"A lot of debate today:" Assembly begins marathon 24-hour session on Right-to-Work legislation



MADISON (WITI/AP) — The Wisconsin Assembly has begun a marathon session of debate on Right-to-Work legislation -- debate that's expected to stretch into Friday morning. The debate hasn't been without disruption at the Capitol in Madison Thursday, March 5th. Late Thursday, a Department of Administration representative told FOX6 News two people were arrested after screaming profanities and refusing to stop.

The debate got underway at 9:00 a.m. The Assembly has set 24 hours to debate Right-to-Work legislation.

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos says he doesn't expect all 63 Republicans to vote for the bill, but he says there will be far more than 50 votes to pass it.

"We`re gonna have an opportunity for a lot of debate today," Rep. Robin Vos (R-Rochester) said.

Vos said at the beginning of debate that Democrats will attempt to distract from the real issue. He says Republicans are ready to debate the merits of the bill.

Democratic Minority Leader Peter Barca says there will be a vibrant debate about how the bill will drive down wages and make workers less safe.

"I think it will be a very vibrant debate," Rep. Barca (D-Kenosha) said.

As the debate got underway Thursday morning, a resolution was brought forward.

"The Governor, as we all know, made some very insensitive remarks," Rep. Barca said.

Democrats want Governor Walker to apologize to state workers for remarks critics say compared Act 10 protesters to terrorists. Walker made this comment last Thursday, February 26th, at the CPAC conference in Washington: "We need a leader with that confidence. If I can take on 100,000 protesters, I can do the same across the world."

"You should never ever equate in any context the workers of this great state with ISIS terrorists," Rep. Barca said.

Republicans are calling the resolution a stall tactic.

"You will not be able to accuse this side of politicizing today because that is exactly what you`re doing. Let`s just have a real debate about the right to work in Wisconsin. Those people who work hard deserve it," Rep. Joel Kleefisch (R-Oconomowoc) said.

The Right-to-Work bill is expected to pass the Assembly no later than 9:00 a.m. Friday. Governor Walker plans to sign it into law on Monday.

The bill would prevent private businesses from entering labor agreements with unions that force workers to pay union fees. The controversial legislation states "No person may require, as a condition or obtaining or continuing employment..." that a worker "pay any dues...to a labor organization." A violation, by businesses or unions, would carry criminal penalties of nine months in jail and a $10,000 fine.

The full Senate passed Right-to-Work legislation last week in a 17-15 vote.

"This is not a bill that is anti-union. It`s one that is definitely pro worker freedom," Rep. Vos said.

"This is a very destructive bill for the middle class. It`s a destructive bill for small business," Rep. Barca said.

Assembly Democrats, in a press release issued to FOX6 News have outlined four amendments Democrats on the Assembly's Labor Committee will offer in the next executive session, including: a 90-day delay to give businesses more certainty and time to finalize any contracts; removing criminal penalties so business owners don’t face jail time and a $10,000 fine; restoring the preamble which emphasizes the importance of labor peace; and sunsetting the law if wages drop.

Rep. Vos says all of these amendments will be rejected.

If the bill is amended, the Senate would have to vote on it again.

On Thursday afternoon, disruptions from the Assembly gallery led to the gallery being cleared by Capitol police.

When debate resumed, there was a plea to not make this an all-nighter -- but all signs are that lawmakers were ready for the long haul.

"Take the vote, finalize the decision -- allowing the members of both sides of the aisle the opportunity to go home, read their children a beautiful bedtime story, and kiss them goodnight" a lawmaker said.

And so, the debate continued into Thursday night.

"This is about choices -- giving the option to people to say 'you don't have to join a union,'" Rep. Samantha Kerkman (R-Salem) said.

"They know what the impact is when the workplace is part union and part not. It will be devastating," Rep. Fred Kessler (D-Milwaukee) said.

While there were Biblical references Thursday, it will take a miracle for Democrats to defeat this bill.

"We can part it. All we have to do is vote 'no.' It's a burning bush Mr. Speaker. All you have to do is vote 'no,'" Rep. Mandela Barnes (D-Milwaukee) said.

The passage of Right-to-Work seems inevitable. But not before more voices are heard.

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