Wisconsin Senate GOP Tries Nuclear Option for Passing Anti-Union Bill [UPDATE: It Worked]

[Hannah Bell]

Republicans in the Senate...have called a conference committee meeting -- which is open to the media -- where the key fiscal component of the bill, a refinancing provision, will be stripped out. The collective bargaining component, the pay cuts, pension reform -- all still there. That would allow the stripped-down bill to pass the Senate with no Democrats present.

http://www.slate.com/BLOGS/blogs/weigel/archive/2011/03/09/wisconsin-senate-gop-tries-nuclear-option-for-passing-anti-union-bill.aspx

UPDATE: The meeting just ended with Republicans passing the rule by a 4-2, partisan margin. The new bill, said Senate GOP Leader Scott Fitzgerald, "would not trigger the special quorum argument of Article VIII, Second 8."

Democratic House Leader Peter Barca demanded that Fitzgerald explain what was being moved around in the legislation.


"This is the bill that passed the Assembly," said Fitzgerald. "There's nothing different from that."

"Nothing different?" said Barca.


"They just removed items," said Fitzgerald. "There's nothing new."

Barca exploded. "This is clearly a violating of the open meetings law!" he said, as crowds audibly chanted "Shame! Shame!" through the doors. "This is not a rule, this is a law!"

UPDATE 7:22 p.m. ET: The Senate held a quick session and passed the bill, 18-1, with wavering Sen. Dale Schultz voting no.

The amended legislation goes to the Assembly, where Republicans, as ever, have the votes to push it through.

UPDATE 7:30: Matt Miller, leader of the Senate Democrats, issues a statement:

In thirty minutes, 18 State Senators undid fifty years of civil rights in Wisconsin. Their disrespect for the people of Wisconsin and their rights is an outrage that will never be forgotten. Tonight, 18 Senate Republicans conspired to take government away from the people. Tomorrow we will join the people of Wisconsin in taking back their government.

http://www.slate.com/BLOGS/blogs/weigel/archive/2011/03/09/wisconsin-senate-gop-tries-nuclear-option-for-passing-anti-union-bill.aspx