2011 Wisconsin protests

Wisconsin was the first state in the United States to provide collective bargaining rights to public employees in 1959.{{cite web|url=http://www.ifebp.org/AboutUs/PressRoom/Releases/pr_022411.htm|title=Collective Bargaining: What It Is and Its Place in Wisconsin's History|publisher=IFEBP|first=Stacy|last=Van Alstyne|date=February 24, 2011|access-date=2011-08-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111006130133/http://www.ifebp.org/AboutUs/PressRoom/Releases/pr_022411.htm|archive-date=October 6, 2011|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}} That year, the state's public-sector employee law was revised to not only allow municipal employees to unionize, but also to require municipal employers to bargain with certified unions.{{cite journal |last1=Schirmer |first1=E. |title="Sterilizing and Fertilizing the Plant at the Same Time": The Class Formation of the Milwaukee Teachers' Education Association |journal=History of Education Quarterly |date=August 2023 |volume=63 |issue=3 |pages=399–424 |doi=10.1017/heq.2023.20|doi-access=free }} Over the past decades public sector labor unions had grown from 10.8% of public workers being represented by a union in 1960 to 36.2% in 2010. Over the same time period, the percentage of private sector employees in a union shrank from 31.9% to 6.9%.{{cite web |author=Morgan Reynolds |url=https://mises.org/daily/3553 |title=A History of Labor Unions from Colonial Times to 2009 – Morgan Reynolds – Mises Daily |date=July 3, 2009 |publisher=Mises.org |access-date=2011-10-28 |archive-date=October 6, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006082036/https://mises.org/daily/3553 |url-status=live }} This increase in public-employee unionism coincided with the granting of collective bargaining rights to public employees. Total union membership for all employees, both public and private, had decreased substantially over the years, with total union membership in 2010 at 11.4%.[http://stats.oecd.org/Index.aspx?DataSetCode=UN_DEN "Trade Union Density"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727141914/http://stats.oecd.org/Index.aspx?DataSetCode=UN_DEN |date=July 27, 2011 }} OECD StatExtracts. Accessed: October 2, 2011.

When Jim Doyle (D-Wisconsin) was governor (2003–2010), the budget deficits that the state faced were filled three times by taking money from the transportation fund, in amounts totaling $1.257 billion.{{cite web|url=http://www.franklinnow.com/blogs/communityblogs/98603114.html|title=South Now - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|website=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|access-date=October 4, 2017|archive-date=September 26, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130926143716/http://www.franklinnow.com/blogs/communityblogs/98603114.html|url-status=live}} Subsequently, 53 counties throughout the state passed referendums to prevent government officials from taking money from the transportation fund for use in other projects.{{cite web|url=http://badgerherald.com/news/2010/11/04/53_counties_pass_ref.php|title=53 counties pass referendum for protecting transportation funds|access-date=October 4, 2017|archive-date=May 12, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130512194348/http://badgerherald.com/news/2010/11/04/53_counties_pass_ref.php|url-status=dead}}

Both Governor Walker and his opponent in the 2010 Governor's race, Tom Barrett, stated that they would not close the budget deficit by taking money from the transportation fund.{{cite web|url=http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20101019/GPG0101/101019081/Barrett-Walker-say-they-won-t-raid-road-fund|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130125094035/http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20101019/GPG0101/101019081/Barrett-Walker-say-they-won-t-raid-road-fund|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 25, 2013|title=We won't raid road fund, Wisconsin governor candidates Tom Barrett, Scott Walker say|access-date=October 4, 2017}} As a candidate for governor, Walker proposed that state employees pay more toward their pensions saying it would save the state about $180 million a year.{{cite web|url=http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9GD8B004.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100723083408/http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9GD8B004.htm|url-status=dead|title=Wis. gov hopeful: State employees pay for pensions|archive-date=July 23, 2010}} Walker was elected as Governor in November 2010.

Under collective-bargaining agreements, employers and unions had negotiated health insurance considerations from carrier to cost to benefits. Contributions for health insurance of active employees total 38.8% of wages.{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748703408604576164290717724956|title=Oh, To Be a Teacher in Wisconsin|author=Costrell, Robert M.|work=The Wall Street Journal|date=February 25, 2011|access-date=August 3, 2017|archive-date=September 16, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170916092144/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748703408604576164290717724956|url-status=live}} For private-sector workers nationwide, as of 2011, the average is 10.7%.{{cite news|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/health/sns-health-care-retirement-tips,0,3767055.story|title=Paying for Health Care in Retirement|work=Chicago Tribune|author=Brandon, Emily|date=July 22, 2009|access-date=2011-03-12|archive-date=October 29, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029221315/http://www.chicagotribune.com/health/sns-health-care-retirement-tips,0,3767055.story|url-status=live}} Public-sector unions may also have cover health insurance for retirees, which can have significant cost. This is especially the case for teachers in many states, because the eligibility rules of their pension plans often induce them to retire in their 50s, and Medicare does not kick in until age 65. According to David Cay Johnston, prior to Act 10, Wisconsin state employers paid 5% of employee wages into their pension as was negotiated under the principle of "deferred compensation."{{cite web|last=Newlin|first=Eliza|url=http://www.nationaljournal.com/politics/wisconsin-budget-coverage-suffers-from-bad-reporting-tax-journalist-writes-20110225|title=Wisconsin Budget Coverage Suffers from Bad Reporting, Tax Journalist Writes|work=National Journal|date=February 25, 2011|access-date=2011-02-28|archive-date=March 1, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110301003429/http://www.nationaljournal.com/politics/wisconsin-budget-coverage-suffers-from-bad-reporting-tax-journalist-writes-20110225|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/02/25/the-contribution-scam|title=The Contribution Scam|work=The New York Times, Conscience of a Liberal|author=Krugman, Paul|date=February 25, 2011|access-date=2011-02-28|archive-date=March 18, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170318220053/https://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/02/25/the-contribution-scam/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.sfbg.com/politics/2011/02/24/truth-about-pensions|title=The truth about pensions|author=Redmond, Tim|work=San Francisco Bay Guardian|date=February 24, 2011|access-date=2011-02-28|archive-date=February 27, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110227020653/http://www.sfbg.com/politics/2011/02/24/truth-about-pensions|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://tax.com/taxcom/taxblog.nsf/Permalink/UBEN-8EDJYS?OpenDocument |title=Really Bad Reporting in Wisconsin: Who 'Contributes' to Public Workers' Pensions? |publisher=tax.com |access-date=2011-02-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110226191736/http://www.tax.com/taxcom/taxblog.nsf/Permalink/UBEN-8EDJYS?OpenDocument |archive-date=February 26, 2011 |url-status=live |df=mdy}}{{cite news|last=Ungar|first=Rick|url=https://blogs.forbes.com/rickungar/2011/02/25/the-wisconsin-lie-exposed-taxpayers-actually-contribute-nothing-to-public-employee-pensions|title=The Wisconsin Lie Exposed – Taxpayers Actually Contribute Nothing To Public Employee Pensions|work=Forbes|date=February 22, 2011|access-date=2011-02-28|archive-date=July 13, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713043024/http://blogs.forbes.com/rickungar/2011/02/25/the-wisconsin-lie-exposed-taxpayers-actually-contribute-nothing-to-public-employee-pensions/|url-status=live}}

In January 2011, the state legislature passed a series of bills providing additional tax cuts and deductions for businesses at "a two-year cost of $67 million."{{cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-01-25/wisconsin-legislature-set-to-pass-tax-cuts.html|title=Wisconsin Legislature passes tax cut|agency=Associated Press|author=Bauer, Scott|publisher=Bloomberg News|date=January 25, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110128041240/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-01-25/wisconsin-legislature-set-to-pass-tax-cuts.html|archive-date=January 28, 2011|df=mdy-all}} In early February, the Walker administration projected a budget shortfall in 2013 (Wisconsin functions on two-year budgets) of $3.6 billion{{cite web|url=http://media.journalinteractive.com/documents/DOA_memo.doc|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160201180421/http://media.journalinteractive.com/documents/DOA_memo.doc|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 1, 2016|title=Calculation of 2011–13 Biennial Budget Deficit under LFB January 31, 2011 Reestimates|publisher=Wisconsin Department of Administration|author=Huebsch, Mike|date=February 4, 2011|access-date=2011-11-28|df=mdy-all}} and a $137 million shortfall for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2011.{{cite web|url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/115501969.html|title=State's 2-year budget deficit grows to $3.6 billion – Projection paves way for Walker's announcement on how to address it|work=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|author=Stein, Jason|date=February 7, 2011|access-date=2011-02-28|archive-date=February 26, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110226024132/http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/115501969.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704506004576174413551008574|title=Wisconsin Governor Seeks Deep Cuts|work=Wall Street Journal|author1=Merrick, Amy|author2=Maher, Kris|date=March 2, 2011|access-date=2011-11-28|archive-date=March 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180306224405/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704506004576174413551008574|url-status=live}}

