U.S. Democrat Senators leave Wisconsin while protests continue against union bill

[News_Editor]

U.S. Democrat Senators leave Wisconsin while protests continue against union bill

2011-02-18 06:10:29 GMT+7 (ICT)

MADISON, WISCONSIN (BNO NEWS) -- Democrat Senators on Thursday left the Wisconsin Capitol to boycott the passage of the governor's union bill while protests continued in Madison, WISC-TV reported.

The Democrats left the Capitol in order to prevent the vote on the legislation proposed by Governor Scott Walker that intends to strip public employees of collective bargaining rights.

The Republican majority sought to pass the bill on Thursday but it cannot be approved unless there is at least one Democrat present. The 14 missing senators were found in a Rockford, Illinois hotel.

Governor Walker called for the missing lawmakers to return as the Senate. Police officers could be dispatched to retrieve the senators but so far no action has been decided as it involves crossing state lines.

"I am calling on Senate Democrats to show up to work today, debate legislation and cast their vote. Their actions by leaving the state and hiding from voting are disrespectful to the hundreds of thousands of public employees who showed up to work today and the millions of taxpayers they represent," said Walker.

White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said that President Obama considers that the bill proposed by the Governor is more like an assault on unions but understands the fiscal challenges and the need to make tough budget decisions.

"The President believes that the best way to deal with this is for people to address these problems by sitting down at the table to collaborate and work out a solution," added Carney.

Governor Walker introduced his union bill last week. He said that the legislation will help close Wisconsin's $137 million shortfall in the state's current budget and a projected $3.6 billion deficit in the next two-year budget.

By eliminating collective bargaining rights, the state would save $30 million by July and $300 million over the next two years to address a $3.6 billion budget shortfall, according to Walker's proposal.

In addition, the legislation also would make public workers pay half the costs of their pensions and at least 12.6 percent of their health care coverage as well. In this way, state employees' share of pension and health care costs would go up by an average of 8 percent.

Meanwhile, protests continued for the third day as the area surrounding the Capitol was crowded by protesters, including teachers, prison guards and others. The building itself was also packed with demonstrators who were chanting pro-union slogans. The session began with only 17 Republican lawmakers.

Wisconsin police estimated that around 25,000 people were protesting and nine demonstrators were arrested. The rallies gathered 13,000 people on Tuesday and 20,000 on Wednesday.

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