WI Assembly passes budget-repair bill
posted at 8:48 am on February 25, 2011 by Ed Morrissey
The vote came in the weest hour of the morning, and it came so quickly that more than two dozen members didn’t get a chance to cast a vote — mainly Democrats. In the end, the bill that frightened off the entire Democratic caucus in the Wisconsin state Senate passed easily in the lower chamber, 51-17, in what had been a foregone conclusion:
After a bitter, 61-hour debate that was the longest in living memory, the sleep-starved state Assembly voted in just seconds early Friday to approve a watershed proposal repealing most union bargaining rights held by public workers.
Just after 1 a.m., Republicans cut off debate on Gov. Scott Walker’s bill and in pell-mell fashion the body voted 51-17 to pass it. In the confusion, nearly one-third of the body – 28 lawmakers including 25 Democrats, two Republicans and the body’s lone independent – did not vote on the bill at all.
Democrats in the lower chamber reacted in the mature fashion their party has exemplified for the past two weeks:
Democrats erupted after the vote, throwing papers and what appeared to be a drink in the air. They denounced the move to cut off debate, questioning for the second time in the night whether the proper procedure had been followed.
“Shame! Shame! Shame!” Democrats shouted in the faces of Republicans as the GOP lawmakers quietly filed off the floor and a police officer stood between opposing lawmakers.
Yes, shame …. because sixty-one hours of debate is obviously not nearly enough to conduct the state’s business. At least these Democrats remained engaged in the process, though. They may have stalled the bill as long as possible, but they did so within the rules.
The same cannot be said of their Fleebagger colleagues in the state Senate. Minority Leader Mark Miller continued his Irony Tour of Everywhere But Wisconsin with this reaction:
“(Walker) just seems to say he can wait it out and not feel any consequences and be impervious to public opinion,” Senate Minority Leader Mark Miller (D-Monona) said in a telephone interview. “He’s got to realize there’s more to leadership than just demanding your own way.”
Er … like stamping one’s feet and fleeing the state, with the minority refusing to participate and do their jobs unless Walker makes changes to a bill that would easily pass the legislature? That kind of “just demanding your own way” is exactly what the minority caucus has been doing for over a week. If Miller wants to negotiate, the state of Wisconsin has a forum for that: the legislature.
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So the bill is still stalled in the Senate, right? So isn’t the Wisconsin state legislature still stuck until the Senators return or are brought back against their will? Which then begs the question, could we start seeing layoffs occur today?
Doughboy on February 25, 2011 at 8:52 AM
AWOL…
maverick muse on February 25, 2011 at 8:53 AM
Bono provides his comment via youtube.
ted c on February 25, 2011 at 8:53 AM
On items that have a fiscal impact, the Senate is still gridlocked. The layoffs will begin no later than Monday.
steveegg on February 25, 2011 at 8:54 AM
that’s weapons grade snark there Ed. +++
ted c on February 25, 2011 at 8:55 AM
It’s time to pull the union “rights” portion from the financial bill and vote on it separately. No quorum needed, it passes, and Walker still lays off government workers because the fleebags refuse to return. Win-win!
Rational Thought on February 25, 2011 at 8:56 AM
That’s about 60 hours more than the Dems allowed debate in the US Senate over Obamacare.
BacaDog on February 25, 2011 at 8:57 AM
Oh, now THAT is rich coming from the Top Cheesehead-in-Exile….
ted c on February 25, 2011 at 8:57 AM
Man that is RICH- Democrats flee the state and shut down the government while complaining that the Governor “wants to have it all his way”.
These people are either fools or so used to lying that they don’t even realize what they are saying anymore.
Mord on February 25, 2011 at 8:59 AM
They’re Fleebaggin’.
kingsjester on February 25, 2011 at 9:00 AM
It’s time for the Democrat Senators to “Man Up” and return to do their jobs. If I was hired to do a job and left town to avoid doing it, I would be fired. However, I would not leave town anyway. I would never be able to look in the mirror to shave because the a**h**e in the mirror would be laughing at me. If the Senators do not have the stomach to do their jobs, they should resign.