The Walker-backed bill proposed to alleviate the budget shortfall included taking away the ability of public sector unions to bargain collectively over pensions and health care and limiting pay raises of public employees to the rate of inflation, as well as ending automatic union dues collection by the state and requiring public unions to recertify annually.{{cite news|title=Governor Walker Ready to Call in National Guard Over Labor Unrest|publisher=WTMJ-TV|url=http://www.todaystmj4.com/news/local/115928094.html|agency=The Associated Press|date=February 11, 2011|access-date=2011-11-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111118043756/http://www.todaystmj4.com/news/local/115928094.html|archive-date=November 18, 2011|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}{{cite news|url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/fake-sick-notes-given-to-wisconsin-protesters-amid-anti-union-bill-faceoff/ |title='Fake' Sick Notes Given to Wisconsin Protesters Amid Anti-Union Bill Faceoff |publisher=Fox News |date=February 19, 2011 |access-date=February 20, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110221021114/http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/02/19/saturdays-protests-wisconsin-expected-biggest |archive-date=February 21, 2011 |url-status=live |df=mdy}} The bargaining changes exempted the unions of public safety officers, including police, firefighters, and state troopers.{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748703989504576128502316403060?mod=googlenews_wsjl|title=Public-Worker Unions Steel for Budget Fights|author=Trottman, Melanie|work=The Wall Street Journal|date=February 14, 2011|access-date=August 3, 2017|archive-date=October 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171004140143/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748703989504576128502316403060?mod=googlenews_wsjl|url-status=live}} Walker stated that without the cuts thousands of state workers would have to be laid off.{{cite web|url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/115911379.html|title=Walker calls for cuts or big layoffs|website=www.jsonline.com|access-date=October 4, 2017|archive-date=June 2, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160602012429/http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/115911379.html|url-status=live}}

The protests and demonstrations began following Walker's introduction of Assembly Bill 11{{cite book|author=|title=ASSEMBLY BILL 11|date=February 15, 2011|publisher=Wisconsin State Assembly|url=http://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2011/related/proposals/jr1_ab11.pdf|access-date=August 18, 2012|archive-date=September 27, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120927122307/http://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2011/related/proposals/jr1_ab11.pdf|url-status=live}}{{cite web|author=|title=Assembly Bill 11|url=http://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2011/proposals/jr1/AB11|publisher=State of Wisconsin|access-date=August 18, 2012|archive-date=April 4, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120404183927/https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2011/proposals/jr1/ab11|url-status=live}} to the Wisconsin State Assembly on February 14, 2011.

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On Monday, February 14, the University of Wisconsin–Madison's Teaching Assistants Association distributed "We ♥ UW: Don't Break My ♥" Valentine cards to the governor, as a means of protesting the bill's negative impacts on working conditions at the university.{{cite web|author=Deborah Ziff|url=http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/education/on_campus/article_87a7eaa0-3853-11e0-bcc7-001cc4c002e0.html|title=On Campus: UW-Madison students to Walker: "Don't Break My ♥"|publisher=Host.madison.com|date=February 14, 2011|access-date=2011-02-28|archive-date=February 18, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110218231018/http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/education/on_campus/article_87a7eaa0-3853-11e0-bcc7-001cc4c002e0.html|url-status=live}}

On February 15, tens of thousands of protesters demonstrated in and around the Capitol building in Madison{{cite web|url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/116563323.html|title=Budget battle: Smaller group of protesters shows up Sunday; Senate Republicans plan to meet Tuesdaywork=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|date=February 20, 2011|access-date=2011-02-20|archive-date=February 23, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110223092910/http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/116563323.html|url-status=live}} regarding the proposed legislation's limitations on collective bargaining for and against Walker's bill.{{cite news|url=http://english.aljazeera.net/news/americas/2011/02/20112201564409366.html|author1=Patrick Marley|author2=Jason Stein|title=Ideologies clash in Wisconsin: Competing protests draw thousands in flashpoint US state over bid to roll back pay and union rights of government staff|publisher=Al Jazeera|date=February 20, 2011|access-date=February 20, 2011|archive-date=February 20, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110220085317/http://english.aljazeera.net/news/americas/2011/02/20112201564409366.html|url-status=live}} "Kill the Bill" remained one of the main slogans of the protesters.{{cite web|author=Clay Barbour|url=http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_de45ba12-3935-11e0-9b64-001cc4c002e0.html|title=Thousands gather at Capitol to protest Walker budget bill|publisher=Host.madison.com|date=February 16, 2011|access-date=2011-02-28|archive-date=February 18, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110218045040/http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_de45ba12-3935-11e0-9b64-001cc4c002e0.html|url-status=live}} That same day, union members, students and private-sector citizens took part in public hearings with the senators and representatives from both parties, which lasted 17 hours; some defenders of the bill expressed their position, but the majority of the participants opposed the bill.{{cite web|author=Stephanie Jones|url=http://www.journaltimes.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_7fbefd44-391e-11e0-b9eb-001cc4c002e0.html|title=Hearing day in Madison: Hundreds come to testify on budget bill|publisher=Journaltimes.com|date=February 15, 2011|access-date=2011-02-28|archive-date=February 18, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110218220801/http://www.journaltimes.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_7fbefd44-391e-11e0-b9eb-001cc4c002e0.html|url-status=live}}

By February 16, the number of protesters in front of the Wisconsin State Capitol was estimated at 30,000.{{cite news|first=Lila |last=Shapiro |title=Wisconsin Protests: State Police Pursue Democratic Lawmakers Boycotting Vote |date=February 2011 |work=Huffington Post |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/17/wisconsin-protests-scott-walker-police_n_824697.html |access-date=2011-02-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110217222541/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/17/wisconsin-protests-scott-walker-police_n_824697.html |archive-date=February 17, 2011 |url-status=live |df=mdy }}

On February 17, about 25,000 people continued the protest.{{cite news|first=Mark |last=Niquette |title=Public Worker Protests Spread From Wisconsin to Ohio |date=February 18, 2011 |publisher=Bloomberg News |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-02-17/public-employee-union-protests-spread-from-wisconsin-to-ohio.html |access-date=2011-02-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110218084123/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-02-17/public-employee-union-protests-spread-from-wisconsin-to-ohio.html |archive-date=February 18, 2011 |url-status=live |df=mdy}} Citing concerns that Republicans were attempting to pass the legislation without scheduling adequate time for public review and debate, Senate Minority Leader Mark Miller led the 14 Senate Democrats in fleeing the state to prevent the quorum necessary for a vote on the Budget Repair Bill.{{cite web|author1=Bill Glauber|author2=Jason Stein|author3=Patrick Marley|url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/116381289.html|title=Democrats flee state to avoid vote on budget bill|publisher=JSOnline|date=February 17, 2011|access-date=2011-10-28|archive-date=August 30, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110830231940/http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/116381289.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Camia|first=Catalina|date=February 17, 2011|title=Rep. Paul Ryan compares Wisconsin protests to Cairo|url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/onpolitics/post/2011/02/paul-ryan-wisconsin-protests-egypt/1|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110218083105/http://content.usatoday.com/communities/onpolitics/post/2011/02/paul-ryan-wisconsin-protests-egypt/1|archive-date=February 18, 2011|access-date=February 18, 2011|website=USA Today}} On the same day, the protests spread to Columbus, Ohio, where about 3,800 protesters demonstrated against a similar bill to "eliminate collective bargaining" being considered by the Ohio legislature. According to Mike Lux, some protesters in the two states carried Egyptian flags, indicating their Egyptian revolution inspiration. Ed Schultz of MSNBC's The Ed Show appeared live outside the Wisconsin State Capitol on February 17 and 18.{{cite web|url=http://wegoted.com/news|title=The Ed Schultz Show: News|publisher=Wegoted.com|access-date=2011-02-28|archive-date=March 14, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110314044729/http://wegoted.com/news/|url-status=live}}

On February 18, the AFL–CIO president, Richard Trumka, and other state labor leaders addressed the protest crowd on the Capitol lawn. Trumka asserted that Governor Walker's plan was part of a larger national Republican strategy.{{cite web|author=Dean Robbins|url=http://www.thedailypage.com/daily/article.php?article=32348|title=AFL-CIO president arrives at Wisconsin Capitol to support public-employee union uprising|work=The Daily Page|date=February 18, 2011|access-date=2011-10-28|archive-date=October 11, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111011163138/http://www.thedailypage.com/daily/article.php?article=32348|url-status=dead}} The number of protesters in Madison grew to over 70,000 on February 19, including some who supported Walker's plan.{{cite web|url=http://www.wkow.com/Global/story.asp?S=14062370|title=Upwards of 70,000 rally at state Capitol|publisher=Wkow.com|access-date=2011-02-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110222220156/http://www.wkow.com/Global/story.asp?S=14062370|archive-date=February 22, 2011|url-status=dead}}

