Wisconsin Lawmakers on The Run
By: Alex Shabad
Updated: February 18, 2011
While protesters packed the halls of the Wisconsin state capitol, some of their lawmakers hit the road to Rockford.
"We hit the road. This was not planned in advance," said Senate Minority Leader Mark Miller.
Miller and 13 other Democrats fled Wisconsin for Rockford.
Nine of them stopped here at the Clock Tower Resort and Conference Center. Five others were at an undisclosed location.
"We felt by doing this, we're delaying a vote and people will have more time to talk about the bill," said Senator Jim Holperin.
Without the 14 Democrats, there were not enough lawmakers in Madison to legally vote on a controversial new budget.
Miller says the legislation severely limited public employee’s rights to collective bargaining and it eliminated many unions in the state.
"He completely abolished unions right out of the box. He just abolished them," said Miller.
"We’ve been getting calls from all over the country; Good Morning America, Chris Matthews. This has become the epicenter of workers rights," said Senator Spencer Coggs.
The Wisconsin State Patrol could return the lawmakers to the Capitol, but only if they're in the state.
Governor Scott Walker believes their effort will die down soon.
"I have faith after they do their stunt - it's all about theatrics - they will come back and do their job," said Walker.