Guest1.1 on February 25, 2011 at 9:01 AM
Proper procedure? You gotta be kidding me. Talk to the 14 Senators who have abandoned their posts to go run away to another state about proper procedure.
forest on February 25, 2011 at 9:02 AM
Legislation–there’s an app for that.
Barnestormer on February 25, 2011 at 9:04 AM
“He’s got to realize there’s more to leadership than just demanding your own way.” said the deserter about his commander.
cartooner on February 25, 2011 at 9:04 AM
Not to mention a whole lot more time than the Rats gave on their last budget repair bill (24 hours from proposal to final passage, no public hearings).
steveegg on February 25, 2011 at 9:06 AM
Can we talk about taxpayer rights now??
NickDeringer on February 25, 2011 at 9:08 AM
Hurray!! Now let’s go after those Dem senators and no holds barred. Start with a little research into their holier than thou backgrounds and just how much they owe to the teacher’s unions combined with their voting records on issues pertaining to the teacher’s unions. Let’s see whose interests they really have at heart.
jeanie on February 25, 2011 at 9:09 AM
Their tears are tasty.
fossten on February 25, 2011 at 9:09 AM
Please stop using the term “fleebagger”. It’s childish, low-class and only serves to legitimize the term “teabagger”, that we have justly denounced for the past couple of years. Also, it’s just really lame. Grow up.
sartana on February 25, 2011 at 9:09 AM
Sandy vag?
fossten on February 25, 2011 at 9:10 AM
Now it’s time to ignore the democrats whining and continue pushing for more. By more, I mean in more places. Democrats have shown they have no integrity and are cowards and don’t want to serve the people.
withmanitisimpossible on February 25, 2011 at 9:11 AM
I think it’s an appropriate term. It sums up what the Democrats have been reduced to and it mocks them for their insulting term that they continue to use to describe members of the Tea Party. I have no problem with conservatives continuing to call them that.
Doughboy on February 25, 2011 at 9:13 AM
sartana on February 25, 2011 at 9:09 AM
Lighten up, Francis.
kingsjester on February 25, 2011 at 9:13 AM
It cracks me up that liberals throw around the word shame. They say “shame on (fill in the blank)” like it means something. How can you call shame when you have none?
Big John on February 25, 2011 at 9:14 AM
How about “lighten up?” One can make salient points while injecting humor aimed ridiculing the very people who used said sexual slur to demean Tea Partiers.
Bee on February 25, 2011 at 9:14 AM
Whenever you direct others to do something, you should offer an alternative. What would you call them?
withmanitisimpossible on February 25, 2011 at 9:14 AM
Please stop using the term “fleebagger”. It’s childish, low-class and only serves to legitimize the term “teabagger”, that we have justly denounced for the past couple of years. Also, it’s just really lame. Grow up.
sartana on February 25, 2011 at 9:09 AM
So you’re the HA ‘hall monitor’ now, are ya?
If you don’t like the term ‘fleabagger’-feel free NOT to use it.
Thanks, Barb the Twerp.
annoyinglittletwerp on February 25, 2011 at 9:15 AM
Whenever you direct others to *not* do something
withmanitisimpossible on February 25, 2011 at 9:15 AM
That should say (D-MORONA)…
Big John on February 25, 2011 at 9:15 AM
I agree with sartana. And why do we have to “call them” anything at all. To an adult, their behavior speaks for itself.
KGB on February 25, 2011 at 9:16 AM
Hey ‘cRATS. what was that line from fearless leader about “elections have consequences”?
ChicagoBlues on February 25, 2011 at 9:16 AM
Okay, how would you refer to them?
withmanitisimpossible on February 25, 2011 at 9:17 AM
BTW: Still crying in my beer about Rham-zilla…I’m leaving this state as soon as I can.
ChicagoBlues on February 25, 2011 at 9:18 AM
So what do you assclowns call it when 14 of your gutless cowardly members decide to book the state instead of stay and do the jobs they were elected to do?
pilamaye on February 25, 2011 at 9:18 AM
Actually, it works. Here’s why. It’s the opposite of a carpetbagger.
Mr. D on February 25, 2011 at 9:19 AM
I’ve found that most often when I read blogs and see “grow up” or “get a life”, it’s usually liberals, or their trolls if on a right leaning forum, that use those phrases.
