2011 Wisconsin protests

Coordinates: 43°4′29.6″N 89°23′8″W / 43.074889°N 89.38556°W / 43.074889; -89.38556
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by ClueBot NG (talk | contribs) at 17:48, 3 March 2011 (Reverting possible vandalism by Poke1103 to version by MelanieN. False positive? Report it. Thanks, ClueBot NG. (324680) (Bot)). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

2011 Wisconsin protests
Part of 2011 United States public employee protests
Overhead view of hundreds of people wearing red for the Teacher's union, protesting against Walker's bill.
Thousands gather inside Madison Wisconsin's Capitol rotunda to protest Governor Walker's proposed bill.
DateFebruary 14, 2011 (2011-02-14)ongoing
Location
43°4′29.6″N 89°23′8″W / 43.074889°N 89.38556°W / 43.074889; -89.38556
Caused byOpposition to certain provisions in legislation proposed by Governor Scott Walker to address a projected $3.6 billion budget shortfall.
MethodsProtest, Sit in, Demonstrations
StatusOngoing
Parties
Lead figures
Number
Protesters: 100,000+[3]
Counter Protesters: Several Thousands[4]
Casualties and losses
Arrests:
Injuries:
Deaths:
9+[5][6]
0
0

The 2011 Wisconsin protests are a series of on-going demonstrations in the state of Wisconsin in the United States involving tens of thousands of protestors, union members, students, citizens and other tax payers.[7][8] The protests center in and around the State Capitol, located in Madison, with smaller protests in Milwaukee and Green Bay. Students have also held protests at various college campuses, mainly UW-Madison and UW-Milwaukee.

The protests began on February 15, 2011 in opposition to certain provisions in legislation[9] proposed by Republican Governor Scott Walker to address a projected $3.6 billion budget shortfall.[7] The legislation would require state employees to contribute 5.8% of their salaries to cover pension costs, contribute 12.6% towards their health care premiums, and would weaken collective bargaining rights for most public employee union members. Collective bargaining is the major focus of the protests; union leaders offered to accept the increased cost of benefits if the governor would drop the restrictions on collective bargaining, but Walker refused to negotiate with labor leaders.[10]

Groups of protesters have been occupying the Wisconsin Capitol building since the protests began. The protests made national and world news, and President Barack Obama criticized the proposed legislation as "an assault on unions".[11] Journalists, politicians, and political commentators noted the Middle East and North African protests as an inspiration for the Wisconsin protests.[12][13][14][15][16]

Background

An NBC News article by John Bailey claimed that tax cuts enacted in 2003 by the Wisconsin Legislature have resulted in an “$800 million-per-year reduction in tax revenues."[17] In January 2011, the state legislature passed a series of bills providing additional tax cuts and deductions for businesses at “a two-year cost of $67 million.”[18] In early February, the Walker administration projected a budget shortfall in 2013 (Wisconsin functions on two-year budgets) of $3.6 billion.[19] and found that a budget repair bill to resolve a $137 million shortfall for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2011 was also needed.[19] The protests and demonstrations began following Walker's introduction of the budget repair bill on February 11, 2011.

The Walker-backed bill would require higher pension and health insurance contributions and remove collective bargaining rights except for wages, which would be limited to be not greater than the Consumer Price Index."[7][20] (According to David Cay Johnston, Wisconsin state employers currently pay 5% of employee wages into their pension under the principle of Deferred compensation.[21][22][23][24][25])The bargaining changes would exempt the unions of public safety officers, including police, firefighters, and state troopers.[26] Walker has stated without the cuts, thousands of state workers would have to be laid off over the first half of 2011.

Other proposals within the budget repair bill have generated controversy. One proposal seeks to diminish legislative oversight over the implementation of, and eligibility requirements for, state Medicaid programs.[27] Also generating controversy is a proposal to separate the flagship University of Wisconsin–Madison campus from the rest of the University of Wisconsin System.[28]

Two days after the protests began in Wisconsin, the protests spread to Columbus, Ohio over similar legislation.[29]

At 1:00 a.m. on February 25, the Wisconsin State Assembly passed the budget repair bill in a sudden vote. The vote took place so quickly that less than half of the Democratic representatives were able to vote, despite being in the room. Four Republican reps voted against the bill.[30]

Protests

Thousands gather outside of the Wisconsin Capitol building to protest Governor Walker's bill. The gathering is estimated at 70,000 to 100,000 people.[31]
Demonstrators in steadily falling snow outside of the Wisconsin Capitol building.

