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msnbc.com...
Wis. governor refuses
to budge on budget bill
Walker warns of 1,500 layoffs if collective-bargaining end isn’t passed
soon
MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker said Monday afternoon he
won’t negotiate over his plan to strip most collective bargaining
rights from nearly every public employee as he works to plug a $3.6
billion hole in the state budget.
Walker said at a news conference in his conference room in the Capitol,
where thousands have been demonstrating against his plan for a week,
that he won’t accept any compromises.
Democrats and the unions say they would accept an increase in the cost
of benefits, but not removal of collective bargaining rights. Walker
rejected that idea.
Senate Democrats skipped town Thursday and said they won’t return
unless Walker is willing to make concessions on his bill.
“For those 14 Senate Democrats, you’ve had your time,” Walker said.
“Now it’s time to come home.”
Walker warned that at least 1,500 layoffs could result if Democrats
don’t return and the bill is not passed soon.
The newly elected Republican blamed most of the state’s budget woes on
previous budgets passed by his Democratic predecessor and majority.
Walker’s afternoon press conference echoed comments aired Monday
morning that he made to msnbc’s Chuck Todd.
Walker in the interview called his bill “incredibly fair” and said it
would help the state avoid sweeping job cuts.
On day seven of the continuing protests against the bill at the
Wisconsin Capitol, Walker insisted it was not political and was
designed to make savings to help balance the budget.
“We’re broke. Like nearly every other state across the country, we have
a major deficit,” he told Todd on The Daily Rundown program.
Walker said removing some collective bargaining rights would save money
and help stop people being laid off.
Read the story and view video clip at msnbc.com
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