Posted on 02/28/2011 9:04:47 AM PST by fightinJAG
Reuters) - Wisconsin's Republican Gov. Scott Walker said on Monday that absent senate Democrats have 24 hours to return and vote on a measure to reduce the power of public sector unions or the state will miss out on opportunity to refinance its debt.
"Now they have one day to return to work before the state loses out on the chance to refinance debt, saving taxpayers $165 million this fiscal year," Walker's spokesman Cullen Werwie said in a statement.
"Failure to return to work and cast their votes will lead to more painful and aggressive spending cuts in the very near future," the statement said.
Walker's budget proposal has sparked nationwide protests from labor unions who fear it could be a harbinger of things to come in other states. To balance the state's budget, Walker wants to require public sector employees to pay more for pensions and health care, and to strip their unions of bargaining rights except for wages up to the rate of inflation.
(Excerpt) Read more at reuters.com ...
“Failure to return to work and cast their votes will lead to more painful and aggressive spending cuts in the very near future,” the statement said.”
NOT a threat. Just a simple statement of fact. Cool. Well done Gov. Walker.
>> According to the State Constitution the Senate can compel attendance AND define the punishment for refusing attendance.
Perhaps the Senate should define the punishment for hiding out to thwart legislation as the forfeiture of 100% of the legislator’s pension benefits.
Wisconsin statutes allow the Governor to declare any House or Senate seat to be vacated if the individual elected or appointed to that seat fails to be present at their designated chamber for 30 days or more.
And yet another great idea.
That should make them go wild. Plus it would be interesting to see how the people of those democrat districts would vote now. If they returned a bunch of rats we’d be in the same situation (Sort of). I guess they could swear them in and then immediately have a vote. Or if htey never showed up to be sworn in...they could declare a quorum since no one is even in that seat.
It’s already starting to look like empty threats, on his part. They called his bluff. Of he isn’t going to do anything, he may as well ‘fold’.
LOLOL!!!
That would kill two birds with one stone.
Killing the union’s hold on education AND actually educating the kids!
And to be barred from serving in elected office anywhere in the state of Wisconsin for 200 years.
Actually I thik Gov. Walker is playing this pretty cool. His message has been the same, he refuses to get nasty, he always starts out by praising Wisc. govt. workers yet all the time he knows he holds the best cards with threatened layoffs. And, if push comes to shove I believe the Senate can always attach the union stuff to some other non-finance bill and get that much passed.
Recall meetings are already taking pace. There was a meeting in Green Bay this weekend for the District Senator up there. Americans for Responsible Government here in WI(been very successful recall State politicians at all levels) usually get around 50 volunteers showing at a recall organization meeting.
400 showed.
People are pissed :)
Constitutionally I think Walker can do more, but his way of handling this I think is really working.
Outstanding! A great opportunity to improve those 'reading skills', as well.
I wonder if they can vote on and pass a voucher system without a quorum...
would it be considered a budget item?
What day did they leave? We need a silent countdown, so they don't get wise.
But by refinancing this debt, Walker is also kicking the can down the road in order to save jobs..Why...the state government is too big..Lay them off
Sounds like that will be the way forward for Walker to get rid of these clowns, then. How many days have they been absent so far?
Won’t the Dem senators have to pay taxes to the state of Illinois for the days they are spending there? They have been working via the phone and offering amendments via the phone. Shouldn’t they have to pay Illinois taxes for working in that state?
The rumor would be treated as if it were true.
Perhaps he should just come out and deny the rumor? ;-P
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.