Assembly vote blow to democracy, protestors carry on

Posted on Posted in Press Releases

For immediate release
Feb. 25, 2011

Contact TAA Co-Presidents:

Alex Hanna, 765-404-6996
Kevin Gibbons, 813-466-0952

Assembly vote blow to democracy, protestors carry on over weekend

Around 1 a.m. on Friday the Republican leadership interrupted the longest filibuster in the history of the State of Wisconsin and voted to pass the budget repair bill with 25 Assembly Members not allowed to vote. The bill has been moved to the Senate schedule as of Friday. We are deeply grateful for the resolve that Democratic Representatives have shown as Governor Walker and the Republican leadership have flouted democratic process trying to force their proposal through. We are confident that Senate Democrats will remain out of the state until their Republican colleagues come to reason and agree that the assault on collective bargaining rights is an assault on all Wisconsinites. We hope the Republican Senators who have been listening to their constituents in the Capitol and around the State will realize that their constituents oppose this budget repair bill.

Despite the fact that the Assembly Republicans passed the budget repair bill early Friday, the Teaching Assistants’ Association, its members, other public service employees, and concerned citizens from around the state will continue to stay in the Capitol to make our voices heard.

Last night’s vote was another glaring example of the disregard for the democratic process that Republican politicians have shown in the Capitol over the past 11 days. Since the Republican co-chairs of the Joint Finance Committee cut off public comment on Wednesday, February 16 at 3 a.m., tens of thousands of citizens poured into the Capitol to make their voices heard. Republicans have been absent from more than 100 hours of public statements that Democrats have held over the past week.

Citizens will be holding rallies across the State over the weekend. Thousands will gather at the State Capitol on Saturday, Feb. 26 for a concert at 1 pm, marches and rally will follow 3pm. The West Wing’s Bradley Whitford will emcee the rally.