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      MADISON, Wis. (AP) - Republican backers of Gov. Scott Walker's
plan to eliminate collective bargaining rights for most public
employees are trying to move the explosive proposal closer to
reality, even as Democrats remained on the run and protesters
filled the halls of the Capitol for a second week.

      The Republican-controlled Assembly planned to debate and
possibly vote on the measure Tuesday, but Democrats said they would
offer more than 100 amendments in an attempt to improve the bill or
at least drag it out in the hopes concessions will be made.


      Things are even more chaotic in the Senate, where Democrats have
halted the measure with a dramatic decision not to show up since
Thursday. That has left Republicans, who control the chamber, one
vote shy of the quorum needed to take up the plan.

      Republicans planned to forge ahead with other business Tuesday,
including a resolution honoring the Green Bay Packers for winning
the Super Bowl and a bill extending tax breaks to dairy farmers.
Those bills have bipartisan support, but Senate Majority Leader
Scott Fitzgerald has tried to put pressure on Democrats by
threatening to take up more controversial matters.


      It's a high-stakes game of political chicken that has riveted
the nation and led to ongoing public protests that drew a high of
68,000 people on Saturday. Neither Republicans nor Democrats are
budging: Walker says he won't negotiate, and the 14 missing Senate
Democrats say they won't return until he does.


      Public employees have said they would agree to concessions
Walker wants that would amount to an 8 percent pay cut on average,
but they want to retain their collective bargaining rights. One
Republican senator also has floated an alternative that would make
the elimination of those rights temporary.


      Walker has repeatedly rejected both offers, saying local
governments and school districts can't be hamstrung by the often
lengthy collective bargaining process. He says they need to have
more flexibility to deal with up to $1 billion in cuts he will
propose in his budget next week and into the future.


      As the Senate Democrats have stayed away, Republicans have
accused them of sidestepping their jobs. Fitzgerald said he may
move ahead Tuesday with some contentious issues, such as a
GOP-backed proposal requiring voters to show photo identification
at the polls.


      "You have shut down the people's government, and that is not
acceptable," Fitzgerald said to Democrats during a brief meeting
Monday setting the Senate's agenda for Tuesday. Two Democratic
senators participated in the meeting by phone.


      Democrats counter that the Walker could compromise and put an
end to the stalemate.


      "It's right in front of the governor," Miller said. "He just
needs to pick it up and allow us to move on. ... This is a
no-brainer."


      As Walker spoke under heavy guard at a late Monday afternoon
news conference inside his conference room, thousands of protesters
could be heard through the doors blowing whistles, banging on drums
and chanting "Scott Walker has got to go!"


      "This guy is power drunk and we're here to sober him up," said
Bert Zipperer, 54, a counselor at a Madison middle school who was
among the protesters. "He wants to do it unilaterally without any
compromise. He wants to be a national conservative hero and he
thinks he can get away with this."


      Walker's plan would allow unions representing most public
employees to negotiate only for wage increases, not benefits or
working conditions. Any wage increase above the Consumer Price
Index would have to be approved in a referendum. Unions would face
a vote of membership every year to stay formed, and workers could
opt out of paying dues.


      The emergency plan is meant to address this year's $137 million
shortfall and start dealing with the $3.6 billion hole expected by
mid-2013. The benefits concessions would amount to $30 million this
year, but the largest savings Walker proposed comes from
refinancing debt to save $165 million.


      That portion must be done by Friday for bonds to be refinanced
in time to realize the savings by June 30, the end of this fiscal
year.


      Walker said not passing the bill by Friday would make even
deeper cuts necessary and possibly result in laying off 1,500
workers over the next four months.


      Associated Press writer Ryan J. Foley contributed to this
report.
      
      
      

Gallery

Leader: Wis. Senate to convene without Democrats

Wis. union head calls on teachers to go to work

Wisconsin governor seizes chance to take on unions

Largest crowd yet descends on Wisconsin Capitol

Republican backers of Gov. Scott Walker's
plan to eliminate collective bargaining rights for most public
employees are trying to move the explosive proposal closer to
reality, even as Democrats remained on the run and protesters
filled the halls of the Capitol for a second week.

Neither side budging in Wisconsin union fight

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