On February 14, teaching and project assistants from the University of Wisconsin-Madison distributed "We ♥ UW: Don't Break My ♥" Valentine cards to the governor, as a means of protesting against the bill’s negative impacts on working conditions at the university.[32]

On February 15, tens of thousands of protesters demonstrated in the state capital Madison[29][33] regarding the proposed legislation's limitations on collective bargaining for and against Walker's bill.[34] "Kill the Bill" remained one of the main slogans of protests.[35] That same day, union members and students took part of public hearings with the presence of senators and representatives from both parties, that lasted 17 hours; even though some defenders of the bill expressed their position, most of the participants were against the bill.[36]

By February 16, the number of protesters in front of the Wisconsin State Capitol was estimated at 30,000.[37]

On February 17, about 25,000 people continued the protest.[29] Teachers and workers occupied the Senate chambers.[38] On the same day, the protests spread to a capital city in another US state, Columbus, Ohio, where about 3,800 protesters demonstrated against a similar bill to "eliminate collective bargaining" being considered by the Ohio legislature.[29] According to Mike Lux, some of the protesters in the two states carried Egyptian flags, indicating their Egyptian revolution inspiration.[39] Ed Schultz of MSNBC's The Ed Show appeared live in Madison February 17 and 18 live outside the Capitol.[40] Jesse Jackson attended protests at the Capitol on February 18.[41]

The number of protesters in Madison grew to over 70,000 on February 19, including some who supported Walker's plan.[42][43] Some protesters carried signs comparing Walker to Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini, Hosni Mubarak and a terrorist, and accusing him of "raping" public employees. Most protest signs, however, criticized the proposed bill's elimination of collective bargaining rights for public employees.[44][45] UW Health has launched an investigation into whether any of its physicians were involved in writing fraudulent sick notes for protest attendees.[46]

Protest techniques continuing February 20 included a physical occupation of the Capitol building, including an information center, a sleeping area and homemade signs.[47] On February 20, a union organizer participating in the protests said that the protests would continue "as long as it takes".[47] Other union leaders called for teachers to return to work.[47] On February 26, once again, between 70,000 and 100,000 protested the proposed budget in Madison. They were joined by thousands at state capitals around the nation.[31] Out of state Union supporters continued to join the protests to show their support, with hundreds of protesters being bused by the New York Teamsters.[48]

On February 27, it was reported by the media that Republican State Senator Dale Schultz would not vote for the bill.[49] However, Schultz has refused to personally let his intentions be known regarding the bill;[50] he had previously attempted a compromise budget plan which was rejected by Governor Walker.[51]

Recall efforts

On March 2, the Wisconsin Democratic party decided to officially support grassroots efforts to recall Republican state senators. Eight Wisconsin Republican senators are eligible for recall: Robert Cowles, Alberta Darling, Sheila Harsdorf, Luther Olsen, Randy Hopper, Glenn Grothman, Mary Lazich and Dan Kapanke.[52] Hopper won by .2% (184 votes), Darling by 1% (1,007 votes), and Kapanke by 2.9%.[53][54]

Republicans have also targeted recalling the Wisconsin 14, but the state party has not announced its stance on the issue.[55] Wisconsin law requires an official to be in office for at least a year before becoming eligible for recall; hence, Governor Walker cannot be recalled until 2012.[56]

Criticism

Supporters of the bill accused demonstrators of thwarting democratically elected representatives from voting on a bill that has mixed support among polls. For example, conservative columnist David Brooks wrote in the New York Times that "[i]t’s the Democratic minority that is thwarting the majority will by fleeing to Illinois."[57] Brooks opined that private sector unions push against the interests of shareholders and management while "public sector unions push against the interests of taxpayers." He also writes that private sector union members "know that their employers could go out of business, so they have an incentive to mitigate their demands; public sector union members work for state monopolies and have no such interest."[58]

Wisconsin 14

In another form of protest, the 14 Democratic members of the Wisconsin State Senate left the state of Wisconsin and traveled to Illinois in order to delay a vote on the bill.[59] With only 19 Republican members, the Senate would not have the 20 Senators required for a quorum in order to vote on the bill, since it is a fiscal bill.[29][60] On February 20, all 14 Senate Democrats announced they were staying in Illinois indefinitely.[59][61] However, the provision that the protests center around—the stripping of collective bargaining rights—could technically still be passed as a separate bill even in the absence of the Senate Democrats, since it is a non-fiscal issue; there are no plans to do that now.[62]

