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WI: State Troopers search for Missing Democrat Senators
Last Updated on Monday, 28 February 2011 02:02 Written by rslcpol Thursday, 24 February 2011 12:59
From the Associated Press:
Wisconsin state troopers were dispatched Thursday to try to find at least one of the 14 Senate Democrats who have been on the run for eight days to delay a vote on Republican Gov. Scott Walker’s proposal to strip collective bargaining rights from nearly all public employees.
Meanwhile, the state Assembly appeared close to voting on the union rights bill after two days of filibustering the measure with a blizzard of amendments. Democrats reached an early morning deal after 43 hours of debate to limit the number of remaining amendments and time spent on each.
Troopers went to multiple homes Thursday morning hoping to find at least one of the 14 Democrats, some of whom were rumored to have made short trips home to pick up clothes and other necessities before again fleeing the state. But they came up empty handed, Senate Sergeant at Arms Ted Blazel said.
“Every night we hear about some that are coming back home,” said Republican Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, who hoped sending the move to send the troopers would pressure Democrats to return.
Tags: Wisconsin | Posted under Dems Behaving Badly, State Legislature News | No Comments
RSLC President Chris Jankowski on Lars Larson Radio show
Last Updated on Thursday, 24 February 2011 10:38 Written by rslcpol Thursday, 24 February 2011 10:10
RSLC President Chris Jankowski was recently on the Lars Larson radio show. Here are some highlights:
We have republican governors who ran on platforms and, surprise, they’re trying to enact those platforms and [the RSLC] helped elect Republican legislatures right with them that will vote for [balanced-budgets] if ever given the opportunity.
The Wisconsin Education Committee … put $1.5 million into state legislative races in Wisconsin last year, just last year.
This automatic deduction of the dues right from the state agency right into what is, essentially, a political committee … and then goes right into elections, that needs to stop.
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WI: Assembly Democrats Filibuster to delay budget repair bill
Last Updated on Monday, 28 February 2011 01:58 Written by rslcpol Wednesday, 23 February 2011 02:52
From WFRV-TV:
Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald says he would like to take a vote by the end of Wednesday on a bill to remove collective bargaining rights from public employees.
Fitzgerald says he is talking with Democrats about how to manage the nearly 200 amendments they are offering to the bill.
Debate began around noon on Tuesday and has lasted all night.
His comments came during the 20th hour of debate. He says he hopes the vote can happen later Wednesday night.
Tags: Wisconsin | Posted under Blog | No Comments
CT Republicans Pick up Seats in Special Elections
Last Updated on Wednesday, 23 February 2011 01:30 Written by rslcpol Wednesday, 23 February 2011 01:30
From CTMirror:
Republican Noreen S. Kokoruda of Madison won in the 101st House District and Republican Len Suzio of Meriden was the upset winner in 13th Senate District, picking up a Democratic seat in each chamber. All nine vacancies were created by the resignations of Democrats, six of whom took jobs with Malloy.
But Democrats were quick to celebrate minimizing their losses in races held just a week after the first Democratic governor in a generation proposed raising a broad array of taxes. In four targeted House races, the GOP hit hard on the tax issue with a flurry of late mailings.
“So much for the referendum on Dan Malloy,” said Roy Occhiogrosso, the governor’s senior adviser. “The Republicans thought they were going to have a good night. Not so much. Give Dan Malloy the credit he deserves.”
Posted under State Legislature News | No Comments
RSLC Chairman Ed Gillespie on Meet the Press (Video)
Last Updated on Tuesday, 22 February 2011 02:13 Written by rslcpol Tuesday, 22 February 2011 02:10
Check out Republican State Leadership Committee Chairman Ed Gillespie on NBC’s Meet the Press this past Sunday.
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
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Indiana Democrats Flee to avoid Vote
Last Updated on Monday, 28 February 2011 01:58 Written by rslcpol Tuesday, 22 February 2011 12:58
More Democrats are fleeing to the safe haven of a Democrat governor led state. Kentucky and Illinois are the potential hide outs for Indiana Democrats.
From IndyStar.com:
House Democrats are leaving the state rather than vote on anti-union legislation, The Indianapolis Star has learned.
A source said Democrats are headed to Illinois, though it was possible some also might go to Kentucky. They need to go to a state with a Democratic governor to avoid being taken into police custody and returned to Indiana.
The House was came into session this morning, with only two of the 40 Democrats present. Those two were needed to make a motion, and a seconding motion, for any procedural steps Democrats would want to take to ensure Republicans don’t do anything official without quorum.
