Breaking: Wis GOP Passes Union Bill

Last night, the Wisconsin GOP broke the stalemate and passed the bill that strips government unions of their collective bargaining rights. With all the Democrats out of the state and unable to muster the quorum to deal with budget issues, they stripped those out of the bill and passed it. Democrats say they think it's "a trick" and aren't coming home, yet.
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0311/50999.html

Republicans in the Wisconsin state Senate ended their weeks-old stalemate with Democrats on Wednesday night as they used a procedural move to nearly unanimously pass a standalone bill restricting collective bargaining rights for most public-sector unions.

The bill that passed Wednesday separated the union provisions from any measures that spend money, thus eliminating the necessity for a quorum. The legislation quickly moved out of committee and onto the floor of the Senate, where Republicans voted 18-1 to approve it, with just one Republican voting against it.

The standoff is over, the bill is passed and heading to the Governor's desk soon for his signature. Whether you like it or not, Wisconsin government employee unions no longer have the right to bargain collectively for benefits.

The protests will continue, of course.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/41996994/ns/politics-more_politics

Within hours after the Senate passed the bill, a crowd of hundreds of protesters grew to about 7,000 in the Capitol, a crowd as large as any seen inside the building over three weeks of demonstrations.

"The whole world is watching!" protesters shouted as they pressed up against the heavily guarded entrance to the Senate chamber.

Most protesters left by midnight — many were expected back Thursday — but dozens of others spent the night in the Capitol corridors.

Good or bad, it is now a matter of state law. I admit I'm curious about two things, here.

One: When will the AWOL Democrat Senators return to the state and continue doing their jobs? They're getting paid for taking a three week vacation in another state. That's hardly appropriate, children.

Two: When the Senators return, will the GOP controlled Senate make any attempts to punish them in any way for their dereliction of duty?

I can't wait...