by the state of Wisconsin?

[Brilliant]

Figures they’d go to Illinois.

[NoLibZone]

Lets rally there and at their homes!

[Spirochete]

Texas democrats have pulled this exact same stunt a couple of times, in 1979 and 2003.

[neocon1984]

How much would you like to bet that they’re billing the taxpayers for the trip and the stay in the resort?

Thread winner!

I spent a week in Rockford one night. It was not very exciting. (Apologies to WC Fields and Philadelphia)

[bert]

Get Out Of Cheney’s House!!

Tipper Gore still has nightmares of the FReeper chant

[SgtHooper]

Right after a couple of hookers are called in.

[ROTB]

Tyrant: “Spartans, lay down your weapons.” Free man: “Persian, come and get them!”

******

You fergot the part where the spear hits the mark. :)

[antivenom]

I have MORE fun.... Get a few thousand people to mail a fish to the hotel in an overnight package... Not against the law to mail a fish... In fact REQUIRE a signature! Mailing servies will deliver because YOU paid them to deliver...even funnier use the US post office and FORCE that group of lazy bastards to join the cause!

OVERNIGHT A DEAD FISH TO THE HOTEL IN CARE OF THE RUNAWAy RATS!!!!!!!!

the old addage...unwanted guest and smelly fish.....

[PapaBear3625]

Is there anything else that the pubbies can vote on without the rats present? Seems like an opportunity for some very expedited business to me.

Yes they can, which is why I don't think the pubbies are serious. For non-appropriations bills, they only need a majority, not 3/5ths. For Senate Rules changes, they need 2/3 to pass, but only a majority quorum.

There's got to be a way to word the "no union dues deduction" as a non-appropriation bill.

For that matter, making Wisconsin a "Right to Work" state could be done with a majority quorum.

But I think the Republicans just want to posture for the Tea Party, while getting an excuse for not actually passing anything that would enrage the unions.