On February 19, 11 faculty members from the University of Wisconsin's School of Medicine and Public Health established a "medical station" at the capitol, and signed sick notes for public employees abandoning their public post in order to protest.{{cite web|url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/records-detail-discipline-for-doctors-who-gave-protesters-sick-notes-uv4suh6-146310715.html|title=Doctors who gave protesters sick notes disciplined|access-date=October 4, 2017|archive-date=July 30, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160730023916/http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/records-detail-discipline-for-doctors-who-gave-protesters-sick-notes-uv4suh6-146310715.html|url-status=live}} This shut down several school districts in the state.{{cite web|url=http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/116464788.html#!page=1&viewAll=0&sort=newestfirst|title=MPS closed Friday because of teacher sickout|website=www.jsonline.com|access-date=October 4, 2017|archive-date=March 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306222441/http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/116464788.html#!page=1&viewAll=0&sort=newestfirst|url-status=live}}

By February 20, protestors had undertaken a physical occupation of the Capitol building, establishing a fully functioning community within the public spaces of the Wisconsin State Capitol, including an information center, a sleeping area, a medic station staffed by members of the Madison Community Wellness Collective, and food stations with food for protestors supplied by local businesses.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/26/us/26madison.html|work=The New York Times|first=Steven|last=Greenhouse|title=Delivering Moral Support in a Steady Stream of Pizzas|date=February 25, 2011|access-date=February 7, 2017|archive-date=April 29, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170429120405/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/26/us/26madison.html|url-status=live}} Protestors also covered the walls of the Capitol with thousands of homemade signs.{{cite news|first=Monica |last=Davey |title=Protesters in Wisconsin Say They Are Staying Put |date=February 20, 2011 |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/21/us/21wisconsin.html |access-date=2011-02-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180502214414/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/21/us/21wisconsin.html?_r=1 |archive-date=May 2, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy }} On February 20, a union organizer participating in the protests said that the protests would continue "as long as it takes." Other union leaders called for teachers to return to work. During this timeframe several members of the teaching and project assistant union of UW-Madison ([http://taa-madison.org/ TAA-Madison]) designed and implemented {{usurped|[https://web.archive.org/web/20110219103321/http://www.defendwisconsin.org/ "Defend Wisconsin"]}}, a web site to help coordinate rallies, publish video footage by protesters, and relay general information about the bill and protests.

On February 22, Assembly Republicans began procedures to move the bill to a vote while Democrats submitted dozens of amendments and conducted speeches.{{cite web|url=http://www.businessnorth.com/kuws.asp?RID=3789|title=Assembly Passes Governor's Budget Repair Bill|publisher=Channel 3000 News|date=February 26, 2011|access-date=2011-03-10|archive-date=July 8, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708105017/http://www.businessnorth.com/kuws.asp?RID=3789|url-status=live}}

Also on February 22, Walker delivered a state address on the Budget Repair Bill.{{cite web|url=http://www.clipsandcomment.com/2011/02/22/transcript-wisconsin-gov-scott-walker-address-on-collective-bargaining-legislation-february-22-2011/|title=Transcript: Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker Address on Collective Bargaining Legislation – February 22, 2011|access-date=October 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160404221256/http://www.clipsandcomment.com/2011/02/22/transcript-wisconsin-gov-scott-walker-address-on-collective-bargaining-legislation-february-22-2011/|archive-date=April 4, 2016|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}

On February 22–23, the public information officer for the Madison Police Department (whose union was participating in the protests{{cite news|last=Robbins|first=Dean|title=Wisconsin labor leaders declare solidarity against Walker's budget bill|url=http://www.thedailypage.com/daily/article.php?article=32245|access-date=August 17, 2012|newspaper=Isthmus|date=February 14, 2011|archive-date=July 29, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120729212240/http://www.thedailypage.com/daily/article.php?article=32245|url-status=dead}}), claimed "almost all" of the protesters were from Wisconsin, while an independent reporter from the Daily Cardinal estimated one in four of the protesters were from outside the state.{{cite news|last=Tricker|first=Patrick|title=Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker says out-of-staters account for "almost all" in Madison protests|url=http://www.politifact.com/wisconsin/statements/2011/feb/23/scott-walker/wisconsin-gov-scott-walker-says-out-staters-accoun|access-date=August 17, 2012|newspaper=Milwaukee Journal|date=February 23, 2011|archive-date=August 11, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120811184605/http://www.politifact.com/wisconsin/statements/2011/feb/23/scott-walker/wisconsin-gov-scott-walker-says-out-staters-accoun/|url-status=live}}

On February 23, Buffalo Beast editor Ian Murphy placed a prank telephone call{{cite news|author=Stephen T. Watson|url=http://www.buffalonews.com/city/politics/article349786.ece|title=It's 'gotcha' as local Web provocateur fools a governor|newspaper=The Buffalo News|access-date=2011-02-28|archive-date=February 26, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110226184021/http://www.buffalonews.com/city/politics/article349786.ece|url-status=live}} to Walker claiming to be billionaire David Koch, one of Walker's largest corporate supporters.{{cite news|title=Billionaire Brothers in Spotlight in Wis. Union Battle|author=Peter Overby|work=National Public Radio|url=https://www.npr.org/2011/02/25/134040226/in-wis-union-battle-focus-on-billionaire-brothers|date=February 25, 2011|access-date=April 2, 2018|archive-date=June 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180618203610/https://www.npr.org/2011/02/25/134040226/in-wis-union-battle-focus-on-billionaire-brothers|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/22/us/22koch.html?_r=1|title=Billionaire Brothers' Money Plays Role in Wisconsin Dispute|author=Eric Lipton|work=The New York Times|date=February 21, 2011|access-date=February 7, 2017|archive-date=May 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240518143824/https://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/22/us/22koch.html?_r=1|url-status=live}} During the 20-minute call, Walker discussed a method of getting the absent Senators to return, rejected placing agent provocateurs among the protesters, and that he spoke daily with like-minded Ohio Governor John Kasich. Walker's office later confirmed that the recording of the call was genuine, and stated, "The phone call shows that the Governor says the same thing in private as he does in public and the lengths that others will go to disrupt the civil debate Wisconsin is having."{{cite news|last=Sargent|first=Greg|url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/plum-line/2011/02/governor_walkers_office_confir.html|title=Governor Walker's office confirms prank Koch call|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=February 23, 2011|access-date=2011-02-28|archive-date=June 24, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110624094751/http://voices.washingtonpost.com/plum-line/2011/02/governor_walkers_office_confir.html|url-status=dead}} Two local public officials, including Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz,{{cite web|author=John Nichols|url=http://host.madison.com/ct/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_e73b626e-4044-11e0-8cc2-001cc4c002e0.html|title=Cieslewicz rebukes Walker for talk of disrupting demonstrations|publisher=Host.madison.com|date=February 24, 2011|access-date=2011-02-28|archive-date=February 26, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110226185036/http://host.madison.com/ct/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_e73b626e-4044-11e0-8cc2-001cc4c002e0.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|author=Dee J. Hall |url=http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_40c3dfbe-402c-11e0-8c68-001cc4c002e0.html |title=Madison police chief, mayor ask governor to explain 'troubling' statements |publisher=Host.madison.com |access-date=2011-02-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110224214850/http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_40c3dfbe-402c-11e0-8c68-001cc4c002e0.html |archive-date=February 24, 2011 |url-status=live |df=mdy }} expressed concern that Walker's comments could be considered ethics violations.

In the aftermath of the call, Senate Democrats refused requests from Governor Walker to return to Wisconsin and negotiate a compromise. Some characterized their wariness as a consequence of the fake call.{{cite web|url=http://www.channel3000.com/news/26995293/detail.html|title=Democrats Wary of Meeting Walker After Prank Call|publisher=Channel3000.com|access-date=2011-03-04|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110228223350/http://www.channel3000.com/news/26995293/detail.html|archive-date=February 28, 2011|df=mdy-all}}{{cite news|last=Merrick|first=Amy|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704615504576172390333255496|title=Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker Issues Ultimatum to Democrats|work=Wall Street Journal Online|access-date=2011-03-04|date=March 1, 2011|archive-date=November 25, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171125143420/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704615504576172390333255496|url-status=live}}

On February 23, the 14 Senators who fled the Wisconsin Capitol were seen at a hotel near Chicago.{{cite news|last=Corsaro|first=Ryan|title=Wisconsin Democrats in hiding: Inside the "Hotel Outside Wisconsin"|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/wisconsin-democrats-in-hiding-inside-the-hotel-outside-wisconsin/|access-date=August 18, 2012|date=February 23, 2011|work=CBS News|archive-date=November 10, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110175835/http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20035463-503544.html|url-status=live}}

