Democrats in the state Senate maintain they did the right thing when they left Wisconsin earlier this year to block the Governor’s collective bargaining changes. The 14 Senators stayed in Illinois for nearly three weeks to prevent a vote on the bill, although Republicans found a way to pass it without them.
Even though Wisconsin Act 10 takes effect today, state Senator Spencer Coggs (D-Milwaukee) says there are no regrets about their decision to leave. He says the action gave the public time to understand more about what the bill was proposing and allowed citizens to make their voices heard.
Senator Fred Risser (D-Madison) says their actions helped to awaken a sleeping giant and expose the Republican efforts to attack the middle class.
With nine recalls in the Senate moving ahead this summer and groups planning an attempt to recall Governor Walker next year, Risser expects the issue is far from settled.
Risser is co-sponsoring a bill that would undo the collective bargaining changes, although he admits it’s unlikely to go anywhere unless Democrats regain control of the Senate after the recalls.
Risser says they may have lost the battle this spring, but they did not lose the war.