In a possible lure to get the 14 Democratic Senators to return, the Wisconsin legislature has reported they will try to pass a bill that would require citizens to have some form of voter identification to vote. Democrats strongly oppose the bill, but because there are no Democratic senators to defend their position, the bill was expected to pass the Senate easily.[63] On February 24, 2011, the Republicans in the Senate moved the voter ID provision past the amendable stage but were unable to take a final vote on it because it spends money for free ID's to comply with federal constitutional requirements.[64] As a fiscal provision, the voter ID bill would require the same quorum currently denied over the main budget bill.[65]

Walker has tried other methods to get the Wisconsin 14 to return to the state: he said that if the bill was not passed by February 25, 1,500 state workers would be laid off.[66] That deadline passed without incident. On February 27, he announced a new deadline of March 1.[67] That deadline also passed without incident. The State Senate Majority Leader, Scott Fitzgerald, proposed that all Democratic staffers should lose access to the copy machines if their representative was absent without leave for two days or more, forcing staffers to pay for printing themselves.[68] Similarly, Senators now no longer receive their wages via direct deposit if they are AWOL for two days or more. Instead, they will have to collect them in person.[69] On March 2, Senate Republicans voted to fine members who are AWOL for two days or more $100 per day of absence.[70] As of March 3, the Wisconsin 14 remain in Illinois.[71]

Governor Walker prank call

On February 23, 2011, Buffalo Beast editor Ian Murphy placed a prank telephone call[72] to Walker claiming to be David Koch, a union opponent[73] and one of Walker's largest corporate supporters.[74]

Walker's office later confirmed that the recording of the call was genuine, and stated, "The phone call shows that the Governor says the same thing in private as he does in public and the lengths that others will go to disrupt the civil debate Wisconsin is having."[75] Several local public officials, including Madison Mayor David Cieslewicz,[76][77] expressed concern that Walker's comments could be considered ethics violations. The Society of Professional Journalists condemned the Beast, calling its actions "underhanded and unethical."[78]

In the aftermath of the call, Senate Democrats refused requests from Governor Walker to return to Wisconsin and negotiate a compromise. Many of the Senators characterized their wariness as a consequence of the fake call. During the call, Walker had discussed getting the Democrats to return, purportedly to negotiate regarding the bill, but actually in order to obtain a quorum.[79][80] Instead, the Wisconsin 14 remain in Illinois as of March 2, attempting to negotiate a deal without returning to the state.[81]

Public opinion

A USA Today/Gallup Poll found that 61% of Americans would oppose a law similar to the Wisconsin bill in their state while 33% were for it.[82] A similar New York Times/CBS Poll found that 60% of Americans opposed restricting collective bargaining while 33% were for it. The poll also found that 56% of Americans opposed reducing pay of public employees compared to 37%, that 61% thought that public employees salaries and benefits were either "about right" or "too low", and that 62% thought that public employees salaries and benefits were either "about right" or "too high".[83] The details were 26% thought pay and benefits were too high, 25% thought too low, and 36% thought about right. However, Mark Tapscott of the Washington Examiner criticized the poll, accusing it of over-sampling union and public employee households.[84]

A nationwide Rasmussen poll found that a majority (67%) of likely voters disapproved of the tactics of the 14 Democratic Senators, with only 25% approving. Another Rasmussen poll showed that 47% of likely voters supported Walker, while only 37% supported the pro-union protesters.[85] However, polling analyst Nate Silver criticized methodology of the Rasmussen polls in his New York Times blog, arguing that Rasmussen's question followed two questions likely to make subjects think badly of public unions.[86]

A Pulse Opinion Research poll conducted of likely Wisconsin voters found that 56% support collective bargaining rights for public employees with 32% opposed. In the same poll, approval and disapproval for the bill was split at 50%–50% while 49% supported the protesters and 48% opposed them.[87]

A Public Policy Polling poll of Wisconsin voters found that given a chance to vote in a rematch between Walker and 2010 Democratic nominee Tom Barrett, Walker would have lost 45%–52% (in the actual election, Walker won 52–46%.).[88] The poll's analysis characterized the shift as the result of changing opinions due to the budget protests. Public Policy Polling (PPP) is an American Democratic Party-affiliated polling firm based in Raleigh, North Carolina.[89][90][91]

Effects

As of February 17, 2011, the Madison Metropolitan School District had canceled classes for a duration of four days because of expected staff absences.[92][needs update] In addition, numerous districts across the state for various numbers of days closed due to protests including Milwaukee, La Crosse, Beaver Dam, Columbus, DeForest, Edgerton, Juda, Lodi, Marshall, McFarland, Middleton-Cross Plains, Mineral Point, Monona Grove, Mount Horeb, Oregon, Reedsburg, River Valley, Sauk Prairie, Stoughton, Sun Prairie, Verona, Watertown and Waunakee.[93][full citation needed]

Two days after the protests began, the protests spread to Columbus, Ohio over similar legislation.[29]

Similar protests also occurred at the Nevada State Capitol in Carson City on February 21, 2011 and at the Utah State Capitol in Salt Lake City on February 26, 2011.