At 1:00 am on February 25, following sixty hours of debate,{{cite news|url=http://www.journaltimes.com/news/local/state-and-regional/article_af1b1966-4110-11e0-87d8-001cc4c002e0.html|title=Assembly approves Walker's union bill, many Democrats miss chance to vote|author=Jones, Stephanie Jones|work=The Journal-Times|location=Racine, WI|date=February 25, 2011|access-date=2011-03-04|archive-date=March 2, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110302081838/http://www.journaltimes.com/news/local/state-and-regional/article_af1b1966-4110-11e0-87d8-001cc4c002e0.html|url-status=live}} the final amendments had been defeated and the Republican leadership of the Wisconsin State Assembly cut off debate as well as the public hearing and moved quickly to pass the budget repair bill in a sudden vote. The vote was 51 in favor and 17 opposed, with 28 representatives not voting. The final vote took place without warning, and the time allowed for voting was so short (lasting only 5–15 s){{cite web|url=http://www.htrnews.com/article/20110227/MAN0101/102270527/-Best-opportunity-is-now-|title=Ziegelbauer supports bill but didn't push voting button quick enough|work=Herald Times Reporter|date=February 27, 2011|access-date=2011-03-04|archive-date=July 12, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110712230222/http://www.htrnews.com/article/20110227/MAN0101/102270527/-Best-opportunity-is-now-|url-status=live}} that fewer than half of the Democratic representatives were able to vote; many reportedly pushed the voting button as hard as possible but it did not register.{{cite web|last=Tiku|first=Nitasha|url=https://nymag.com/daily/intel/2011/02/wisconsin_assemblys_sneaky_mov.html|title=Wisconsin Assembly Passes Anti-Union Bill in Late-Night Sneak Attack|work=New York Magazine|date=February 25, 2011|access-date=2011-03-04|archive-date=October 21, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021173219/http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2011/02/wisconsin_assemblys_sneaky_mov.html|url-status=live}} Four Republican representatives voted against the bill.{{cite web|last=Benson|first=Charles|url=http://www.todaystmj4.com/news/local/116710184.html|title=Capitol Chaos: Assembly Passes Repair Bill|publisher=WTMJ-TV 4|date=February 22, 2011|access-date=2011-02-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110227010547/http://www.todaystmj4.com/news/local/116710184.html|archive-date=February 27, 2011|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}

On February 25, following rumors that the Capitol building would be closed and the protesters moved out, the head of the state's largest police union issued a statement urging Governor Walker to keep the Capitol open. Jim Palmer, the executive director of the Wisconsin Professional Police Association, went on to state that his organization stood with the protesters, despite the fact that law enforcement officers were exempt from the budget repair bill's collective bargaining changes. Palmer then called on off-duty officers to sleep in the Capitol that evening. Later that day, the Department of Administration announced that the Capitol building would remain open.{{cite web|url=http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/116923148.html|title=State Capitol will remain open; police group says it stands with protesters|publisher=JSOnline|date=February 25, 2011|access-date=2011-10-28|archive-date=June 5, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605231820/http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/116923148.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|author=Joe Tarr|url=http://www.thedailypage.com/daily/article.php?article=32498|title=Police to sleep in Wisconsin Capitol this weekend as showdown looms|work=The Daily Page|date=February 25, 2011|access-date=2011-10-28|archive-date=October 11, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111011163508/http://www.thedailypage.com/daily/article.php?article=32498|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/21134540|title=msnbc.com Video Player|work=NBC News|access-date=2011-10-28|archive-date=September 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923223053/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/21134540|url-status=dead}}

On February 26, between 70,000 and 100,000 protested the proposed budget in Madison. They were joined by thousands at state capitals around the nation.{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-wisconsin-protests-20110227,0,3378088.story|author=Abby Sewell|title=Protesters out in force nationwide to oppose Wisconsin's anti-union bill|work=Los Angeles Times|date=February 27, 2011|access-date=February 21, 2020|archive-date=March 3, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110303124853/http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-wisconsin-protests-20110227,0,3378088.story|url-status=live}} Out of state union supporters continued to join the protests to show their support, with hundreds of protesters being bused by New York Teamsters.{{cite news|url=http://articles.nydailynews.com/2011-02-21/news/28639606_1_force-government-workers-health-insurance-gop-state|title=New York's Teamsters Local 237 to bus in support to union protestors in Wisconsin|work=New York Daily News|date=February 21, 2011|access-date=2011-03-02|author=Siemaszko, Corky|archive-date=March 25, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110325000807/http://articles.nydailynews.com/2011-02-21/news/28639606_1_force-government-workers-health-insurance-gop-state|url-status=dead}}

Appearing on Meet the Press on February 27, Governor Walker said he did not believe the unions were sincere in offering the pension and health care concessions because local unions had recently pushed through contracts with school boards and city councils that did not include contributions to the pensions and health care, and that in one case, the contract actually included a pay increase.{{cite news|title=In national appearance, Walker questions sincerity of unions|url=http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/117009498.html|author=Marley, Patrick|work=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|date=February 27, 2011|access-date=February 28, 2011|archive-date=March 1, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110301025130/http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/117009498.html|url-status=live}}

On February 27, it was reported by the media that Republican State Senator Dale Schultz would not vote for the bill.{{cite web |url=http://www.postcrescent.com/article/20110227/APC0101/110227014/Protesters-will-allowed-stay-night|author1= Contorno, Steve |author2= Jones, Ben|title=State Capitol building closed, budget protesters not moving|work=Appleton Post Crescent|date=October 14, 2010|access-date=2011-02-28|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110304090457/http://www.postcrescent.com/article/20110227/APC0101/110227014/Protesters-will-allowed-stay-night|archive-date=2011-03-04}} However, Schultz refused to let his own intentions be known regarding the bill;{{cite web|author=Barry Adams|url=http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_0617e9ac-43a9-11e0-941d-001cc4c002e0.html|title=Sen. Dale Schultz mum on intentions for budget repair bill vote|date=March 2011|publisher=Host.madison.com|access-date=2011-03-04|archive-date=March 4, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110304165341/http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_0617e9ac-43a9-11e0-941d-001cc4c002e0.html|url-status=live}} he had previously attempted a compromise budget plan, which was rejected by Governor Walker.{{cite web|url=http://www.wuwm.com/programs/news/view_news.php?articleid=7867|title=Walker Rejects GOP Senator's Proposed Compromise|publisher=WUWM|date=February 21, 2011|author=Henzl, Ann-Elise|access-date=2011-03-04|archive-date=July 18, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718122748/http://www.wuwm.com/programs/news/view_news.php?articleid=7867|url-status=dead}}

On February 28, Democratic Representative Gordon Hintz formally apologized for threatening remarks made to Republican Representative Michelle Litjens on the Assembly floor following the vote.{{cite news|url=http://www.postcrescent.com/article/20110228/APC0101/303010023/Wisconsin-Rep-Gordon-Hintz-apologizes-comments-made-Assembly-floor-following-budget-vote|title=Wisconsin Rep. Gordon Hintz apologizes for comments made on Assembly floor following budget vote|work=The Post-Crescent|date=February 28, 2011|agency=Associated Press|access-date=2011-03-22|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110303062842/http://www.postcrescent.com/article/20110228/APC0101/303010023/Wisconsin-Rep-Gordon-Hintz-apologizes-comments-made-Assembly-floor-following-budget-vote|archive-date=March 3, 2011|df=mdy-all}} On February 28, the largest public union filed an unfair labor practices complaint with the state labor relations board, claiming that Walker had a duty to negotiate, but had refused. {{Citation needed|date=October 2013}}

On March 3, police found 41 rounds of 22-caliber rifle ammunition outside the Wisconsin state Capitol.{{cite news|author=David Ariosto |url=http://www.cnn.com/2011/POLITICS/03/03/wisconsin.budget/index.html |title=Wisconsin governor tells absent senators: Return or 1,500 get laid off |publisher=CNN |access-date=2011-03-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110304052204/http://www.cnn.com/2011/POLITICS/03/03/wisconsin.budget/index.html |archive-date=March 4, 2011 |url-status=live |df=mdy }} Ammunition was also found inside a city and county government building in downtown Madison.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/04/us/04states.html?_r=1|title=Bill Weakening Union Rights Moves to Ohio House|date=March 3, 2011|access-date=2011-03-13|work=The New York Times|first=Monica|last=Davey|archive-date=October 31, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181031174813/https://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/04/us/04states.html?_r=1|url-status=live}} That same day security at the Capitol had become so restrictive that a team of firefighters responding to an emergency call were denied access to the building.{{cite web|author=Patrick Marley |url=http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/117349798.html |title=Firefighters denied access to Capitol during emergency call |work=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel |access-date=2011-03-04 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20110305195351/http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/117349798.html |archive-date=March 5, 2011 |url-status=live |df=mdy }} On the same night, Rep. Nick Milroy (D-WI) was tackled by law enforcement officers while attempting to enter the Capitol to retrieve clothes. Milroy said in a statement that "no harm was done," but criticized the "armed-palace environment created by Gov. Walker."{{cite web |url=http://www.wkow.com/Global/story.asp?S=14185537 |title=Rep. Nick Milroy tackled while trying to enter Capitol |work=WKOW-TV |location=Madison, WI |date=March 4, 2011 |access-date=2011-03-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110305044850/http://www.wkow.com/Global/story.asp?S=14185537 |archive-date=March 5, 2011 |url-status=dead |df=mdy }}{{cite web|url=http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/documents/2011/03/wisconsin-rep-nick-milroys-statement-on-his-attempt-to-enter-the-capitol-thursday-evening.php?page=1|title=Wisconsin Rep. Nick Milroy's Statement On His Attempt to Enter the Capitol Thursday Evening|work=TPM|access-date=2011-03-04|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110306174523/http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/documents/2011/03/wisconsin-rep-nick-milroys-statement-on-his-attempt-to-enter-the-capitol-thursday-evening.php?page=1|archive-date=March 6, 2011|df=mdy-all}}{{cite news|author=Ariosto, David|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2011/POLITICS/03/04/wisconsin.budget/|title=Wisconsin Democrat tackled as he tries to enter Capitol|work=CNN|date=March 4, 2011|access-date=2011-03-04|archive-date=March 7, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110307011724/http://edition.cnn.com/2011/POLITICS/03/04/wisconsin.budget/|url-status=live}} Also that same day, after occupation of the Capitol for more than two weeks, the final group of pro-union protesters left the building peacefully after Dane County Circuit Judge John Albert ordered their removal. The judge ruled that activists could not stay in the building overnight, but he ordered authorities to end the lockdown on the building and restore normal access by March 6.{{cite web|url=http://www.newser.com/story/113342/protesters-leave-wisconsin-capitol.html|title=Protesters Leave Wisconsin Capitol – Judge rules against overnight stays but in favor of restoring public access|date=March 4, 2011|publisher=Newser.com|access-date=2011-03-12|archive-date=March 7, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110307115958/http://www.newser.com/story/113342/protesters-leave-wisconsin-capitol.html?|url-status=live}}

