Breaking: Wisconsin's Walker to absent Democrats: 24 hours to return

Reuters ^ | Feb. 28, 2011 | David Bailey

[rockinqsranch]

“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.

[Nervous Tick]

>> 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.

[Buckeye Battle Cry]

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.

[for-q-clinton]

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.

[Netizen]

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’.

[netmilsmom]

LOLOL!!!
That would kill two birds with one stone.
Killing the union’s hold on education AND actually educating the kids!

[for-q-clinton]

And to be barred from serving in elected office anywhere in the state of Wisconsin for 200 years.

[technically right]

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.

[MNlurker]

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.

[who knows what evil?]

Better yet. Say since the PUBLIC school system has failed the people of the state and it’s our duty to educate all the children of the state...we are now authorizing vouchers for kids impacted by the public union teacher work stoppage. If your child has been impacted and would like to go to private school please pick up your voucher today.

Outstanding! A great opportunity to improve those 'reading skills', as well.

[Truth29]

$165 million is coffee money to the unions and the Obama front groups like Organizing for America when the fight is about much more than Wisconsin. The left intends to stop the spread of any attempt to reign in public employee collective bargaining rights or benefits in other states. If Wisconsin suffers, let it be a lesson to the state GOP. We really have to learn to fight these domestic terrorists.

[MrB]

I wonder if they can vote on and pass a voucher system without a quorum...

would it be considered a budget item?

[Cheerio]

Walker is standing tall just like my Governor in AZ.

[McGruff]

I've heard that if a state declares bankruptcy all it's union deals are null and void (or something to that effect). JUST DO IT.

[Netizen]

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.

What day did they leave? We need a silent countdown, so they don't get wise.

[ken5050]

I actually hope the Dems stay out..The bond restructuring is a financial matter, and as such requires a legislative quorum..which means they need ONE Dem in the Senate. And of course, while the Dem is sitting in the Senate, they can move thebill to curtail collective bargaining and increase the pension and medical payments for state employees.

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

[mquinn]

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?

[Carling]

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?

[Carry_Okie]

Great time to institute a voucher system.

[MortMan]

The rumor would be treated as if it were true.

Perhaps he should just come out and deny the rumor? ;-P