Free Republic

Madison - Law enforcement agencies ran up more than $3.2 million in pay, overtime, mileage, food and hotels while providing security during weeks of protests at the Capitol, according to preliminary numbers compiled by the Journal Sentinel.The total bill is certain to go higher, largely because some municipal police departments and county sheriff's departments have not completed totaling their bills, some invoices are incomplete and costs for some larger law enforcement agencies, including the Wisconsin State Patrol, were not immediately available.

MADISON, Wis. -- A report on damage to the Wisconsin Capitol that came following weeks of protests will not include any estimate of how much any repairs will cost. The restoration expert working on the report told The Associated Press on Thursday that what he submits to the state Department of Administration will only describe the damage done and the number of hours it would take to fix it, not the cost. Charles Quagliana said it will be up to DOA to provide the actual cost of repairs, which could include additional hours of work beyond his recommendation expected Monday....

A DOA spokesman says security hardware on at least seven Capitol windows was "damaged, disabled or removed" between Wednesday afternoon and midday Thursday. Administration spokesman Tim Donovan said there has been no report of window panes broken in the building, but two exterior doors had panels "kicked out." "The damaged, disabled or removed hardware had been in place to prevent windows on the ground floor and first floor from being opened more than a few inches, which has been the normal condition of these windows for about ten years," he wrote in an e-mail. Gov. Scott Walker referenced in a...

Building Access Reminder: Visitors wishing to enter the Capitol will only be allowed to enter through the King Street entrance. Visitors without appointments may need to wait in line until visitors already inside the building leave the Capitol to make room for new visitors. These procedures have been in effect at the Capitol since this morning. --Capitol Police

A Dane County judge this morning issued a temporary restraining order requiring the Capitol to be reopened. The building was under tight security this morning with public access limited. The order from Judge Daniel Moeser requires the Capitol to be open during business hours and "at times when governmental matters, such as hearings, listening sessions and court arguments are being conducted." The AFL-CIO, AFSCME and other unions sued after the Walker administration began restricting access to the Capitol. Moeser's order notes it is in effect until a hearing can be scheduled on the matter. UPDATE: 11:17 a.m. -- The Department...

Hundreds to Risk Peaceful Arrest to Defend Rights MADISON— Continuing his unprecedented power grab Governor Walker ordered the State Capitol cleared on Sunday, closing the building to Wisconsinites protesting his plan to gut civil rights for tens of thousands of Wisconsin's citizens. Dozens of ministers, rabbis, and priests joined workers and students from across the state, risking arrest to protest the closing of the State Capitol to the public. “First Governor Walker tried to take away workers’ rights, now he is trying to take away our Constitutional right as Americans to peacefully assemble,” said Steelworker Roy Vandenberg. “I have a...