The Wisconsin Legislature stated they would continue passing non-budget items with no Democratic opposition in the Senate starting on February 22.

Police actions

Although unable to cross state lines into Illinois, Wisconsin State Patrol officers have reportedly been sent to round up the missing Democratic state senators who fled the State Capitol building and to return them to the Capitol to obtain a quorum.[37] Walker said that he would call the National Guard, a military reserve force in the U.S., to handle positions in state departments such as prisons in case of an eventual labor walk-out.[94]

Responses

Domestic

Politicians

  • U.S. President Barack Obama, said that taking away bargaining rights seemed like "an assault on unions."[11]
  • Former Republican U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich, who helped launch Walker's gubernatorial campaign, called the debate a "profound struggle between the right of the people to govern themselves and the power of entrenched, selfish interests to stop reforms and defy the will of the people."[95]
  • The protests have been compared to the 2011 Egyptian revolution by both Democratic Representatives such as John Lewis,[13] and Republican Representatives, such as Paul Ryan.[38] Mike Lux, a political consultant, stated that "the pictures we are seeing and the story playing out in Wisconsin is like Egypt in some really important ways. The new mass militancy of union members, students, and other allies of the maligned teachers, social workers, cops, firefighters, and other public employees being attacked and threatened by the governor is not a manufactured thing, it is a mass movement spreading like wildfire, building in momentum day by day."[39]
  • Arne Carlson, a former Republican governor of neighboring Minnesota, criticized Walker for the bill provision allowing for the no-bid sale of state-owned energy facilities, and for his actions regarding the fake call.[96]

Religious figures

Political associations

  • The Heritage Foundation's policy analyst James Sherk wrote in support of Walker's budget plan, "Gov. Walker's plan reasserts voter control over government policy. Voters' elected representatives should decide how the government spends their taxes. More states should heed the AFL-CIO Executive Council's 1959 advice: 'in terms of accepted collective bargaining procedures, government workers have no right beyond the authority to petition Congress—a right available to every citizen.'"[99] The Heritage Foundation is a conservative think tank.
  • Americans for Prosperity president Tim Phillips went to Madison to "voice praise for cutting state spending by slashing union benefits and bargaining rights [and to address] a large group of counterprotesters." Phillips also said: "We are going to bring fiscal sanity back to this great nation. ... This is a watershed moment in Wisconsin.... For the last two decades, government unions have used their power to drive pensions and benefits and salaries well beyond anything that can be sustained. We are just trying to change that."[100] The group planned an ad campaign in support of Gov. Walker's initiatives.[101] AFP is a conservative pro-Republican organization.
  • CREW (Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington), a non-partisan watchdog group,[102] [dead link] states that Walker violated Wisconsin law by unlawfully sending state troopers in search of a missing legislator, as well as possibly conspiring with the State Patrol superintendent (the father of the Republican Senate Majority Leader, who was appointed by Walker) in order to do so.[103] Their sentiments have been echoed by other nonpartisan watchdog groups, both local (such as Wisconsin Common Cause[104]) and national (such as the Public Campaign Action Fund [105] ), who have requested that state authorities review Walker's conduct in the fake call to determine whether he had violated ethics/campaign laws. CREW is funded by the Democracy Alliance, which funds liberal advocacy groups and Democratic think tanks.[106] CREW's CEO, Melanie Sloan, served as counsel for John Conyers and Charles Schumer. [107]

Unions

  • An ad created by advisers to the national AFL-CIO, SEIU, and AFSCME unions and paid for by the Wisconsin AFL-CIO was launched. The ad featured "Racine firefighter Mike DeGarmo proclaiming solidarity between firefighters (who, like police officers, are exempt from Walker's proposal) and other public employees. ... A spokesman for the national AFL-CIO, Eddie Vale, says [the ad]'s supported by a 'significant statewide buy.'"[108]

