Madison — Gov. Scott Walker on Saturday rejected an overture from a Democratic state senator that public employee unions had agreed to make financial sacrifices contained in the budget-repair bill in return for the right to bargain collectively.
Cullen Werwie, Walker's spokesman, said in a statement that State Sen. Jon Erpenbach (D-Middleton) "should come to work and debate the bill while doing his job in Madison.
"Gov. Walker has repeatedly said that we won't negotiate the budget and we can't balance the budget on a hope and a prayer," Werwie said in the statement. "That remains true. State and local government need the flexibility to manage this and future budget crises. In addition, as government workers pay a modest amount toward their pension and healthcare premium, about half the national average, it is fair to give them the choice of additional savings on their union dues."
The Walker statement was in response to a statement earlier Saturday from Erpenbach, who said he had been informed that all state and local public employees had agreed to the financial aspects of Walker's budget-repair bill. Erpenbach added in his statement that the groups wanted, in turn, for Walker to agree to let labor groups bargain collectively, as they do now.
Erpenbach's statement was backed by a spokeswoman for the Wisconsin Education Association Council, who confirmed the agreement.
The back and forth between missing Senate Democrats and Walker came as protesters in the thousands descended on the State Capitol on Saturday, demonstrating their support or opposition to Gov. Scott Walker's budget-repair bill.
Inside the Capitol Rotunda, and outside in different areas of the Capitol, protesters gathered to chant, yell, march and otherwise voice their opinion on what is turning out to be another massive gathering in Madison.
At mid-morning Saturday, there was a heavy security presence around the Capitol. Outside, while groups were parading around the square and shouting slogans, police from multiple jurisdictions, some as far away as Brown County, were watching.
State officials said as many as 500 officers were on duty, representing 40 different law enforcement agencies. That number is somewhat misleading, however, because some jurisdictions are sending only one or two officers to relieve other personnel who have been working long shifts.
At the Capitol, police said the east and west entrance to the Capitol were closed. Instead, protesters who wanted to get into the Capitol had to enter on the north and south entrances.
There are three areas of protests going on. Labor activists control the Capitol Rotunda, and visitors representing firefighters, police officers and teachers are pouring in.
Outside, on one side of the Capitol, there are several thousand labor protesters listening to speeches.
Separated by orange plastic barriers, several thousand tea party protesters and others supporting Gov. Scott Walker are gathering. Many were holding signs supporting the governor.
At the entrances inside, protesters were allowed to bring placards in, but no signs with sticks on them. And, one sign said, no firearms are allowed.
Police said the east and west entrances would be closed all day.
The extra security presence is in anticipation of two opposing groups - for and against Gov. Scott Walker's budget-repair bill - protesting and marching for their cause throughout the day.
At one area in which both pro- and anti-Walker protesters had gathered, one side chanted, "Kill the bill," while another group yelled, "Pass the bill."
Tom Rynders, a Vietnam veteran here to support Walker, was talking to a Journal Sentinel reporter when a union protester yelled at him, "This is about losing our rights as citizens." Replied Rynders: "I have rights, too."
The sound from the dueling protesters was so loud that many of the tea party supporters couldn't hear the speakers. Instead they commiserated about teachers, complained about the missing senators and tried to shout down pro-union demonstrators.
Groups representing public employee unions and others backing Republicans and Walker are expected to hold demonstrations during the day. Labor groups had planned at least two rallies,
Americans for Prosperity Executive Director Tim Phillips told his supporters on Saturday that the country is in the midst of a "revolution of fiscal sanity." He led tea party supporters in a rousing chant of "Do Your Job."
"We are going to win. We are going to win our nation and our values," said Phillips.
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Tea Party Descends on Madison, Wisconsin Protestsby toastycookies3,051 views
Oh, he's not gonna have to bow. Soon he'll be on his knees...
CComb501 11 months ago