Associated Press: MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Wisconsin lawmakers voted Thursday to strip nearly all collective bargaining rights from the state's public workers, ending a heated standoff over labor rights and delivering a key victory to Republicans who have targeted unions in efforts to slash government spending nationwide.
The state's Assembly passed Gov. Scott Walker's explosive proposal 53-42 without any Democratic support and four no votes from the GOP. Protesters in the gallery erupted into screams of "Shame! Shame! Shame!" as Republican lawmakers filed out of the chamber and into the speaker's office.
The state's Senate used a procedural move to bypass missing Democrats and move the measure forward Wednesday night, meaning the plan that delivers one of the strongest blows to union power in years now requires only Walker's signature to take effect. [MORE]
Given the swiftness in which Republicans have acted, I cannot help but say it again, why did they wait so long?
Public employee unions across the nation have just been served notice, that their comfy cash cow racket is about to be lost forever. States across the nation who are in tighter jams than Wisconsin are going to start taking a long hard look at reforming public employee pensions, benefits and salaries. No longer will these items be off the table. In many states, legislatures will take aim at the collection of union dues as well.
Via: Associated Press
Via: Legal Insurrection