Entertainers

International

  • On February 21, Morello said "[f]riends and unions in Brazil and in Korea—the whole world is watching"; and that he had "even heard from a principal organizer of the protests in Cairo about what's happening in Madison."[109]
  • John Tarrett and a crew from Al Jazeera English TV arrived on February 19. "I think this dovetails very nicely with our reporting on Egypt and Bahrain, and now Libya—where ordinary people are standing up saying enough is enough," Tarrett was quoted as saying.[109]
  • Piotr Duda, president of the Polish trade union Solidarity, released a statement on behalf of the 700,000-strong union in support of the Wisconsin protesters. Solidarity's protests in the 1980s forced the then-Warsaw Pact government to the negotiating table, resulting in semi-free elections and the end of Communism in Poland. [110]

References

  1. ^ Smith, Ben (2011-02-17). "DNC Playing Role in Wisconsin Protests". Politico. Retrieved 2011-03-01.
  2. ^ Terkel, Amanda (2011-02-17). "DNC Expands Role in Labor Protests to Ohio, Indiana". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 2011-03-01.
  3. ^ Inside Capitol, Wisconsin protesters create a city | Reuters
  4. ^ http://www.startribune.com/nation/116988598.html
  5. ^ 9 Arrests on Day 3 of Wisconsin Protests
  6. ^ 9 arrested in third day of labor protests in Madison | The Oshkosh Northwestern | thenorthwestern.com
  7. ^ a b c "Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker says National Guard ready for any unrest over anti-union bill". Green Bay Press-Gazette. 2011-02-11.
  8. ^ Hall, Mike (2011-02-15). "Wisconsin Students Rally to Side of State Workers | AFL-CIO NOW BLOG". Blog.aflcio.org. Retrieved 2011-02-28.
  9. ^ http://legis.wisconsin.gov/2011/data/JR1SB-11.pdf
  10. ^ Washington Post, February 21, 2001
  11. ^ a b "Obama On Wisconsin Budget Protests: 'An Assault On Unions'". abcnews.com. February 17, 2011.
  12. ^ "Rep. Paul Ryan compares Wisconsin protests to Cairo - On Politics: Covering the US Congress, Governors, and the 2012 Election - USATODAY.com". Content.usatoday.com. 2011-02-17. Retrieved 2011-02-28.
  13. ^ a b "Cheddar revolution? Glenn Beck vs. Jon Stewart on Middle East-Wisconsin comparisons". CSMonitor.com. 2011-02-23. Retrieved 2011-02-28.
  14. ^ "Cairo Lends Support to the Protestors in Wisconsin — With Pizza – TIME NewsFeed". Newsfeed.time.com. 2011-02-21. Retrieved 2011-02-28.
  15. ^ Post Store. "Harold Meyerson – Workers toppled a dictator in Egypt, but might be silenced in Wisconsin". Washingtonpost.com. Retrieved 2011-02-28.
  16. ^ Dave Zirin. "Green Bay Packers Sound Off Against Gov. Scott 'Hosni' Walker". The Nation. Retrieved 2011-02-28.
  17. ^ Bailey, John (February 18, 2011) “Wisconsin: How we got here.” NBC News
  18. ^ "Wisconsin Legislature passes tax cut". Associated Press. 2011-01-25.
  19. ^ a b "State's 2-year budget deficit grows to $3.6 billion". JSOnline. 2011-02-07. Retrieved 2011-02-28.
  20. ^ "Fake' Sick Notes Given to Wisconsin Protesters Amid Anti-Union Bill Faceoff". FOX News. February 19, 2011. Retrieved February 20, 2011.
  21. ^ Newlin, Eliza (2011-02-24). "Wisconsin Budget Coverage Suffers from Bad Reporting, Tax Journalist Writes – Friday, February 25, 2011". NationalJournal.com. Retrieved 2011-02-28.
  22. ^ "The Contribution Scam - NYTimes.com". Krugman.blogs.nytimes.com. Retrieved 2011-02-28.
  23. ^ "The truth about pensions | San Francisco Bay Guardian". Sfbg.com. 2011-02-24. Retrieved 2011-02-28.
  24. ^ "Really Bad Reporting in Wisconsin: Who 'Contributes' to Public Workers' Pensions?". tax.com. Retrieved 2011-02-28.
  25. ^ Ungar, Rick (2011-02-22). "The Wisconsin Lie Exposed – Taxpayers Actually Contribute Nothing To Public Employee Pensions – Rick Ungar – The Policy Page – Forbes". Blogs.forbes.com. Retrieved 2011-02-28.
