Lawmakers in Madison continue debating on Assembly floor

MADISON (AP) — Minority Democrats in the state Assembly won't let one of the roughest legislative sessions in Wisconsin history end. Thursday was the last scheduled day for floor debate in the Senate and Assembly before lawmakers leave Madison for the campaign trail.

The Senate finished its work in less than an hour Thursday afternoon. The Assembly came to the floor Thursday morning and worked until 11 p.m. or so before the Democrats broke for strategy meetings.

They returned to the floor around 3 a.m. Friday and started trying to pull their favorite bills up for votes, forcing majority Republicans to vote the attempts down one by one and prolonging the session. The body still had more than 30 bills on its regular calendar as dawn approached.

So far, the state Assembly has passed a number of controversial bills including a measure that would require teacher evaluations based on test scores. The education reform legislation will require a consistent method for evaluating teachers. That bill is aimed at strengthening reading skills. They also passed a bill requiring women seeking abortions to undergo exams and consult face-to-face with doctors.

To watch or listen to the state Assembly floor session, click here.