On March 4, Governor Walker threatened to send layoff notices to 1,500 state employees if the budget repair bill was not passed.{{cite news|last=Mayers|first=Jeff|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/wisconsin-budget-idUSN0417864120110304|title=Wisconsin governor prepares layoffs amid standoff|work=Reuters|date=March 4, 2011|access-date=2011-03-04|archive-date=August 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210813030829/https://www.reuters.com/article/wisconsin-budget-idUSN0417864120110304|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0311/50657.html|title=Walker readies layoff plan|author=Epstein, Jennifer|work=Politico|date=March 4, 2011|access-date=2011-03-04|archive-date=March 5, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110305181518/http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0311/50657.html|url-status=live}} According to Walker, this move was needed to save the state $30 million. However, in the February 28 phone call, Walker had discussed using the threat of layoffs as a political weapon to put pressure on the Senate Democrats, saying "We might ratchet that up a little bit, you know."{{cite web|url=http://host.madison.com/wsj/article_531276b6-3f6a-11e0-b288-001cc4c002e0.html|title=Transcript of prank Koch-Walker conversation|publisher=Host.madison.com|date=February 23, 2011|access-date=2011-03-04|archive-date=February 26, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110226215656/http://host.madison.com/wsj/article_531276b6-3f6a-11e0-b288-001cc4c002e0.html?|url-status=live}}{{cite web|author=Kleefeld, Eric|date=March 3, 2011|url=http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/03/walker-layoff-notices-coming-friday.php|title=Walker: Layoff Notices Coming Friday|publisher=TPMDC|access-date=2011-03-04|archive-date=March 5, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110305170817/http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/03/walker-layoff-notices-coming-friday.php|url-status=live}}

On March 5, filmmaker Michael Moore spoke to a crowd of 50,000 protesters, drawing cheers from the crowd as he repeatedly said, "America is not broke," and adding, "The country is awash in wealth and cash. It's just that it's not in your hands. It has been transferred, in the greatest heist in history, from the workers and consumers to the banks and the portfolios of the uber-rich."{{cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-moore/america-is-not-broke_b_832006.html |title=Michael Moore: America Is Not Broke |work=Huffingtonpost.com |access-date=2011-03-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110310160242/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-moore/america-is-not-broke_b_832006.html |archive-date=March 10, 2011 |url-status=live |date=March 6, 2011 |df=mdy }}{{cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/05/michael-moore-joins-wisconsin-protests_n_831886.html |title=Michael Moore Joins Wisconsin Pro-Union Protesters |work=Huffingtonpost.com |date=March 4, 2011 |access-date=2011-03-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110306061843/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/05/michael-moore-joins-wisconsin-protests_n_831886.html |archive-date=March 6, 2011 |url-status=live |df=mdy }}

The Wisconsin Senate amended the bill to remove financial items, allowing it to be passed without a quorum. This allowed Republicans to pass the bill without Democrats present on March 9. None of the 14 Democrats were present for the vote. Senator Schultz was the lone "Nay" vote, with the other 17 Republicans voting to pass the amended bill. The amended bill was then sent to the Assembly.

On Thursday, March 10, the Wisconsin Assembly passed the amended collective bargaining bill with a vote of 53–42.{{cite news|url=https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2011/proposals/jr1/ab11|title=Assembly Bill 11|publisher=2011–2012 Wisconsin Legislature|access-date=2011-10-28|archive-date=December 17, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111217033443/http://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2011/proposals/jr1/AB11|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/117735163.html|title=Assembly passes union measure after bitter debate|work=Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel|access-date=2011-10-28|archive-date=November 15, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111115120718/http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/117735163.html|url-status=live}} Protesters and Assembly Democrats shouted "shame!" as the Republicans quickly filed out of the building.{{cite news|url=http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2011/03/10/wisconsin-assembly-poised-to-pass-controversial-labor-bill/?hpt=T1&iref=BN1|title=Wisconsin Assembly passes controversial labor bill – This Just In – CNN.com Blogs|publisher=News.blogs.cnn.com|access-date=2011-03-12|date=March 10, 2011|archive-date=March 13, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110313073830/http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2011/03/10/wisconsin-assembly-poised-to-pass-controversial-labor-bill/?hpt=T1&iref=BN1|url-status=dead}} Assembly Minority Leader Peter Barca filed a complaint the following morning with the Dane County district attorney charging that the Joint Conference Committee that convened at 6 pm Wednesday and passed an amended version of Gov. Scott Walker's budget repair bill was in violation of the open meetings law. The complaint stated that Assembly Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald and his brother, Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald and others "knowingly attended the meeting in violation of the Open Meetings law" and were subject to penalties identified in state statute. The complaint asked that the actions taken at the meeting be declared void.{{cite news|url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/plum-line/COMPLAINT.pdf|title=Open Meetings Law complaint, posted at washingtonpost.com|access-date=2011-03-13|newspaper=The Washington Post|archive-date=July 8, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708221012/http://voices.washingtonpost.com/plum-line/COMPLAINT.pdf|url-status=dead}} Democrats promised to sue to overturn the law.{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-pn-0312-wisconsin-unions-scott-wal20110312,0,1175947.story |title=Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker signs bill limiting public unions' rights |work=Los Angeles Times |date=March 12, 2011 |access-date=2011-03-13 |first1=Ryan |last1=Haggerty |first2=Michael |last2=Muskal |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110315063554/http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-pn-0312-wisconsin-unions-scott-wal20110312%2C0%2C1175947.story |archive-date=March 15, 2011 |url-status=live |df=mdy }} The 18 Republican state senators who voted for the law received death threats.{{cite web|author=Litke, Eric|date=March 10, 2011|url=http://www.postcrescent.com/article/20110311/APC0101/103110516/Multimedia-18-GOP-senators-report-getting-death-threats?odyssey=nav|title=18 Republican senators from Wisconsin reported getting death threats after passing bill to end collective bargaining for most public workers|publisher=Appleton Post-Crescent|access-date=2013-04-24|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120910183450/http://www.postcrescent.com/article/20110311/APC0101/103110516/Multimedia-18-GOP-senators-report-getting-death-threats?odyssey=nav|archive-date=September 10, 2012|df=mdy-all}}

Shortly afterwards, hundreds of protesters gathered outside the locked entrance to the Capitol, chanting "Break down the door!" and "General strike!" The crowds grew to thousands, surging into the Capitol. Police did not attempt to remove them. Department of Administration spokesman Tim Donovan said although protesters were being encouraged to leave, no one would be forcibly removed. Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz said he had instructed Madison Police Chief Noble Wray not to allow his officers to participate in removing demonstrators from the building.{{cite web|url=http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_260247e0-4ac4-11e0-bfa9-001cc4c03286.html|title=Thousands storm Capitol as GOP takes action|date=March 10, 2011|publisher=Host.madison.com|access-date=2011-03-12|archive-date=March 12, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110312010904/http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_260247e0-4ac4-11e0-bfa9-001cc4c03286.html|url-status=live}}

Katherine R. Windels of Cross Plains, Wisconsin sent death threat e-mails to Republican lawmakers the same day the legislation passed, and was arrested and charged with two felony and two misdemeanor counts by the Dane County district attorney.{{cite web|url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/119037014.html |title=Sixteen Republicans were warned they, families would be killed after vote on union measure |publisher=Jsonline.com |access-date=2011-04-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511134822/http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/119037014.html |archive-date=May 11, 2011 |url-status=live |df=mdy }}{{cite web|url=https://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110331/us_nm/us_wisconsin_threats|title=Woman charged with e-mail threats in Wisconsin union fight|publisher=News.yahoo.com|date=March 28, 2011|access-date=2011-04-03|archive-date=April 6, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110406040730/http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110331/us_nm/us_wisconsin_threats|url-status=live}}