  26. ^ Trottman, Melanie (February 14, 2011). "Public-Worker Unions Steel for Budget Fights". The Wall Street Journal.
  27. ^ Wahlberg, David (February 20, 2011). "Medicaid looms as next big budget battle". Wisconsin State Journal.
  28. ^ Ramde, Dinesh "University of Wisconsin leaders oppose Gov. Scott Walker's plan to spin off Madison school", Green Bay Press-Gazette, February 26, 2011
  29. ^ a b c d e f Niquette, Mark (2011-02-18). "Public Worker Protests Spread From Wisconsin to Ohio". Bloomberg. Archived from the original on 2011-02-18. Retrieved 2011-02-18. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  30. ^ Benson, Charles (2011-02-22). "Capitol Chaos: Assembly Passes Repair Bill | Today's TMJ4 – Milwaukee, Wisconsin News, Weather, Sports, WTMJ | Local News". Todaystmj4.com. Retrieved 2011-02-28.
  31. ^ a b Abby Sewell (February 27, 2011). "Protesters out in force nationwide to oppose Wisconsin's anti-union bill". Los Angeles Times.
  32. ^ DEBORAH ZIFF (2011-02-14). "On Campus: UW-Madison students to Walker: "Don't Break My ♥"". Host.madison.com. Retrieved 2011-02-28. {{cite web}}: Text "608-252-6234" ignored (help); Text "dziff@madison.com" ignored (help)
  33. ^ "PBudget battle Day 6: Smaller group of protesters begin Sunday march". Milwaukee Journal Seninel. 2011-02-20. Retrieved 2011-02-20.
  34. ^ "Ideologies clash in Wisconsin: Competing protests draw thousands in flashpoint US state over bid to roll back pay and union rights of government staff". aljazeera. 2011-02-20.
  35. ^ CLAY BARBOUR (2011-02-16). "Thousands gather at Capitol to protest Walker budget bill". Host.madison.com. Retrieved 2011-02-28. {{cite web}}: Text "608-252-6129" ignored (help); Text "cbarbour@madison.com" ignored (help)
  36. ^ STEPHANIE JONES stephanie.jones@journaltimes.com (2011-02-15). "Hearing day in Madison: Hundreds come to testify on budget bill". Journaltimes.com. Retrieved 2011-02-28.
  37. ^ a b Shapiro, Lila (2011-02). "Wisconsin Protests: State Police Pursue Democratic Lawmakers Boycotting Vote". Huffington Post. Archived from the original on 2011-02-18. Retrieved 2011-02-18. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  38. ^ a b Camia, Catalina (2011-02-17). "Rep. Paul Ryan compares Wisconsin protests to Cairo". USA Today. Archived from the original on 2011-02-18. Retrieved 2011-02-18. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  39. ^ a b Lux, Mike (2011-02-18). "Egypt, Wisconsin, and the Future of Our Democracy". Huffington Post. Archived from the original on 2011-02-18. Retrieved 2011-02-18. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  40. ^ "The Ed Schultz Show : News". Wegoted.com. Retrieved 2011-02-28.
  41. ^ "Wisconsin Protests: Day 4 Roundup". Myfoxtwincities.com. 2011-02-18. Retrieved 2011-02-28.
  42. ^ Press, Associated (2011-02-19). "Police estimate Wis. Capitol protest crowd at 70,000 – WITI". Fox6now.com. Retrieved 2011-02-28.
  43. ^ "Upwards of 70,000 rally at state Capitol – WKOW 27: Madison, WI Breaking News, Weather and Sports". Wkow.com. Retrieved 2011-02-28.
  44. ^ "Paging Mainstream Media: Union Protests Rife With Hitler Signs – Union Protests – Fox Nation". Nation.foxnews.com. 2011-02-21. Retrieved 2011-02-28.
  45. ^ Stromberg, Stephen (2011-02-18). "PostPartisan – Wisconsin's governor is not Hitler". Voices.washingtonpost.com. Retrieved 2011-02-28.
  46. ^ DAVID WAHLBERG (2011-02-22). "State, UW Health investigate doctors who wrote sick notes for protesters". Host.madison.com. Retrieved 2011-02-28. {{cite web}}: Text "608-252-6125" ignored (help); Text "dwahlberg@madison.com" ignored (help)
  47. ^ a b c Davey, Monica (2011-02-20). "Protesters in Wisconsin Say They Are Staying Put". New York Times. Archived from the original on 2011-02-21. Retrieved 2011-02-22. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  48. ^ SIEMASZKO, CORKY (February 21, 2011). "New York's Teamsters Local 237 to bus in support to union protestors in Wisconsin". New York Daily News. Retrieved 2011-03-02.