Posted under State Legislature News | No Comments
RSLC: Republicans Take Control of Louisiana Senate With Special Election Victory
Last Updated on Tuesday, 22 February 2011 12:45 Written by rslcpol Tuesday, 22 February 2011 12:45
This weekend saw more Republican momentum. Check out the Republican State Leadership Committee’s statement on the special election victory:
Alexandria, Va. (February 20, 2011) – Republican momentum shows no signs of stopping, particularly on the state legislative level, as the party has now taken control of the Louisiana State Senate following a special election victory by Rep. Jonathan Perry to fill the vacant seat of Democrat Sen. Nick Gautreaux. The win marks the 14th special election victory for Republicans since Election Day 2010 and the 22nd legislative chamber to move into Republican control.
“Jonathan Perry ran an exemplary campaign and his message of fighting for smaller government and creating good jobs and a stronger economy for Louisiana families clearly resonated with voters. The RSLC was proud to support his candidacy and we congratulate him on his victory,” said RSLC Chairman Ed Gillespie.
The Louisiana Senate is currently split with 19 Republicans and 19 Democrats in the 39-member chamber. Perry’s election gives Republicans the majority, the first time Republicans have had majorities in both the House and Senate since Reconstruction. Heading into redistricting, Republicans now hold majorities in both legislative chambers in 26 states, up from 14 states before the 2010 elections.
“As legislators redraw the Louisiana maps, the new Republican majorities ensure Republicans are well-represented at the table,” Gillespie said. “And with the recent party switch of Attorney General Buddy Caldwell, it is clear Republicans have momentum on their side as we head into the 2011 Louisiana elections.”
Despite putting more than $200,000 into his own campaign, Democrat Nathan Granger was unable hold the seat for his party.
Tags: Louisiana | Posted under Blog | No Comments
RSLC Chairman Ed Gillespie to appear on NBC’s Meet the Press
Last Updated on Friday, 18 February 2011 02:16 Written by rslcpol Friday, 18 February 2011 02:16
Check your local listings to catch RSLC Chairman Ed Gillespie on NBC’s Meet the Press this Sunday.
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RSLC Statement on Wisconsin: Democrats Run from Their Jobs
Last Updated on Friday, 18 February 2011 12:18 Written by rslcpol Friday, 18 February 2011 11:43
Alexandria, Va. (February 18, 2011) –After voters rejected their policies of raising taxes, increasing spending and catering to unions, Wisconsin voters overwhelmingly opted for new leadership in the state Assembly and Senate. Wisconsin Democrats, now given a blueprint for a balanced budget, ran from their constituents to Illinois rather than show up and do their jobs.
“While Wisconsin Republicans are making tough decisions and following through on promises to reduce government spending in order to balance the Wisconsin budget, Democrats abdicated their jobs and refused to govern,” said RSLC Chairman Ed Gillespie.
Following the takeover of both the Wisconsin Assembly and Senate, an effort strongly backed by the RSLC, the newly Republican led legislature took up a bill that would reign in government spending on state workers to help balance the state’s budget. Refusing to accept the reality of the Election Day results, Democrat legislators chose special interest fanned union protests and fled to Illinois rather than debate legislation. President Obama has since dispatched his political operation to support the protestors and obstruct the Governor and Legislature from meeting the commitment they made to voters and balance the budget.
“As Governor Walker has said, ‘the bottom line is we’ve got to balance the budget. Millions and millions of taxpayers of the state have a right to be heard.’ His proposals are reasonable, modest and necessary. Democrats in the Senate should show up for work and cast their vote,” Gillespie said.
About the RSLC
The RSLC is the largest caucus of Republican state leaders and the only national organization whose mission is to elect down ballot, state-level Republican office-holders. Since 2002, the RSLC has been working to elect candidates for the office of attorney general, lieutenant governor, secretary of state and state legislator. The RSLC has more than 100,000 donors in all 50 states. The RSLC raised more than $30 million for the 2009-2010 cycle as part of an effort that picked up 20 legislative chambers, six Attorneys General, three Lieutenant Governors and seven Secretaries of State.
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Governor: GOP won’t be Bullied by Union Protestors
Last Updated on Friday, 18 February 2011 11:33 Written by rslcpol Friday, 18 February 2011 11:30
From The Hill:
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) says his party has been emboldened by massive protests against his controversial budget plan.
Walker said demonstrators who filled the state capitol building in Madison and the boycott by state Senate Democrats — some of whom fled the state in protest — have steeled the resolve of members of his party.
“If anything, I think it’s made the Republicans in the Assembly and the Senate stronger,” he told Fox News’s Greta Van Susteren in an interview Thursday night. “They’re not going to be bullied. They’re not going to be intimidated.”
Walker also fired back at President Obama, who sided with the public employees, saying on Fox News Friday, “We are focused on balancing our budget. It would be wise for the government and others in Washington to focus on balancing their budgets, which they are a long way off from doing.”
Posted under State Legislature News | No Comments