State troopers "go after" missing Democrats **Link to live updates**

[PeaceNikki]

They're going to the home of 1 of the Senators who were reported to have been sighted there this AM.

http://www.todaystmj4.com/news/local/116469428.html


Capitol Chaos: State Patrol Goes After Democratic Senators
By Jay Sorgi
MADISON - According to the Wisconsin senate majority leader, the Governor's office is sending out state troopers to go after Wisconsin's Democratic Senate members to bring in a vote on Governor Walker's budget bill which would dramatically limit government workers union's ability to negotiate many of their benefits.

"They are prepared to dispatch state troopers to go out to some of the residences of some of the senators," said Republican State Senator Scott Fitzgerald on Newsradio 620 WTMJ's "Midday with Charlie Sykes."

"We don't know that everybody is out of state. These troopers are going to go and try to escort these senators back to the chamber."

The State Patrol cannot go after the Democratic senators who have left the state, and Democratic State Senator Jon Erpenbach told "Wisconsin's Morning News" that all 14 Democratic Senate members have fled Wisconsin and have not announced a timetable for their return.

[lame54]

1. if they are out of the state - good luck

[somone]

6. Iowa/Illinois is only a short drive away

I suspect they drove to Chicago

[PeaceNikki]

7. They were in Rockford, IL. Some reports placed some in Dubuque.

At least 1 Senator was "spotted at his home" this morning.

[cali]

2. where did you get the info from, Nikki?

[PeaceNikki]

3. The local news - TV

Posting a link in OP

[liberal N proud]

4. What are they going to do arrest them?

Is it a crime to stand up against tyranny?

[PeaceNikki]

5. That's what I am curious about.

We'll see, huh?

[denverbill]

9. Yes, forcing someone to go somewhere at gunpoint is kidnapping.

It doesn't matter if the governor ordered it unless he has that authority under the state Constitution to compel them to attend.

[Viking12]

8. The new head of the State Troopers is the father of a WI Senator and a WI Assemblyman

Walker appointed the father of two legislators that are among Walker's strongest allies as head of the WI State Troopers. Although Fitzgerald had LEO experience, he had no prior experience with the State Patrol. Another example of how corrupt this rat bastard Governor is.

[Tatiana]

10. Why in the heck would they still be in WI? I hope this is a false report.

I thought the plan was for them to head to Iowa and Illinois.

Have the two Republican State Senators showed up yet?

[hobbit709]

11. In 1979 when the "Killer Bees" walked out

Gov. Clements sent out the TX Rangers to round them up. They ended up being quite embarrassed after grabbing one of them in Houston(it turned out to be the brother of the Sen.), driving to Austin at 100 mph in a State Trooper car to the Statehouse and then finding out they had the wrong guy.

[gratuitous]

12. State law allows for this

From a more rambunctious time, legislatures found it necessary from time to time to dispatch law enforcement officers to compel the attendance of some members who had other priorities than performing the duties of their elected offices. In addition, this isn't the first time a minority party or a faction has disappeared to deny a tyrranical majority its quorum to conduct business.

This is all within the bounds of the usual way state legislatures do their business. The advantage the absent members have is that the authority of the state police ends at the state line. Go to Illinois or Minnesota, and you're safe as houses. The Wisconsin Senate needs 20 senators present for a quorum to do business, and there are only 19 Republicans. Strangely enough, by hanging together like this the Wisconsin Democratic Senators let their Republican brothers and sisters off the hook, as none of the Republicans have to make a public declaration of just what an asshole Gov. Walker is being. If even one Democrat was compelled to attend the Senate session, at least one Republican would be forced to oppose the governor's scheme if he or she disagreed with it.

[PeaceNikki]

13. Things are bound to get more interesting as the day develops

[TahitiNut]

14. It should be done under the authority of the Sergeant at Arms, then.

The notion that the Governor has some authority over the Legislature in compelling attendance is contrary to all "separation of powers" doctrines that I'm familiar with. Sounds like Walker regrds himself as an "elected DICTATOR" ... something becoming all too common on the (fascist) right.

[gratuitous]

17. It varies from state to state

But I think that it is under the authority of the sergeant at arms, who would be commanded by the presiding officer of the Senate. Naturally, the governor would support this, so it might appear that the governor is ordering folks around, but precise reporting should make it clear that this is being done as a function of the state senate.

[Cleita]

15. They need to go to Canada.

Neither the State Troopers nor the National Guard can follow them there.

[PeaceNikki]

16. Local ABC affiliate updates here:

http://www.wisn.com/politics/26900059/detail.html

Twitter updates: http://twitter.com/#!/NickBohr

Fitzgerald says he believes Miller is at home. Says they're not going to arrest him. Says its just a way to build pressure.
20 minutes ago · reply

Senate Majority Leader Fitzgerald says State Patrol sent to Minority Leader Miller's home to find him. Not to homes of any other members.
22 minutes ago · reply

Democrats in Assembly are present for start of session. They're expected to ask for recess for at least a few hours to hold private caucus.
29 minutes ago · reply

Assembly republicans plan to debate budget bill today. Go into session at 9. However, dems can delay by caucusing indefinitely.
about 1 hour ago ·

[BobbyBoring]

18. I'm confused now

Walker said he couldn't go after them if they're out of state??

[PeaceNikki]

19. Reports were/are that at least one (Miller) is in Wisconsin. That's the one they are going after.

http://twitter.com/#!/NickBohr

Fitzgerald says he believes Miller is at home. Says they're not going to arrest him. Says its just a way to build pressure.
26 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply

NickBohr Nick Bohr
Senate Majority Leader Fitzgerald says State Patrol sent to Minority Leader Miller's home to find him. Not to homes of any other members.

[Ellipsis]

20. They can't enter and he doesn't have to answer the door.

They don't have the authority.

[PeaceNikki]

21. 10:09 a.m.: Recess is called. Republicans walk out.

Democratss continue to speak without microphone. Huge drama!

From: http://www.wisn.com/politics/26900059/detail.htmlhttp://www.wisn.com/politics/26900059/detail.html

Keep checking that for real-time updates.

[PeaceNikki]

22. 10:20 a.m.: The Assembly is in recess, likely for the rest if the day, as Democrats said they needed

time to caucus on the bill. Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett also briefly visited the Senate. In an interview he told me the Democratic senators are doing the only thing they can to stop the bill. He also said he wasn't happy that MPS is closed today, but believed it was necessary.