  49. ^ "State Capitol building closed, budget protesters not moving | Appleton Post Crescent". postcrescent.com. 2010-10-14. Retrieved 2011-02-28. {{cite web}}: Text "APC-News" ignored (help); Text "text" ignored (help); Text "topnews" ignored (help)
  50. ^ http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_0617e9ac-43a9-11e0-941d-001cc4c002e0.html
  51. ^ WUWM: News – Walker Rejects GOP Senator's Proposed Compromise
  52. ^ https://voices.washingtonpost.com/plum-line/2011/03/breaking_wisconsin_dems_throw.html
  53. ^ http://www.swingstateproject.com/diary/8405/wisconsin-presidential-results-by-state-senate-district
  54. ^ BREAKING: Wisconsin Voters Launch Recall Campaign Against Eight GOP State Senators
  55. ^ http://www.wausaudailyherald.com/article/20110228/WDH0101/102280430/Utah-group-targets-8-Democrats-for-recall
  56. ^ http://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php/Laws_governing_recall_in_Wisconsin
  57. ^ "David Brooks: We're hostages of powerful public-sector unions". Daytondailynews.com. 2010-10-12. Retrieved 2011-02-28.
  58. ^ "Government Unions Have Not Benefited the Public". RealClearPolitics. 2011-02-23. Retrieved 2011-02-28.
  59. ^ a b "In Illinois, Wisconsin Senate Democrats vow unity". JSOnline. 2011-02-20. Retrieved 2011-02-28.
  60. ^ UPDATE 1-Wisconsin gov. sees Democrats returning to debate plan Feb 20, 2011 Reuters
  61. ^ "Wisconsin Democratic Senators: We're Staying In Illinois Until Gov. Walker Agrees To Negotiate". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 2011-02-28.
  62. ^ Boyle, Matthew (2011-02-21). "Wisconsin Teacher Unions | Senate Could End Collective Bargaining Without Dems | The Daily Caller – Breaking News, Opinion, Research, and Entertainment". The Daily Caller. Retrieved 2011-02-28.
  63. ^ "Wisconsin Republicans Try to Lure Back Dems by Moving Controversial Voter ID Bill". FoxNews.com. 2010-04-07. Retrieved 2011-02-28.
  64. ^ "Senate gives preliminary approval to photo ID bill". JSOnline. 2011-02-24. Retrieved 2011-02-28.
  65. ^ The Badger Herald: Senate puts voter ID bill beyond amendable stage
  66. ^ "Deadline looms for debt restructuring plan". Wisconsin State Journal. 2011-02-25. Retrieved 2011-03-02.
  67. ^ "Budget stalemate as strong as ever". JSOnline. 2011-02-27. Retrieved 2011-03-02.
  68. ^ "Wisconsin GOP Leader Targets Democratic Senate Staffers' Access to Copy Machines". The Huffington Post. 2011-02-28. Retrieved 2011-03-02.
  69. ^ "Missing Wisconsin state senators lose direct-deposit paychecks". Green Bay Press Gazette. 2011-02-22. Retrieved 2011-03-02.
  70. ^ "Wis. Senate GOPers Vote To Fine Fugitive Dems $100 Per Day". Talking Points Memo. 2011-03-02. Retrieved 2011-03-02.
  71. ^ "WI 14 Remain AWOL". Public News Service. 2011-03-01. Retrieved 2011-03-02.
  72. ^ By Stephen T. Watson. "It's 'gotcha' as local Web provocateur fools a governor – Politics". The Buffalo News. Retrieved 2011-02-28.
  73. ^ Peter Overby (2011-02-25). "Billionaire Brothers In Spotlight In Wis. Union Battle". National Public Radio.
  74. ^ https://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/22/us/22koch.html
  75. ^ Sargent, Greg (2011-02-23). "The Plum Line – Governor Walker's office confirms prank Koch call". Voices.washingtonpost.com. Retrieved 2011-02-28.
  76. ^ John Nichols (2011-02-24). "Cieslewicz rebukes Walker for talk of disrupting demonstrations". Host.madison.com. Retrieved 2011-02-28.
  77. ^ Dee J. Hall. "Madison police chief, mayor ask governor to explain 'troubling' statements". Host.madison.com. Retrieved 2011-02-28. {{cite web}}: Text "608-252-6132" ignored (help)
  78. ^ Romenesko, Jim (2011-02-23). "SPJ scolds Buffalo Beast for call to Wisconsin governor | Poynter". Poynter. Retrieved 2011-02-28.
  79. ^ Democrats Wary Of Meeting Walker After Prank Call – Madison News Story – WISC Madison