In the opinion section of The Wall Street Journal on March 10, 2011,{{cite news|author=Walker, Scott|date=March 10, 2011|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704132204576190260787805984?mod=WSJ_hps_sections_opinion|title=Why I'm Fighting in Wisconsin|publisher=WSJ.com|access-date=2011-03-10|archive-date=October 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171004140055/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704132204576190260787805984?mod=WSJ_hps_sections_opinion|url-status=live}} Governor Walker expressed his reasons for "fighting in Wisconsin". He started his message discussing a teacher from Milwaukee Public Schools, Megan Sampson, who was named Outstanding Teacher of the Year (Walker was not truthful about the teacher's title),{{cite web|url=http://www.politifact.com/wisconsin/statements/2015/feb/16/scott-walker/gov-scott-walker-says-wisconsins-teacher-year-was-/|title=Gov. Scott Walker says Wisconsin's 'teacher of the year' was laid off due to union contract|access-date=October 4, 2017|archive-date=October 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171004135836/http://www.politifact.com/wisconsin/statements/2015/feb/16/scott-walker/gov-scott-walker-says-wisconsins-teacher-year-was-/|url-status=live}} but received a layoff notice a week later.{{cite web|author=Richards, Erin |date=June 14, 2010 |url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/education/96349689.html |title=Seniority system cuts fresh MPS teachers amid budget crunch |publisher=JSOnline.com |access-date=2011-03-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110311203500/http://www.jsonline.com//news//education//96349689.html |archive-date=March 11, 2011 |url-status=live |df=mdy }} He stated that the collective-bargaining contract requires staffing decisions to be made based on seniority and she got a layoff notice because the union leadership would not accept reasonable changes to their contract. Instead, according to Walker, they hid behind a collective-bargaining agreement that cost the taxpayers $101,091 per year for each teacher,{{cite web|author=McCormack, John|date=March 4, 2011|url=http://washingtonexaminer.com/blogs/beltway-confidential/2011/03/101091-average-annual-compensation-milwaukee-teachers|title=$101,091: Average annual compensation for Milwaukee teachers|work=Washington Examiner|access-date=2011-03-10|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120915023447/http://washingtonexaminer.com/article/141736#.UFPpVS3P1qY|archive-date=2012-09-15}} protected a 0% contribution for health-insurance premiums, and forced schools to hire and fire based on seniority and union rules. Walker's budget-repair bill would reform the union-controlled hiring and firing process by allowing school districts to assign staff based on merit and performance. He stated that most states in the country are facing major budget deficits. Many are cutting billions of dollars of aid to schools and local governments, and that these cuts lead to massive layoffs or increases in property taxes—or both. His proposal gave state and local governments the tools to balance the budget through reasonable benefit contributions. In total, Walker said the budget-repair bill saves local governments almost $1.5 billion, outweighing the reductions in state aid in the budget. He added that the unions claim they are willing to accept concessions, but their actions spoke louder than their words.{{cite web|author=|date=February 16, 2011|url=http://www.gazettextra.com/news/2011/feb/16/cities-rush-settle-contracts-legislature-approves-|title=Cities rush to settle contracts before Legislature approves bill|work=Janesville Gazette|access-date=2011-03-12|archive-date=July 11, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711080253/http://www.gazettextra.com/news/2011/feb/16/cities-rush-settle-contracts-legislature-approves-/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|author=Schnieder, Christian|date=March 3, 2011|url=http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/261218/wisconsin-officials-rush-walker-proof-their-benefits-christian-schneider|title=Wisconsin Officials Rush to Walker-Proof Their Benefits|work=National Review|access-date=2011-03-12|archive-date=March 5, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110305223458/http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/261218/wisconsin-officials-rush-walker-proof-their-benefits-christian-schneider|url-status=live}}{{cite web|author=|date=February 27, 2011|url=http://www.fox6now.com/news/investigators/witi-20110227-matc-contract,0,1471980.story|title=FOX6 Investigators: Is MATC playing fair by rushing through a new employee contract?|publisher=Fox6Now.com|access-date=2011-05-25|archive-date=July 20, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720030720/http://www.fox6now.com/news/investigators/witi-20110227-matc-contract,0,1471980.story|url-status=dead}} During the three weeks following the publication of the opinion piece, local unions across the state pursued contracts without new pension or health-insurance contributions.{{cite web|author=Ireland, Rob|date=February 23, 2011|url=http://www.lakegenevanews.net/Articles-i-2011-02-24-244155.114135-With-repair-bill-looming-teachers-settle-contracts.html|title=With repair bill looming, teachers settle contracts|work=Lake Geneva News|access-date=2011-03-12|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130413194437/http://www.lakegenevanews.net/Articles-i-2011-02-24-244155.114135-With-repair-bill-looming-teachers-settle-contracts.html|archive-date=April 13, 2013|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}{{cite web|author=|date=March 9, 2011|url=http://journaltimes.com/news/local/vmix_53df93fc-4a4c-11e0-af98-001cc4c03286.html|title=RAW VIDEO: Unified teachers to vote on contract|work=The Journal Times|access-date=2011-03-12|archive-date=October 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171004135645/http://journaltimes.com/news/local/vmix_53df93fc-4a4c-11e0-af98-001cc4c03286.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|author=|date=March 1, 2011|url=http://www.620wtmj.com/news/local/117141683.html|title=Capitol Chaos: Impact On Wauk. Teachers|publisher=620WTMJ.com|access-date=2011-03-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110306140212/http://www.620wtmj.com/news/local/117141683.html|archive-date=March 6, 2011|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}{{cite web|author=Sanchick, Myra|date=March 1, 2011|url=http://www.fox6now.com/news/witi-20110301-union-contracts,0,5393487.story?track=rss|title=Some teacher unions across Wisconsin rush to sign contracts; others choose to wait|publisher=Fox6Now.com|access-date=2011-03-12|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711022336/http://www.fox6now.com/news/politics/witi-20110301-union-contracts,0,1465046.story|archive-date=2011-07-11}}

Walker cited Governor Mitch Daniels as an example for his own budget repair when they repealed collective bargaining in Indiana in 2005,{{cite web|author1=Maynard |author2=Goodman |date=February 24, 2011 |url=http://www.stateline.org/live/details/story?contentId=553067 |title=Behind collective bargaining debate, mixed experiences in the states |publisher=Stateline.org |access-date=2011-03-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110228104408/http://www.stateline.org/live/details/story?contentId=553067 |archive-date=February 28, 2011 |url-status=live |df=mdy }} and claims it helped government become more efficient and responsive. He said the average pay for Indiana state employees has actually increased, and high-performing employees are rewarded with pay increases or bonuses when they do something exceptional and that passage of the budget-repair bill will help put similar reforms into place in Wisconsin.

On March 11, Governor Walker signed the bill and put out a statement rescinding layoff notices for 1,500 public workers. He said the bill's passage "helped us save 1,500 middle-class jobs by moving forward this week with the budget repair. The state will now be able to realize $30 million in savings to balance the budget and allow 1,500 state employees to keep their jobs."{{cite news|last=Condon|first=Stephanie|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20042122-503544.html|title=Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker signs anti-union bill – but Democrats say they're the political victors – Political Hotsheet|work=CBS News|date=March 11, 2011|access-date=2011-03-12|archive-date=October 30, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131030041523/http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20042122-503544.html|url-status=dead}} In response, Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk filed a lawsuit against the state regarding the bill, stating that it was unconstitutionally passed because the budget repair bill contained fiscal provisions. Judge Amy Smith recused herself from hearing the case, which was instead heard by Judge Maryann Sumi.{{cite web|url=http://www.superiortelegram.com/event/article/id/51511|title=Lawsuit seeks to block implementation of union law | Superior Telegram | Superior, Wisconsin|work=Superior Telegram|date=March 14, 2011|access-date=2011-03-21|archive-date=March 16, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110316174731/http://www.superiortelegram.com/event/article/id/51511/|url-status=live}}{{cite web |author= |url=http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/crime_and_courts/article_fb2c1292-4e62-11e0-a195-001cc4c002e0.html |title=Judge recuses self from county lawsuit against collective bargaining law |publisher=Host.madison.com |date=March 14, 2011 |access-date=2011-03-21 |archive-date=March 17, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110317084006/http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/crime_and_courts/article_fb2c1292-4e62-11e0-a195-001cc4c002e0.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.courthousenews.com/2011/03/14/34877.htm |title=Courthouse News Service |work=Courthousenews.com |date=March 14, 2011 |access-date=2011-03-21 |archive-date=March 18, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110318211005/http://www.courthousenews.com/2011/03/14/34877.htm |url-status=live }}{{cite news|last=Cronin|first=Margaret|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-03-15/wisconsin-collective-bargaining-statute-challenge-gets-march-18-hearing.html|title=Wisconsin Anti-Union Legislation Lawsuit Will Come Before Judge March 18|publisher=Bloomberg News|date=March 15, 2011|access-date=2011-03-21|archive-date=October 29, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029222007/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-03-15/wisconsin-collective-bargaining-statute-challenge-gets-march-18-hearing.html|url-status=live}} A second lawsuit was filed against the state on similar grounds on March 16 by Dane County District Attorney Ismael Ozanne.{{cite news|agency=Associated Press|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wis-prosecutor-files-lawsuit-challenging-union-law-alleges-gop-violated-open-meetings-law/2011/03/16/ABLodRh_story.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181224211731/https://www.washingtonpost.com/wis-prosecutor-files-lawsuit-challenging-union-law-alleges-gop-violated-open-meetings-law/2011/03/16/ABLodRh_story.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 24, 2018|title=Wis. prosecutor files lawsuit challenging union law, alleges GOP violated open meetings law|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=March 14, 2011|access-date=2011-03-21}} The Wisconsin Secretary of State, Doug La Follette, a Democrat, delayed publishing the law as long as possible under the law.[http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_ed8497da-4c1a-11e0-8669-001cc4c03286.html "Secretary of state won't publish bargaining law until March 25"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110831111529/http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_ed8497da-4c1a-11e0-8669-001cc4c03286.html |date=August 31, 2011 }}, Wisconsin State Journal

