Scott Walker:

To me, I just have felt that that’s a distraction,

Zac Schultz:

That was Governor Scott Walker in December, answering my question about whether he wanted to see the Legislature address right-to-work. And this was Wednesday, addressing members of the conservative Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce.

Zac Schultz:

By Monday, I’ll be able to sign into law something that will make Wisconsin the 25th state in the nation that says you have the freedom to work anywhere you want without having to be a part of a labor union or not.

As he made those comments, the bill had nearly completed its fast-track from distraction to law.

Announced two weeks ago, the bill flew through the Senate and as it hit the Assembly this week opponents realized it was unlikely to be stopped.

At an all-day public hearing a parade of citizens used their time to criticize the process as much as the bill.

Woman:

Every one of you can pay attention, you know that, because you chose to make this a one-day nine-hour meeting, or twelve-hour meeting, or whatever.

Ken Anderson:

I’m opposed to right-to-work

Zac Schultz:

Between the Senate and Assembly hearings, Ken Anderson waited 16 hours to speak for four minutes.

Ken Anderson:

I just cannot believe how fast this had to be moved. I’d like to know the reason from somebody up here, particularly from the GOP, to tell me what the emergency is?

Zac Schultz:

Anderson doesn’t regret his time, but he does wonder if his message got through.

Ken Anderson:

I think they listened but I don’t think they heard.

Zac Schultz:

Democrats on the Committee felt the same.

Cory Mason:

I don’t know how genuine the listening actually is. The point of a public hearing is to get public input and improve the bill.

Zac Schultz:

In fact, Republicans on the Committee acknowledged there was nothing they could hear that would change their mind.

Dan Knodl:

No, it can’t, because I’ve looked at it for the benefits I see it bringing to the state.

[Union rally sound in background]

Zac Schultz:

As the bill moved closer to passage, the pro-union rallies shrunk in size . . . With 300 gathering on the Capitol steps as the Assembly debated the bill Thursday.

Comparisons to Act 10 protests and debate were inevitable, and the Democrats made that connection the first order of business, introducing a Resolution to acknowledge the protesters of 2011, and apologize to them for remarks made by Governor Walker last week when he referenced them while talking about how he, as president, would deal with Islamic terrorists.

Scott Walker:

If I can take on 100,000 protestors, I can do the same across the world.

Andy Jorgensen:

Those words he chose, and the way he said it, and the look on his face after he said it.

Zac Schultz:

Of course, Republicans were not about to approve a Resolution apologizing for Governor Walker.

Robin Vos:

What this document is, is a political document. Because my friends on the other side of the aisle have Walker Derangement Syndrome. They can barely stand it. You will see throughout today’s debate, that rather than focusing on the merits of why we are accepting worker freedom in Wisconsin, why we’ll be the 25th state to do so, they’re going to attempt to obfuscate and distract and delay.

Terese Berceau:

There was no need for right-to-work to be fast-tracked, for right-to-work to be now. As you know, the private sector which you are meddling with here, private sector employers did not ask for this, and our Governor originally said that he was not going to meddle with the private sector and their relationship with unions. So talk about distractions and talk about politics.