Wis. Dems Could Stay Away for Days

WIFR TV ^ | 2-18-11 | WIFR TV

[bigbob]

A leading Wisconsin senator who fled to Chicago with fellow Democrats says they could stay out of Wisconsin for days or even weeks.

Senate Democrats are boycotting a vote on a bill that would strip public sector workers of their collective bargaining rights. Click here to find out more!

State Sen. Jon Erpenbach of Middleton, Wis., is staying at a downtown hotel and expects to stay for days.

He says there's no fixed date for Democrats to return although he hopes it's soon. He says returning when the Legislature is in session could give Wisconsin state troopers the chance to force their return.

Erpenbach says Democrats met at a resort in Rockford, Ill., Thursday. Some decided to go to Chicago and others stay nearby.

Erpenbach says he's spending his own money to stay at the hotel.

[bigbob]

I guess Rockford should say thanks for the boost to local hotel, food, and booze providers. And if it follows the Texas situation, before long, the hookers will benefit too.

[Titus Quinctius Cincinnatus]

So are these guys livin’ it up in this Chicago hotel on the taxpayers’ dime?

[montag813]

Can these traitorous bastards be expelled, impeached, docked pay, ANYTHING? Who knows the rules?

[PapaBear3625]

They need at least one Senate Dem to make a 3/5ths quorum needed to pass appropriations bills.

Passing legislation making Wisc a right-to-work state would not be an appropriations bill, and could be passed with a simple majority quorum, and a simple majority vote of those present.

Let the unions and the Dems chew on THAT.

Don’t expect it, I don’t think the Republicans are really serious, and are just posturing to look good for the Tea Party.

[screaminsunshine]

Chicago must be the Communist Capital. Send in the Marines to take it back. It is held by the Obama Cong.

[Lazamataz]

A leading Wisconsin senator who fled to Chicago with fellow Democrats says they could stay out of Wisconsin for days or even weeks.

Make it years, and we can strike a bargain.

[Virginia Ridgerunner]

He says returning when the Legislature is in session could give Wisconsin state troopers the chance to force their return.

So, he's admitting that they are fugitives?

[FromLori]

Well then Gov. Walker should find a way to fire them and...

GOP might not need Democrats to pass controversial legislation

http://www.wisconsinreporter.com/gop-might-not-need-democrats-to-pass-controversial-legislation

[cranked]

Like a coward who leaves his post on the front lines....they should be tried for treason and shot. =.=

[Loyal Buckeye]

I would think their living expenses would have to be on their own dime — no per diem and no campaign funds. That will take its toll on these deadbeats at some point.

[AU72]

That tactic can be a 2 way street but we’re talking about Republicans taking off their gloves.

[Keith in Iowa]

They’ve abandoned their elective offices. It needs to be legally declared as such, and elections need to be held to fill vacancies as soon as legally possible.

[kcvl]

Sen. Jon Erpenbach - ‘We’re winning the public debate’

Far from the din of Capitol protesters, Sen. Jon Erpenbach, D-Middleton, ate pancakes with his aunt and uncle at a hotel restaurant here Friday morning, taking a call from MSNBC and texting fellow Democratic legislators between family talk.

At one point as he ate, the televisions all around him played an interview he’d taped earlier with CNN. But none of the other diners in this city of media celebrities seemed to notice or care.

His anonymity remained safe, although his uncle, a retired Chicago pharmaceuticals salesman also named Jon Erpenbach, couldn’t help spilling the beans to a few people.

More Here

All of the Senate Democrats are currently in Illinois and are planning to meet as a group at an undisclosed location later Friday, Erpenbach said. He said at least six Republican senators are struggling with whether to vote for the bill.

“I know what they think about labor. They support labor,” Erpenbach said. “They support collective bargaining. So this is a really difficult situation for them.”

“We certainly think we’re winning the public debate on this,” Erpenbach said. “People understand this isn’t about money, it’s about stripping collective bargaining rights, and that’s unsettling to them.”

[CharacterCounts]

A leading Wisconsin senator who fled to Chicago with fellow Democrats says they could stay out of Wisconsin for days or even weeks.

B.S.

They all have other business to attend to in Wisconsin. They will start trying to sneak back in under the radar.

When they do, the Gov simply needs to grab one and drag him back to the legislature and this whole thing will be over.

[scooby321]

No they don’t want the public voting on any rasies that are above the CPI ( because they all know the Government is cooking the books on CPI.)

[Raebie]

The Governor needs to start publishing school makeup days so his constituents can see how this is going to effect them personally.

Buh bye spring and summer break.

[Bernard Marx]

This is the oath of office administered to a Republican elected to state legislative office. I assume it's the same for everyone:

“I, ____ having been elected to the office of State Representative for the __th district, swear that I will support the constitution of the United States and the constitution of the State of Wisconsin, and will faithfully and impartially discharge the duties of said office to the best of my ability. So help me God.”

I don't know what exact laws apply but it seems to me the fleeing Democrats are guilty of dereliction of duty in failing to discharge the duties of their office.

[antiRepublicrat]

He says returning when the Legislature is in session could give Wisconsin state troopers the chance to force their return.

In other words, they're running from the police. Don't we call such people fugitives, and jail them when they are finally apprehended?

[Windcatcher]

Non-bill Liberty Agenda:

1. Concealed carry
2. Right to work
3. 70mph speed limit
.
.
.

[Frantzie]

Yup. Let em stay for weeks. The unions will probably pay for it or Hussein’s slush funds.

The WI GOP should start writing wish list bills to CUT so when the Dems eventually come back they really have to pay.