On March 12, the fourteen Democratic senators who had left the state returned and were met by crowds of between 85,000 and 185,000, the largest crowds yet of the four weeks of protests.{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/usa-wisconsin-idUSN1227540420110313|work=Reuters|title=Up to 100,000 protest Wisconsin law curbing unions|date=March 12, 2011|first=James B.|last=Kelleher|access-date=July 5, 2021|archive-date=August 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210813010813/https://www.reuters.com/article/usa-wisconsin-idUSN1227540420110313|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://wisaflcio.typepad.com/wisconsin-state-afl-cio-blog/2011/03/united-to-support-wisconsin-workers.html|title=United to Support Wisconsin Workers|date=March 13, 2011|publisher=Wisconsin AFL–CIO|access-date=March 15, 2011|archive-date=March 19, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110319042051/http://wisaflcio.typepad.com/wisconsin-state-afl-cio-blog/2011/03/united-to-support-wisconsin-workers.html|url-status=live}} Teachers, police, firefighters, nurses, and students were joined by farmers who paraded their farm vehicles around Capitol Square. One of the returning senators, Spencer Coggs, said that "[w]e are back to unite and fight with our supporters. We gave them hope. They gave us inspiration." In contrast, senate majority leader Scott Fitzgerald said that the returning senators were "the most shameful 14 people in the state of Wisconsin [...] an absolute insult to the hundreds of thousands of Wisconsinites who are struggling to find a job, much less one they can run away from and go down to Illinois."{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/13/us/13wisconsin.html |title=Wisconsin Legislators Return From Hiding |access-date=March 12, 2011 |date=March 12, 2011 |work=The New York Times |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180429074609/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/13/us/13wisconsin.html?_r=1 |archive-date=April 29, 2018 |first=A. G. |last=Sulzberger |url-status=live |df=mdy}}

On March 18, Dane County judge Maryann Sumi issued a stay on the collective bargaining bill in response to the lawsuit by Dane County District Attorney Ismael Ozanne. Ozanne had argued that the legislative committee violated the state's open meetings law, and that the budget repair bill was illegally passed because it contained budgetary provisions (and hence required a quorum). Sumi stated that the lawsuit was "likely to succeed on the merits."{{cite web|author=Patrick Marley |url=http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/118242109.html |title=Dane County judge halts collective bargaining law |publisher=JSOnline |access-date=2011-03-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110430043207/http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/118242109.html |archive-date=April 30, 2011 |url-status=live |df=mdy}}{{cite web|url=http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_efe5ca04-4f2f-11e0-9aa7-001cc4c002e0.html|title=Judge says decision on bargaining lawsuit likely won't be soon|publisher=Host.madison.com|date=March 16, 2011|access-date=2011-03-21|archive-date=March 18, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110318173926/http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_efe5ca04-4f2f-11e0-9aa7-001cc4c002e0.html|url-status=live}} The judge's action did not prevent the legislature from meeting again and approving the bill a second time.{{cite web|url=http://www.kare11.com/news/article/914926/396/Wisconsin-judge-stops-budget-law-with-restraining-order|title=Wis. judge stops budget law with restraining order|publisher=kare11.com|access-date=2011-03-21|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120907222337/http://www.kare11.com/news/article/914926/396/Wisconsin-judge-stops-budget-law-with-restraining-order|archive-date=September 7, 2012|df=mdy-all}}

On March 25, an additional lawsuit was filed against the state alleging that the budget repair bill still contained budget provisions, and hence was unlawfully passed by the state as it would have required a quorum.{{cite web|author=Ed Treleven|url=http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_bd6ad8d0-571d-11e0-8088-001cc4c002e0.html|title=Lawsuit alleges stripped-down union bill approved by Senate still had fiscal provisions|publisher=Host.madison.com|date=March 25, 2011|access-date=2011-04-03|archive-date=February 27, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170227051421/http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_bd6ad8d0-571d-11e0-8088-001cc4c002e0.html|url-status=live}} Also on March 25, after meeting with Senate Republicans, the Legislative Reference Bureau bypassed the Secretary of State's office and officially published the collective bargaining law. There had been a court-issued restraining order restricting its publication, but the order was issued against the Secretary of State's office instead of the Bureau. According to the director of the Bureau, the publication is a purely ministerial act that forwards the bill to the Secretary of State; the bill needs to be published by the Secretary of State to become law. Despite this, Republicans claimed the bill was officially law and planned to enforce it.{{cite web|url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/118677754.html |title=Collective bargaining law published despite restraining order |publisher=JSOnline |date=March 25, 2011 |access-date=2011-04-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110402031410/http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/118677754.html |archive-date=April 2, 2011 |url-status=live |df=mdy}} On March 29, Judge Maryann Sumi ruled the bill had not become law, and public officials who attempted to enforce it risked legal sanctions.{{cite web|url=http://www.biztimes.com/daily/2011/3/29/judge-again-blocks-walkers-collective-bargaining-bill|title=Judge again blocks Walker's collective bargaining bill|work=BizTimes|date=March 29, 2011|access-date=2011-04-03|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110430145222/http://www.biztimes.com/daily/2011/3/29/judge-again-blocks-walkers-collective-bargaining-bill|archive-date=April 30, 2011|df=mdy-all}} On April 14, Judge Sumi threw out the lawsuit against the collective bargaining law sought by Dane County Acting Executive Kathleen Falk and Dane County Board Chairman Scott McDonnell. Judge Sumi ruled that an "arm of the state can not sue the state."{{cite web|url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/119864074.html|title=Judge dismisses one of three lawsuits over collective bargaining act|publisher=JSOnline|date=April 14, 2011|access-date=2011-04-20|archive-date=April 18, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110418003028/http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/119864074.html|url-status=live}}

On April 9, demonstrators marched from the Capitol to the offices of the state business lobby, Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce. The action was sparked in part by attention given to Charles and David Koch, billionaire brothers and conservative activists, who had supported Governor Walker.{{cite web |url=http://host.madison.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_5c4eabd6-62d4-11e0-9c11-001cc4c002e0.html |title=Union supporters regroup after stunning election reversal |author=STEVEN VERBURG |date=April 10, 2011 |access-date=October 4, 2017 |archive-date=October 4, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171004140233/http://host.madison.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_5c4eabd6-62d4-11e0-9c11-001cc4c002e0.html |url-status=live }}

On April 13, the Hudson, Wisconsin Board of Education announced punishments ranging from one-day unpaid suspensions up to 15 days for teachers who called in sick on February 18, forcing their schools to close during the protests over the budget repair bill.[Wisconsin School Board Punishes Teachers Who Called in Sick During Protests]{{cite web|url=http://www.hudsonstarobserver.com/event/article/id/42592|title=Missing Hudson teachers face up to 15 day suspensions|access-date=October 4, 2017|archive-date=May 20, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130520181636/http://www.hudsonstarobserver.com/event/article/id/42592|url-status=live}}

On April 16, Sarah Palin attended a Tea Party rally in Madison. Speaking to the crowd, Palin stated, "Your governor did the right thing and you won! Your beautiful state won! And people still have their jobs!" The now deceased conservative blogger Andrew Breitbart spoke at the event and told labor supporters engaged in counter-protests, "Go to hell! You're trying to divide America!" Police estimated that about 6,500 people attended the event including Tea Party supporters and those demonstrating against the Walker administration policies.{{cite web|url=https://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110417/ap_on_re_us/us_wisconsin_tax_rally|title=Palin: Wis. gov doing the right thing with unions|publisher=News.yahoo.com|date=April 16, 2011|access-date=2011-04-20|archive-date=April 26, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110426003659/http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110417/ap_on_re_us/us_wisconsin_tax_rally|url-status=live}}

On April 20, the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reported costs associated with the protests. The Department of Natural Resources reported costs for personnel topped $350,000, and the parking tab for police to park their vehicles approached $100,000.[http://hotair.com/archives/2011/04/20/madison-protests-cost-wi-taxpayers-millions "Madison protests cost WI taxpayers millions"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110527000759/http://hotair.com/archives/2011/04/20/madison-protests-cost-wi-taxpayers-millions/ |date=May 27, 2011 }}, hotair.com, April 20, 2011.