Big John on February 25, 2011 at 9:19 AM
Good.
Now, if the WI Dems in the state senate refuse to come back today and have a vote on the bill, Walker needs to start sending out pink slips by Monday, at the latest.
Vyce on February 25, 2011 at 9:21 AM
Courage?…nah
Integrity?…nah
Leadership?…nah
Fleebaggin’?…yup
ChicagoBlues on February 25, 2011 at 9:22 AM
Referring to them in a way that accurately describes their behavior is sufficient, isn’t it? The State Senators who have abdicated their elected responsibility, the AWOL State Senators, etc. Isn’t it clear to anyone with half a brain that these are petulant children who think general elections are for other people? Why do we have to incorporate schoolyard names to make that point clear? I think what we’re seeing in the past 2 years is that Americans are tired of being treated like children by our elected betters. So let’s take the lead in acting like grown ups.
KGB on February 25, 2011 at 9:23 AM
The Governor and the Republicans should have handled this the way Princess Nana handled Obamacare, -they should have kept what was in the bill a secret and told democratics that they had to vote on it before they could see what was in it.
Seems to be a strategy that the old media approves of.
slickwillie2001 on February 25, 2011 at 9:23 AM
You don’t have to call them anything. I haven’t. (Well, aside from cowardly imbeciles assisting the continued pillaging of WI tax payers’ wallets.) I just think it’s stupid to nit pick at this point. Focus, people.
Bee on February 25, 2011 at 9:25 AM
Were you called a fleebagger in school? I guess that would explain your hostility to a word.
Ok, from now on fleebagger = The State Senators who have abdicated their elected responsibility, the AWOL State Senators, etc.
It rolls right off the tongue.
withmanitisimpossible on February 25, 2011 at 9:26 AM
In any other sense I wouldn’t object so much to “fleebaggers” since, as noted above, it calls back to carpert baggers. But we all know why this word has gained traction this week and it’s not because we remember Reconstruction.
I dislike the childish use of “Tea Baggers” by lefties and I cringe when I see the same game being played on our side.
KGB on February 25, 2011 at 9:26 AM
Why yes, I was. How penetratingly observant of you to get to the bottom of this.
I’m duly chastened.
KGB on February 25, 2011 at 9:29 AM
Gateway Pundit has video of the bill’s passage and the crowd really does FREAK OUT
This is sorta disturbing too….woman thinks she will die because the budget was cut. WTF are the unions telling their members??
Mord on February 25, 2011 at 9:31 AM
I’ve seen Capuchin monkeys at the zoo who acted with more decorum.
Bishop on February 25, 2011 at 9:31 AM
fleebaggers is completely appropriate, descriptive, humorous, non-sexual and spot-on. Teabaggers on the other hand is crudely sexual, non-descriptive, and tangentially associated with the group that the term represents. WI Democrats actually “fled” (past tense of “flee”) and they most likely took a “bag” with them (their suitcase). The conflation of “flee” and “bag” connotates a diseased state akin to a dog, adequately describes what the men did, what they took and is a humorous, snarky way of extracting rhetorical revenge for the non-descriptive teabagging term.
if the shoe fits.
ted c on February 25, 2011 at 9:31 AM
“Fleebagger” doesn’t refer to a sex act and it just fits. It’s got the fleabag hotel angle, the anti-carpetbagger, and it makes a joke of the “teabagger” term. I don’t have a problem with it.
forest on February 25, 2011 at 9:31 AM
You’re easily offended…even on a blog. Anyway, I tend to agree with you about it being childish. But if you are waiting for government to follow your example of a grown-up, please don’t hold your breath while you wait.
withmanitisimpossible on February 25, 2011 at 9:32 AM
Just in case you haven’t seen it yet, here’s some hilarious video of uniformed union thugs on the floor right as the vote was taken, trying to intimidate GOP members with unified chants:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=SGDp581g9t0
Good Lt on February 25, 2011 at 9:32 AM
I cancelled my annual fishing trip up to Eagle River, WI this year. When I called the cabin resort owner and told him of this, he asked why. My answer was simple, his WI State Senator is one of the 14 who won’t do his job. I won’t support the economy of those who won’t support the outcome of elections or the responsibility of thier elected office or those who support those pols. He’s a proud progressive, aside from his politics (which we never broach to preserve our “friendship”) he’s a decent guy who is passionate on his political beliefs.