  80. ^ Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker Issues Ultimatum to Democrats – WSJ.com
  81. ^ Wisconsin's Democratic senators work from afar for deal | Duluth News Tribune | Duluth, Minnesota
  82. ^ "Public favors union rights". USAToday. February 23, 2011.
  83. ^ "Majority in Poll Back Employees In Public Unions". New York Times. February 28, 2011.
  84. ^ Tapscott, Mark (March 1, 2011). "CBS News/New York Times survey oversampled union households". Washington Examiner. Retrieved March 2, 2011.
  85. ^ "Public do not approve of legislator tactics". February 24, 2011. {{cite news}}: Text "publisher Rasmussen" ignored (help)
  86. ^ Silver, Nate (February 21, 2011). "Rasmussen Poll on Wisconsin Dispute May Be Biased". The New York Times. Retrieved February 27, 2011.
  87. ^ "New poll: Wisconsinites split on Walker's budget proposal". February 24, 2011. {{cite news}}: Text "publisher Wisconsin Reporter" ignored (help)
  88. ^ Public Policy Polling: Do over?
  89. ^ Kraushaar, Josh (June 23, 2009). "Poll vs. pol: Richard Burr says numbers lie". Politico. Retrieved November 2, 2009.
  90. ^ Goldsmith, Thomas (October 8, 2009). "'Neighborhood schools' issue tapped anger". The News & Observer. Retrieved November 2, 2009.
  91. ^ Nowicki, Dan (September 27, 2009). "Arizonans split down the middle on Obama". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved November 2, 2009.
  92. ^ "State Democrats absent for vote as Wisconsin budget protests swell". CNN. February 17, 2011.
  93. ^ BILL NOVAK (2011-02-17). "Fog and protests closing or delaying dozens of schools". Host.madison.com. Retrieved 2011-02-28. {{cite web}}: Text "The Capital Times" ignored (help); Text "bnovak@madison.com" ignored (help)
  94. ^ Davey, Monica (2011-02-11). "Wisconsin May Take an Ax to State Workers' Benefits and Their Unions". New York Times. Archived from the original on 2011-02-18. Retrieved 2011-02-18. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  95. ^ Help Scott Walker Today, Newt Gingrich, Human Events, Feb. 23, 2011.
  96. ^ Jill Burcum: Arne Carlson criticizes Wisconsin governor's tactics | StarTribune.com
  97. ^ Faith leaders voice support for unions Annysa Johnson Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Feb. 18, 2011
  98. ^ "Daily for Wednesday, February 16, 2011". BizTimes. 2011-02-16. Retrieved 2011-02-28.
  99. ^ FDR Warned Us James Sherk, The Foundry, Feb. 19, 2011.
  100. ^ Lipton, Eric, "Billionaire Brothers’ Money Plays Role in Wisconsin Dispute", The New York Times, February 21, 2011 (February 22, 2011 p. A16 NY ed.). Retrieved 2011-02-22.
  101. ^ Sargent, Greg, "Americans for Prosperity to run ads in Wisconsin", Washington Post Plum Line blog, 02/22/2011 2:50 PM ET. Retrieved 2011-02-22.
  102. ^ https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/13/AR2010081305872.html
  103. ^ "CREW: WI Governor Violated State Law by Sending Troopers After Missing Legislator | CREW | Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington". Citizensforethics.org. Retrieved 2011-02-28.
  104. ^ http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/116772144.html
  105. ^ The Plum Line – Watchdog calls for criminal probe of Governor Walker over prank Koch call
  106. ^ http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/16/AR2006071600882_pf.html
  107. ^ http://www.citizensforethics.org/pages/melanie-sloan
  108. ^ Sargent, Greg, "Unions launch TV ad campaign backing Wisconsin public employees", Washington Post Plum Line blog, 02/22/2011 6:38 AM ET. Retrieved 2011-02-22.
  109. ^ a b c "Madison Protests Get International Attention: Thousands Of Protesters Descend On Capitol", Channel3000, February 22, 2011 2:31 pm CST. Retrieved 2011-02-22.
  110. ^ Drake, Bruce. "Wisconsin Workers Get Support from Poland's Solidarity Trade Union". Politicsdaily.com. Retrieved 2011-02-28.

External links