Wisconsin Democratic lawmakers face daily fines

Wisconsin Democratic lawmakers face daily fines

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Wisconsin Senate Democrats remain in Illinois to avoid voting on an anti-union bill, even though they now face fines.

Wis. State Sen. Jon Erpenbach is one of 14 Senate Democrats still in Illinois. Democrats fled to Illinois about two weeks ago to avoid voting on a measure that would take away most collective bargaining rights from public employees.

Erpenbach says despite the latest move from the Republicans, Democrats won’t budge.

“The only way to really get us back together as a state and move forward is to try and understand that the public employees have given all the money the governor has asked, and in return they want to be able to collectively bargain,” Erpenbach said.

Senate Republicans approved a plan that requires Democrats to pay a $100 daily fine for every day they stay away. It also requires the absent lawmakers to reimburse the Senate for any costs incurred during attempts to force them to return.