LATEST: In 17-15 vote, full Senate passes "Right-to-Work" legislation
MADISON (WITI) — In a 17-15 vote, the full Senate PASSED Right-to-Work legislation Wednesday night, February 25th. This, after hours of debate. On Tuesday night, the Senate Labor Committee sent the legislation to the full Senate in a 3-1 vote. The legislation now heads to the Assembly.
FOX6 News was in the Senate chambers early on Wednesday, February 25th -- and it was a day of emotional debate. That debate was halted almost as soon as it started. After a stern warning from Senate President Mary Lazich (R - New Berlin), the gallery was silenced -- and the Right-to-Work debate got underway.
Inside the Senate chambers, Democrats decried the bill as an attack on the middle class as the bill's author, Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau) offered a forceful defense of his idea.
"We cannot remain stuck in an antiquated system. We have a duty to make Wisconsin more competitive," Sen. Fitzgerald said.
Democrats offered seven amendments designed to soften the legislation. Each of those amendments was rejected. The stream of "no's" let to a sense of inevitability.
"If you want to have a Right-to-Work state, you're going to win. I understand that," a Democratic lawmaker said.
Much of the speaking Wednesday was left to the Democrats, but as the day progressed, Senator Van Wanggaard (R-Racine) became the voice of the GOP.
"We get it. We understand that this is important for our economy in southeastern Wisconsin. We have businesses that are lining up -- that are coming across the border and the economy has been growing in my district," Wanggaard said.
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.
As the debate kicked off Wednesday afternoon, Democrats offered impassioned speeches -- and Sen. Chris Larson (D-Milwaukee) attempted to send the vote back to committee -- where a hearing was abruptly ended Tuesday night.
This, as outside the Senate chambers, thousands of union workers and others opposed to this legislation gathered in protest -- their chants echoing inside.
But for all the outrage, the bill's passage was seen as something already decided. Republicans needed 17 votes to pass the bill -- and hold an 18-14 seat advantage over Democrats.
One Republican, Jerry Petrowski (R-Marathon) was not expected to vote with his party. That left 17 "yes" votes expected from Republicans. The bill heads to the Assembly for debate next week.
Governor Walker has said he would sign Right-to-Work legislation if it made its way to his desk.
The following are the statements of One Wisconsin Now Executive Director Scot Ross upon passage of Senate Bill 44:
"Seventeen Republican Senators listened to powerful special interests like the Bradley Foundation run by Gov. Walker's Campaign co-chair and voted against Wisconsin families tonight.
A $5,000 per year pay cut for Wisconsin families to benefit corporate CEOs is wrong.
Losing benefits like time off if you're sick or to spend time with your family is wrong.
Less support for our public schools and fewer people with health insurance is wrong.
That's what the GOP majority voted for tonight and that's why right to work is wrong for Wisconsin.
While Gov. Walker has left us unemployed and mired in billion of dollars in debt, he wants onerous new restrictions on workers while he enjoys the freedom to fly around the country campaigning for a new job instead of doing the one here he was elected to do. That’s worse than wrong. It’s outrageous."
Americans for Prosperity Wisconsin Director David Fladeboe released the following statement upon Senate passage of Right-To-Work:
“Tonight, we congratulate the Wisconsin Senate for standing up for workers all across our great state and finally passing this long overdue legislation. Right-To-Work will create thousands of jobs and guarantee that no worker will ever be denied a job for refusing to join a union.
This bill is about choice, freedom and creating more opportunities for working class families everywhere. We look forward to the assembly passing this common sense legislation in the coming days.”
"Passage of the Right-to-Work bill in the Wisconsin State Senate today is a big first step toward expanding workplace freedom for Wisconsin workers. Wisconsin is on the cusp of enjoying the individual worker freedom and economic benefits of a Right-to-Work law. Now that the Wisconsin State Senate has passed a Right-to-Work bill, we call on the Wisconsin State Assembly to act swiftly and send it straight to Governor Walker so that Wisconsin can join America’s other 24 Right-to-Work states."
CLICK HERE for further Right-to-Work coverage via FOX6Now.com.
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