Missing Wisconsin Democrats set to face $100 per day fine
(CNN) — Wisconsin Senate Republicans on Wednesday voted in favor of a resolution that would fine missing Democrats $100 every day they remain away from the state capital, Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald told reporters.
The measure could also force the absentee lawmakers to forfeit their parking spaces and discretionary spending accounts.
The Democratic lawmakers were not immediately available for comment.
Fourteen Democratic state senators have fled to Illinois to prevent a quorum on a budget bill that would curtail the collective bargaining rights of most public sector workers.
The state senate has to pass a second round of individual resolutions that target each missing lawmaker before the fines will take effect, said Fitzgerald spokesman Andrew Welhouse.
The second vote could take place as early as Thursday and go into effect the following day.