ChicagoBlues on February 25, 2011 at 9:33 AM
Then don’t use it.
The rest of us will continue to tweak them with their own creation.
Good Lt on February 25, 2011 at 9:34 AM
Here’s what I don’t understand.
In the wee morning hours YESTERDAY, the Assembly Dems made an agreement to limit the amendments they would add in order to speed up the process to the vote.
An article I read yesterday morning calculated that the amendment-wrangling should end around noon.
Yet…
…It was somewhere around 9:00 PM last night when the Assembly Republicans SHUT DOWN the amendment-wrangling.
Then several hours later they had to SHUT DOWN the “debating”.
I guess my point is – what’s the point in making any kind of agreement/deal with Democrats when they seem to show absolutely no interest in abiding by it?
Religious_Zealot on February 25, 2011 at 9:34 AM
OK, here’s a serious question: I couldn’t agree more that unions have abused their position. But the loss of collective bargaining rights troubles me. If they can’t bargain together (within reasonable limits – no wildcat strikes by essential personnel, etc.), how are they supposed to work with their employers to get a fair shake? Are we saying that collective bargaining rights are bad in themselves? By my understanding, in the past bargaining helped workers who really were being treated unfairly. Are those days just gone?
Rosmerta on February 25, 2011 at 9:34 AM
You have to admit that doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue.
Come on, live a little.
Bishop on February 25, 2011 at 9:35 AM
Good God. For a minute I thought that was some third-world parliament brawl.
They truly disgust me.
Bee on February 25, 2011 at 9:36 AM
I see your point. I really do. But using the term is pure Alinsky, and it’s effective:
Alinsky Rules for Radicals #4: Make the enemy live up to their own book of rules. If they want folks to stop using the term “fleebagger,” they’ll have to stop using the term “teabagger.” Do you think that’s going to happen?
Alinsky Rules for Radicals #5: Ridicule is man’s most potent weapon. These fleeing legislators deserve heaping piles of ridicule. They are trying to hold their state’s Constitutional business hostage by illegal means.
Alinsky Rules for Radicals #13: Pick the target, freeze it, personalize it, and polarize it. Anything — and I mean anything — that can be done to polarize these greedy, power-hungry, un-American democrat party operatives we call “union members” must be used.
In this fight, the Republicans are the radicals fighting against the establishment. Do you realize how important it is to the future of this nation that the democrat-unionists lose this battle? Now is not the time to stick our pinkies out and pat ourselves on the back for having more class. Too much is at stake. It’s a pejorative, for heaven’s sake, and it still pales in comparison to the vicious, violent tactics the democrat-unionists are using in this fight.
Rational Thought on February 25, 2011 at 9:37 AM
Who are their employers?
withmanitisimpossible on February 25, 2011 at 9:37 AM
True that.
Oh – you mean the Fleebaggers!
See, KGB?
THAT sticks.
And that’s what we want.
Good Lt on February 25, 2011 at 9:38 AM
They can still bargain collectively for wages. Public unions shouldn’t be able to bargain collectivley to begin with. The people representing the taxpayers are usually corrupt democrats.
Private unions have no restrictions.
darwin on February 25, 2011 at 9:38 AM
How about boycotting Democrats–or Boyrats for short.
Steve Z on February 25, 2011 at 9:38 AM
Actually, I think it’s pretty funny.
Turnabout is fair play.
Good Lt on February 25, 2011 at 9:39 AM
How about in the spirit of Wisconsin… “Cheezers”
withmanitisimpossible on February 25, 2011 at 9:40 AM
They’re public employees.
We’re not a corporation. They work for us, and they get into it knowing this.
If they don’t like it, lots of luck in the private sector (where you can unionize).
Good Lt on February 25, 2011 at 9:41 AM
I agree with Gateway Pundit — if that woman is in a classroom with children someone needs to step in immediately. She is straight-up insane. Can you imagine if she is an actual teacher, alone in a room with kids all day? Good grief.
