Assembly Gears Up For Marathon Session On Right To Work

Assembly lawmakers are preparing for a marathon session on Thursday to debate a bill that would make Wisconsin the nation’s 25th right-to-work state.

The bill that would ban mandatory union dues at private-sector businesses passed committee on a party line vote on Wednesday night. Republicans shot down a few Democratic amendments, including one that would have delayed right to work by 90 days.

Rep. Cory Mason, D-Racine, chided Republicans for moving too fast.

Mason described the GOP’s thought process thusly: “Does it matter that in the real world, this is going to have some consequences that perhaps people didn’t foresee or intend? Too bad, because we want to get it done as quickly as possible.”

But Rep. Dan Knodl, R-Germantown, said he was so confident right to work would be good for Wisconsin that he didn’t want to wait.

“A good bill leads to good law, means it’s good to go on day one,” said Knodl.

The full Assembly convenes at 9 a.m. Leaders have set aside 24 hours for debate.