Majority Republicans plan to move quickly next week on a bill that would make Wisconsin a right-to-work state.
Senate Republican Leader Scott Fitzgerald said Friday at a Capitol news conference that he has the votes needed to pass the bill, which would bar businesses from making union membership a condition of employment. Fitzgerald said “all 17 senators that support the bill right now are convinced that this could be a game changer for Wisconsin.”
The announcement on Friday came as a surprise to many, with Democrats questioning the need to rush the controversial bill through the process. A hearing will likely be held this coming Tuesday, with a vote in the Senate held as early as the next day. The Assembly would then take up the bill the following week.
Fitzgerald argued Friday that there’s no reason to delay since he has the 17 votes needed to pass the bill. He said “my experience as leaders is, when you have the votes, you go to the floor…you don’t wait around.”
Governor Scott Walker’s office has indicated he will sign the bill, if it makes it to his desk.
