"Ready for this fight:" Assembly committee Democrats lay out expectations for hearing on Right-to-Work

MADISON (WITI) -- The full Wisconsin Senate on Wednesday night, February 25th voted 17-15 to send "Right-to-Work" legislation to the Assembly. The Assembly Committee on Labor will begin debating the bill next week.

On Thursday, February 26th, the Democratic members of the Assembly Committee on Labor laid out their expectations and plans for the upcoming public hearing on Senate Bill 44.

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.

Rep. Christine Sinicki (D-Milwaukee), Rep. Cory Mason (D-Racine) and Rep. Tod Ohnstad (D-Kenosha) joined together to share their concerns about the silencing of public input during the Senate Labor Committee's hearing this past Tuesday, February 24th -- and outline a plan to ensure every effort is made to allow for public input this time around.

The Assembly Labor Committee has scheduled a 10-hour hearing for Monday, March 2nd.

"Assembly Democrats are ready for this fight," Rep. Andy Jorgensen (D-Milton) said.

Senators on Tuesday evening cut short public testimony on Right-to-Work legislation. Why? Because they apparently received a "credible threat."

For hours on Tuesday, speaker after speaker filed before the Senate Labor Committee to weigh in on the debate over the controversial legislation. The public hearing was scheduled to last until 7:00 p.m., but about 40 minutes before that, Sen. Stephen Nass (R - Whitewater) cited a "credible threat" and shut the comment period down.

The committee quickly voted 3-1 to send the legislation to the full Senate -- and officers escorted the Republican senators from the room.

“Allowing for public input is not just about checking off a box – it is about carefully listening to the people of our state as we deliberate the merits of this bill and consider any potential changes. This bill is incredibly divisive and damaging and at a very minimum we owe it to the citizens of Wisconsin to hear their voices," Rep. Cory Mason (D-Racine) said in a statement.

"Assembly Democrats are not only voicing our strong opposition to this bill, but also working hard to ensure there is maximum public input on this extremely damaging bill that will hurt all Wisconsin working families," Rep. Christine Sinicki (D-Milwaukee) said in a statement.

"If there are people still waiting to be heard -- we ask they extend the meeting," Rep. Sinicki told FOX6 News.

Democrats pledge to stay as long as it takes to ensure every citizen who wants to speak gets the chance. With a Republican majority in the Legislature, that public testimony is unlikely to change the outcome.

"My biggest concern is that this be a hearing -- not a filibuster," Rep. Andre Jacque (R-De Pere) said.

Rep. Jacque says his party will consider Democrats' amendments to the bill as long as they are presented prior to debate. It is likely Democrats will also try and push for a 90-day delay in Right-to-Work implementation -- something that failed in the Senate.

"I think the concern we have, and this was probably the case (Wednesday) in the Senate, if you have amendments that are introduced as they are introduced -- there really isn`t much reaction time to consider the merits," Rep. Jacque said.

On Thursday, the morning after a first round of defeat, Democrats were pointing the finger at Governor Scott Walker. On Tuesday, Walker said his 2012 campaign promise to block Right-to-Work legislation only applied to his first term in office.

"Here`s what he said to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel on September 2nd, 2014. It could not be more clear.  He stated, 'I`m not pushing for Right-to-Work.  I`m not supporting it in this session.'  I don`t know how much clearer you could be," Rep. Peter Barca (D-Kenosha) said.

The full Assembly is expected to take up the legislation by next Thursday.  Governor Walker has said if Right-to-Work legislation crosses his desk, he will sign it into law.

READ IT: Assembly Labor Committee Democrats lay out expectations for Right-to-Work public hearing.

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