Capitol Chaos: Senate Dems, Others React
MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- --Gov. Scott Walker: "The Senate Democrats have had three weeks to debate this bill and were offered repeated opportunities to come home, which they refused. In order to move the state forward, I applaud the Legislature's action today to stand up to the status quo and take a step in the right direction to balance the budget and reform government."
--Democratic state Sen. Chris Larson of Milwaukee: "This was a straight shot to the heart of unions. This was an attempt to kill them and really hit a blow to workers' rights and the middle class in our state."
--Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald: "The people of Wisconsin elected us to come to Madison and do a job. Just because the Senate Democrats won't do theirs, doesn't mean we won't do ours."
--Senate Minority Leader Mark Miller: "In 30 minutes, 18 state Senators undid 50 years of civil rights in Wisconsin. Their disrespect for the people of Wisconsin and their rights is an outrage that will never be forgotten."
--Democratic Sen. Julie Lassa of Stevens Point: "Deaf to the pleas of the overwhelming majority of Wisconsin citizens, Governor Walker and Republican legislators have demonstrated absolute contempt for the democratic process. They should be ashamed of themselves."
--Sen. Dale Schultz of Richland Center, the lone Republican to vote against the measure: "As someone who has spent the better part of the last four weeks working toward and hoping for a compromise, this is a difficult night ... Ultimately, I voted my conscience which I feel reflects the core beliefs of the majority of voters who sent me here to represent them. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the days ahead as we now need to join together to work through what promises to be a difficult budget."
-- Phil Neuenfeldt, president of the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO: "Senate Republicans have exercised the nuclear option to ram through their bill attacking Wisconsin's working families in the dark of night. Walker and the Republicans acted in violation of state open meetings laws, and tonight's events have demonstrated they will do or say anything to pass their extreme agenda that attacks Wisconsin's working families."
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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