Wisconsin Democrats have left the state to avoid a quorum
A source tells NBC15 News that all 14 members of the State Senate are meeting at an out-of-state location to avoid the Senate reaching quorum.
The reason they have left the state is because the Senate has the power to issue a Call of The House, which would send the Wisconsin State Patrol to bring absent Senators in.
The source tells us that the Senators say they understand this is an extreme move, but their feeling is that the legislation is extreme, and they’re doing what they can to slow things down.
Protesters cheer Wis. Assembly Democrats
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin Assembly Democrats are getting cheers from protesters at the state Capitol as they prepare to debate a GOP bill that would strip almost all public sector workers of virtually all their collective bargaining rights.
Republicans control the Assembly, but hundreds of protesters jammed the hallways around the chamber anyway and shouted “Kill the Bill” as lawmakers filed to the floor for a roll call before breaking for party meetings.
Democrats showed up in orange T-shirts that proclaimed they support working families. After the roll call, Democrats on their way out exchanged high-fives with protesters, who cried out “thank you” as they walked by. The protesters unleashed venomous boos and screams at Republicans as they left the chamber.
It was uncertain when debate would actually begin.
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Police officers are looking for Democratic Wisconsin lawmakers who were ordered to attend a vote on a bill that would strip public employees of collective bargaining rights.
No Democrats showed up for Thursday’s Senate session, meaning a vote cannot be taken. Republicans need one Democratic senator to be present. Calls to Democratic leaders were not immediately returned.
Republicans are pushing the anti-union bill proposed by GOP Gov. Scott Walker. Thousands of people clogged the halls of the Statehouse for a third straight day in opposition.
Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald says law enforcement officers were searching for Democrats after they were ordered to attend the Senate session.