Wisconsin Gov. Issues 24-Hour Ultimatum for Missing Democrats

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker’s budget plan has stalled in the state legislature after the Senate Democratic caucus fled the state to avoid a confrontational vote. But now, after delaying action on the measure amid protests at the state capitol, Walker and his GOP allies are moving forward with the governor’s 2011-2013 budget that will be unveiled Tuesday in a formal address.

Milwaukee’s Journal-Sentinel reports:

Walker and GOP legislative leaders had sought to pass the budget repair bill before he gave the larger budget speech and even delayed it for a week to allow for more time. But Democratic senators have blocked passage by remaining in Illinois, leaving Walker and his GOP allies in the Legislature to deal with both proposals at the same time.

Meanwhile, Walker said Democrats need to return by Tuesday and pass the repair bill or time would run out on a deal to delay payment of $165 million in state debt to solve the budget problems this year and avoid up to 1,500 layoffs. Democrats denied that, offering a different plan that they said would avoid layoffs.

“Now they have one day to return to work before the state loses out on the chance to refinance debt, saving taxpayers $165 million this fiscal year,” Walker spokesman Cullen Werwie said. “Failure to return to work and cast their votes will lead to more painful and aggressive spending cuts in the very near future.”

Werwie said Walker was giving the Democrats 24-hour notice. He added that the governor will delay sending out layoff notices “as long as possible.”

Werwie said that it would take a 30-day process to lay off union employees and a 15-day process to lay off non-union workers.

Predictably, Democrats responded to the governor’s ultimatum with contempt.  Sen. Jon Erpenbach, a Democrat currently hiding out in Chicago, complained that Walker wasn’t being honest with voters about what bond restructuring would do.  “He’s not getting a lower interest rate – just deferring a payment and it’s going to cost us $30 million” in interest, Erpenbach said.  “He’s just kicking the can down the road.”

Comments (17)

  • markm5
    Posted on March 2, 2011 at 10:59am

    Gov. Walker…never, never, never back down. You are in our prayers, be strong and courageous, doing so will make us all proud!

    Report Post »  
  • pattybbb1
    Posted on March 1, 2011 at 10:06pm

    Time will tell……..

    Report Post »  
  • ...............R..U..Kidding...Me
    Posted on March 1, 2011 at 10:01pm

    The Wisconsin Gov should stop delaying and start lay-off last week.
    He’s showing that he is weak .

    Report Post »  
  • greg4fitness
    Posted on March 1, 2011 at 9:35pm

    The Dem’s need to take a lesson from my kids… I don’t think I ever remember them stomping their feet, walking out and saying… “No Fair”.

    Report Post » greg4fitness  
  • blackhawk56
    Posted on March 1, 2011 at 8:50pm

    I’m not worried about the Governor “kicking the can down the road”, I want to see the people of Wisconsin to start the process of “Kicking your childish, immature A$$E$ out of office. Thru whatever
    means that they can legally come up with , I want to see your all’s A$$E$ pay a heavy price for this to show you mega freakin morons just who the hell the boss really is, and dare you to say something, just really dare you

    Report Post »  
  • mary12153
    Posted on March 1, 2011 at 8:27pm

    The problem with the unions is Governor Scott Walker is saying Wisconsin WILL NO LONGER assist in the mandatory deduction of union dues from the public union workers paycheck. If union workers want to belong to the union, they can pay their union dues directly. The State of Wisconsin will no longer be required to collect the damned dues for it to be sent to the democrat party!

    Report Post »  
    • katiefrankie
      Posted on March 2, 2011 at 10:03am

      I hope this happens right away. Mandatory deduction of union dues for anyone in the public sector, whether or not they want to belong to a union, is akin to extortion! Let’s make this a Right-To-Work state!

      Report Post » katiefrankie  
  • Devil Dog 7175
    Posted on March 1, 2011 at 7:23pm

    Use this to your advantage!!!
    1. You must present a VALID birth certificate to run for president in a Wisconsin election.
    2. You must own a gun in this state.
    3. You must go through an extensive background check to prove citizenship or LEGAL alien status to be employed.
    4. You must speak english to get a drivers license.
    And on and on…
    Comon guys, this is your opportunity to get a lot of good done!

    Report Post » Devil Dog 7175  
  • Dumbsht
    Posted on March 1, 2011 at 5:32pm

    Stick to your guns Gov. it is the only chance for fiscal responsibility. Unions have been the demise of many businesses all over the US….now our very government is threatened.

    When police refuse to obey orders because of union affiliations we are no longer a nation of laws.

    I do understand that unions were, and still, in some form, needed as all men (including union members and leaders) are out to get as much as they can……but when they are a main cause for economic collapse something has to change.

    If it were true that the ideal of whole earth united under equal labor laws, that would be one thing Possibly not a good thing), but the unions have had over 100 years to pull that off and not done it. So until that is accomplished, they have to roll with the punches just as the rest of us are.

    Especially when the punch is powered by their refusal to work with the real time situation.

    Report Post »  
  • AquaBuddha
    Posted on March 1, 2011 at 5:31pm

    If You back down now you will be the loser, bottom line. Hold Your ground. Actually You need to start the layoffs and blame it own those who caused it, the coward liberals in hiding. You had the balls to start this now do the right thing and finish it. We are all proud of You!

    Report Post »  
  • patriotwoman
    Posted on March 1, 2011 at 5:11pm

    I really don’t understand why Governor Walker has waited this long. The man has the patience of a saint.

    Personally I would have started the lay-off process three days after the Fleebaggers left the state. I would have cut off all the Fleebaggers state credit cards, cell phones and expense accounts and asked for the people to start recall petitions for their offices. I would have held their paychecks in an escrow account that would only release funds on their completion of the legislative term.

    Any teachers who didn’t return to work immediately should have been fired. These union members, protesters and Fleebaggers should be given no quarter on anything. Time’s up!

    Report Post »  
  • dontbotherme
    Posted on March 1, 2011 at 5:07pm

    Please Governor Walker, don’t back down. The majority of the country is sitting on the edge of our seats waiting. Your decisions will determine if our Republic will stand or if we are to be bullied into a “dictatorship” run by union thugs.

    Report Post »  
  • kole
    Posted on March 1, 2011 at 3:46pm

    Lead Governor Walker, stay focused on your state. Don’t let the insults sway your decisions. 49 states are watching and praying for you. Very sorry you have to be the first to take a stand, but remember this, America is proud of you!

    Report Post »  
  • Jackson
    Posted on March 1, 2011 at 3:19pm

    Shouldn’t the Seanator debate that in Madison? Coward!

    Report Post » Jackson  
    • Dumbsht
      Posted on March 1, 2011 at 5:39pm

      Can‘t debate when un democratic cowards aren’t in the room. Impeach the imbeciles.

      Report Post »  
  • WebDumpGarbage
    Posted on March 1, 2011 at 3:18pm

    Governor Walker,

    Please do not cower to those mindless fools. Reign in your state and set the example for the Union, or what is left of it…

    Report Post »  
    • proudconservative
      Posted on March 1, 2011 at 5:29pm

      I would start firing teachers, start cutting out all kinds of sacred cows out of the budget that Dems want and hold them personally responsible. Hopefully the voters will get those yellow bellied Democratic cowards recalled as they are not deserving to hold a job of any kind.

      Report Post »  

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