Rational Thought on February 25, 2011 at 9:42 AM
No,it’s funny and you know it.Thanks for trying,concern tr.oll
katy the mean old lady on February 25, 2011 at 9:44 AM
Naww. Centipedes, on the other hand….
In any case, Given that giving is nearly always better than receiving, I’m not all that upset about the term “teabagger.”
Sekhmet on February 25, 2011 at 9:44 AM
I don’t have collective bargaining. I am expected to negotiate my salary and benefits with my employer. I am expected to take care of myself. Why should public employees be any different?
ladyingray on February 25, 2011 at 9:44 AM
F-Failing
L-Liberals
E-Escape
E-Established
B-Bonafide
A-Apprised
G-Government
G-Goals
E-Enounced
R-Recently
S-Sartorially
Does that make it go down a little easier?
Guest1.1 on February 25, 2011 at 9:45 AM
Rosmerta on February 25, 2011 at 9:34 AM
May I suggest you researh the WI laws covering Civil Service. They are actually quite strong, stronger than most labor contracts in other states in regards to worker rights. If the gov wins out and limits negotiations to just wages, they still have a formidable set of laws governing the workplace. Yes, the legisature could overturn these laws as well, but that would cross a line that I think would not bode well for the Repbus is the WI legislature, or nationally.
ChicagoBlues on February 25, 2011 at 9:45 AM
Don’t stop with this. Ram through everything. Voter ID, Immigration Reform, tax reform, everything! This is the worst it’ll get. And YOU BEAT THEM!!!!!
Iblis on February 25, 2011 at 9:45 AM
Because democrats don’t want to work for what they earn. They are entitled from birth.
withmanitisimpossible on February 25, 2011 at 9:45 AM
No, of course not. You won’t find too many people who oppose collective bargaining for private sector unions. These folks work for the government. They already have civil service protection. And because they’ve been abusing the system for years by buying their employer, we’ve reached an untenable spot.
Mr. D on February 25, 2011 at 9:45 AM
You’re over-thinking it Rational Thought. It’s just mudslinging. Yeah, it was kinda funny the first time I read it. After seeing it used scores of times on just a few different blogs in one day, it’s gotten stale.
And it’s not the same as “carpetbagger”. Which is not a term that refers to a crude sex act. I think we can win our fights without descending into vulgarity.
sartana on February 25, 2011 at 9:46 AM
Stupid is as stupid does.
Carpetbaggers on vacation infest Best Westerns with bed bugs and fleas. Inevitably, Democrats corrupt and deplete whatever matter with their Negative-Midas bankrupting touch.
Hm. Why risk the negative publicity hosting fleebaggers as if in fleabags?
Best Western Motels would do it’s image and the public a service by issuing a formal non-partisan request that during session, AWOL legislators return to their respective capitals. And legislative bodies would do the public a service issuing laws mandating that each political party maintain a majority of its elected officials within the Legislature proper during sessions, with punitive damages assessed absent members not literally in hospital.
maverick muse on February 25, 2011 at 9:47 AM
F-Failing
L-Liberals
E-Escape
E-Established
B-Bonafide
A-Apprised
G-Government
G-Goals
E-Enounced
R-Recently
S-Sanatorially
Gosh darn spell check
Guest1.1 on February 25, 2011 at 9:47 AM
withmanitisimpossible on February 25, 2011 at 9:40 AM
Nah…I reserve that for Packer Fans. LOL :)
ChicagoBlues on February 25, 2011 at 9:47 AM
Rational Thought on February 25, 2011 at 9:42 AM
One of the commenters was wondering if the woman was a bussed-in protester that wouldn’t even be affected by the deal. I wouldn’t put it past these people. Lefties have no shame.
Mord on February 25, 2011 at 9:47 AM
S- Senatorially
I quit!
Guest1.1 on February 25, 2011 at 9:48 AM
It looked awfully genuine. Very scary whether or not it was.
withmanitisimpossible on February 25, 2011 at 9:49 AM
I agree.
I think Gutless Yellowbelly Snivelling Democrat Coward is a far more apt description, don’t you?
pilamaye on February 25, 2011 at 9:55 AM
In a word, yes.
