Wisconsin limits collective bargaining rights for gov workers

By Thomas Lifson

The Wisconsin state senate has passed legislation limiting collective bargaining for state employees. This was accomplished via legislation that did not involve fiscal matters, thus lowering the threshold for a quorum. The remainder of the current dispute, involving wages and benefits, have already been agreed to by the unions, who can be expected to withdraw the offer.

There is talk of a recall campaign to punish Republican legislators, and unions have access to millions of dollars and large numbers of people.

But the facts on the ground have changed in Wisconsin tonight, as the GOP in effect called the Democrats' bluff.