Unions didn’t used to have power until they literally pirated possession of factories, locking out owners and law enforcement. Since those days of union law breaking, Legislatures passed labor laws protecting workers, leaving unions at that point non-essential except for organized crime to abuse, as union leaders always had in mind, anyway.
The only laborers who ever deserved unions remain neglected by their unions and unprotected by their elected representatives in legislatures and Congress, those being MINERS.
Public employees NEVER needed a union for safe working conditions, and simply joined on the corrupt union bandwagon in order to fleece tax payers as they have. Time to pay the piper, public employees must pay their own benefits the same as the private sector. Work from that “equality for all laborers” premise, no coddling corrupt organized crime unions in bed with government. Clean House.
maverick muse on February 25, 2011 at 9:55 AM
+1
maverick muse on February 25, 2011 at 9:57 AM
Rational Thought on February 25, 2011 at 9:37 AM
+eleventy
Anyone remember how long Obamacare was debated before it was rammed through? Because if it’s less than 61 hours that’s a fun fact for our site. (Yes, I’m googling it… just hoping someone already knows.)
Laura Curtis on February 25, 2011 at 9:58 AM
*side, not site Doh!
Laura Curtis on February 25, 2011 at 9:58 AM
Has Walker carried out his threat to stop automatic deposit of paychecks to the fleebaggers?
angryed on February 25, 2011 at 10:02 AM
I’m telling you, none of the fleebaggers are coming back as long as the capitol building is filled with protestors.
None of them want to endure that walk of shame.
WisCon on February 25, 2011 at 10:05 AM
Maybe they realize they have to go home to Wisconsin; I would stay away forever too just because of that.
Bishop on February 25, 2011 at 10:06 AM
“Douchebaggers” work for me, though I use that term for every demorat throughout the nation so there might be some confusion.
Bishop on February 25, 2011 at 10:08 AM
Yes. That was done on either Monday or Tuesday.
I saw a report in the NY Post that said the missing Dems are not enjoying their life in self-imposed exile.
It really is only a matter of time.
Today’s question is whether the Senate Dems believe that they will be blamed for the upcoming layoffs if they don’t come back to work.
The Assembly Dems agreeing (ha!) to allow the bill to be voted upon seems to indicate that they believe that they WILL be blamed (hence letting up on their obstructionism).
I was thinking that we would see one lone Senate Dem come back later today for the vote. The Dem would be the one most vulnerable in the next election and this would allow him/her some cover while still allowing the other Dems to declare “victory”.
But, I’m now wondering if they may feel re-invigorated after the screaming nonsense earlier this morning.
Religious_Zealot on February 25, 2011 at 10:11 AM
Holding one’s breath never works, and is very childish. Wish there was a way for Walker to get around those kiddies.
Kissmygrits on February 25, 2011 at 10:12 AM
I came across this quote in the comment section of a local “think tank”:
Historian Joseph J. Ellis wrote in his book “Founding Brothers”,
Fallon on February 25, 2011 at 10:13 AM
I don’t know, I find it hard to find sympathy for a bunch of people who are being asked to make sacrifices just like a lot of us have had to make. It could always be worse! Ask the unemployed!
scalleywag on February 25, 2011 at 10:14 AM
They’re gettin’ in our faces, people. Stop giving them your back. You can yell back, too.
RepubChica on February 25, 2011 at 10:16 AM
For the children? How about their own families? Looks like Daddy or Mommy, have dumped them too.
katy the mean old lady on February 25, 2011 at 10:18 AM
Somebody needs some tough love.
SouthernGent on February 25, 2011 at 10:19 AM
If they make it that far, they should feel lucky.
Electrongod on February 25, 2011 at 10:31 AM
The cheese-eating abscondance monkeys are in Harvard, IL. While a charming little blue collar town, it doesn’t offer much to an outsider.
It is however, the last stop (literally) on the Metra train system.
Daisy_WI on February 25, 2011 at 10:42 AM
LOLOLOLOL…
*gasp*
LOLOLOLOL…
Midas on February 25, 2011 at 10:42 AM
Linked, with video of lady screaming, “I’m gonna lose my chemo!: ‘Wisconsin Assembly Passes Governor Walker Budget’.
Donald Douglas on February 25, 2011 at 10:44 AM
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