On April 26, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health announced the discipline of 11 faculty members who distributed fake sick notes to public workers in order to protest, as well as twenty other doctors. The State of Wisconsin Medical Board disciplined seven doctors after receiving 300 complaints:[http://www.healthcarebs.com/2011/02/23/state-of-wisconsin-investigating-fake-sick-notes-from-union-friendly-doctors "Health Care Bs - State Of Wisconsin Investigating Fake Sick Notes From Union-Friendly Doctors"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111108172757/http://www.healthcarebs.com/2011/02/23/state-of-wisconsin-investigating-fake-sick-notes-from-union-friendly-doctors |date=November 8, 2011 }} Adam H. Balin, Mark B. Beamsley, Hannah M. Keevil, Bernard F. Micke, Kathleen A. Oriel, James H. Shropshire, and Louis A. Sanner.{{cite web|url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/board-could-discipline-seven-doctors-for-capitol-protest-sick-notes-lo335ki-133974403.html|title=State reprimands 7 doctors for Capitol protest sick notes|access-date=October 4, 2017|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304074159/http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/board-could-discipline-seven-doctors-for-capitol-protest-sick-notes-lo335ki-133974403.html|url-status=live}} Dr. Louis A. Sanner was identified as the fraud ringleader. Ten student residents were given written reprimands.{{cite web |url=http://host.madison.com/wsj/article_0869a5c6-7f47-11e1-a7f7-0019bb2963f4.html |title=UW sanctioned 20 doctors for writing sick notes for protesters |author=David Wahlberg |work=Wisconsin State Journal |date=April 6, 2012 |access-date=October 4, 2017 |archive-date=October 4, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171004140220/http://host.madison.com/wsj/article_0869a5c6-7f47-11e1-a7f7-0019bb2963f4.html |url-status=live }}

On April 28, it was reported that some of the doctors at the University of Wisconsin who gave out sick notes to union supporters skipping work to protest would face punishment ranging from written reprimands to docked pay and loss of leadership positions. The Medical Examining Board and state Department of Licensing and Regulation investigated the doctors.[https://www.foxnews.com/politics/university-of-wisconsin-considering-punishing-doctors-who-issued-sick-notes-to-protesters/ "University of Wisconsin Considering Punishing Doctors Who Issued Sick Notes to Protesters"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110501134553/http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/04/28/university-wisconsin-considering-punishing-doctors-issued-sick-notes-protesters/? |date=May 1, 2011 }}, Fox News, April 28, 2011. The medical school reviewed 22 doctors said to have been involved in giving medical excuses to protesters at the Capitol. At least a dozen doctors received disciplinary action in late April or early May. Some of the doctors appealed, and most cases were resolved by early July. The Wisconsin Medical Society criticized the doctors' actions, saying they threatened the public's trust in the medical profession. The state Department of Safety and Professional Services reviewed 11 doctors said to have written sick notes and launched formal investigations into eight of them. Sick notes that appeared to come from doctors at the protests were submitted by 84 teachers. The Madison School District denied a Wisconsin State Journal request to view the notes – with the teachers' names removed – under the state's open records law. The newspaper sued to have the notes released with a lawsuit now pending.[http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_7ba0e3c6-d022-11e0-bd2d-001cc4c03286.html "UW not finished disciplining doctors who wrote sick notes for protesters"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111010091446/http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_7ba0e3c6-d022-11e0-bd2d-001cc4c03286.html |date=October 10, 2011 }}, Wisconsin State Journal. The Madison School District could not release the notes at that time, as the notes were evidence in an investigation of two additional doctors who were later found guilty.[http://www.nbc15.com/home/headlines/Doctor_Notes_Provided_For_Protesting_Teachers_116544948.html UPDATE re doctor notes provided for protesting teachers] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120407002226/http://www.nbc15.com/home/headlines/Doctor_Notes_Provided_For_Protesting_Teachers_116544948.html |date=April 7, 2012 }}, NBC 15.

On May 12, 100 pages of public records were released that detailed the emotions and threats that occurred during the protests. The vast majority were determined to present "no criminal nexus or viable threat," but a few remained open as cases with the Division of Criminal Investigation. Of the 78 actions made public, about 30 were directed at Democrats, a few less {{clarify|date=October 2013}} at Walker and other Republicans, and the balance consisted of vague or implied threats against no specific target, or concerns over demonstrators.[http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/121721234.html "Records detail threats against Walker, lawmakers"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110514164821/http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/121721234.html |date=May 14, 2011 }}, jsonline.com

On May 14, the Wisconsin Department of Administration estimated overtime and cleanup costs for the protests will reach about $8 million, of which $270,000 was marked for interior and exterior Capitol building repairs caused by accelerated wear and tear.{{cite web |url=http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_5e262c4e-7d7e-11e0-a26d-001cc4c03286.html |title=Repairs to Capitol after protests will cost about $270K |author=Clay Barbour |date=May 14, 2011 |access-date=October 4, 2017 |archive-date=October 4, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171004140224/http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_5e262c4e-7d7e-11e0-a26d-001cc4c03286.html |url-status=live }} However, an investigation by Politifact on March 11 revealed that the Administration submitted a revised estimate of $347,500 after the original high estimate memo was released.{{cite web|title=Wisconsin officials claim cleaning up the state Capitol will cost $7.5 million|url=http://www.politifact.com/wisconsin/statements/2011/mar/08/mike-huebsch/wisconsin-officials-claim-cleaning-state-capitol-w/|publisher=Politifact Wisconsin|access-date=19 August 2014|archive-date=May 18, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140518191610/http://www.politifact.com/wisconsin/statements/2011/mar/08/mike-huebsch/wisconsin-officials-claim-cleaning-state-capitol-w/|url-status=live}} The same day, between 10,000 and 15,000 protesters participated in a rally protesting the collective bargaining bill, education cuts, BadgerCare cuts and immigrant rights. Christian Pacheco, a graduating high school senior, revealed at the protest that he was an illegal immigrant student. "My dream is to work hard and go to a UW school just like my peers", said Pacheco. "If I am force {{sic}} to pay out of state tuition, out of my pocket, as Walker's budget proposes this dream will be crushed." The crowd chanted in support of Pacheco of shedding light into his experiences as an illegal immigrant.{{cite web|url=http://www.prwatch.org/news/2011/05/10752/wisconsin-protesters-weather-pessimism-may-14-rally|title=Wisconsin Protesters Weather Pessimism at May 14 Rally|date=May 15, 2011|access-date=October 4, 2017|archive-date=October 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171004191700/https://www.prwatch.org/news/2011/05/10752/wisconsin-protesters-weather-pessimism-may-14-rally|url-status=live}}

On June 2 in Madison, a blood drive sponsored by the Red Cross had to be rescheduled due to loud singing by anti-Walker protesters. The singers later apologized and said they would sing outside the Capitol during the rescheduled event and that they would donate blood to help make up for any lost donations.{{cite news|title=Loud Protest Interrupts Blood Drive At Capitol|url=http://www.channel3000.com/news/28103109/detail.html|access-date=August 4, 2015|date=June 2, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110610204529/http://www.channel3000.com/news/28103109/detail.html|archive-date=June 10, 2011}}

On June 8 in Madison, pro-union protesters dressed as zombies and caused some concerns during an event where the Governor honored the accomplishments of members of the Special Olympics.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/wisconsin-protesters-target-special-olympics-ceremony/|title=Wisconsin Protesters Target Special Olympics Ceremony|date=June 9, 2011|publisher=Fox News|access-date=October 4, 2017|archive-date=May 11, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130511144108/http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/06/09/wisconsin-protesters-target-special-olympics-ceremony/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.620wtmj.com/blogs/charliesykes/123496824.html|title=Zombies Disrupt Special Olympics Event|access-date=October 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150502134200/http://www.620wtmj.com/blogs/charliesykes/123496824.html|archive-date=May 2, 2015|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}} The organizers of the ceremony said the demonstration had not disrupted their event. The protest occurred the same day Capitol Police removed a dozen protesters dressed as zombies from the office of Representative Robin Vos (R-Rochester) and arrested them. Senator Tim Carpenter (D-Milwaukee) issued a statement praising most demonstrators for being engaged in government but chiding a few for crossing the line in recent weeks.{{cite web|url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/123554474.html|title=Protest organizers disavow Special Olympics demonstration|website=www.jsonline.com|access-date=October 4, 2017|archive-date=March 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303235713/http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/123554474.html|url-status=live}}

Protesters began living in tents around the Capitol in a complex they deemed "Walkerville" around the time the 2012 fiscal year budget was being debated.{{cite news|url=http://articles.cnn.com/2011-06-05/politics/wisconsin.walkerville_1_protests-wisconsin-state-capitol-thousands?_s=PM:POLITICS|publisher=CNN|title=Wisconsin high court upholds collective bargaining law|date=June 14, 2011|access-date=June 26, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120129134930/http://articles.cnn.com/2011-06-05/politics/wisconsin.walkerville_1_protests-wisconsin-state-capitol-thousands?_s=PM:POLITICS|archive-date=January 29, 2012|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}{{cite web|url=http://www.channel3000.com/politics/28122147/detail.html|title=City Officials OK Permit For 'Walkerville' Camp Near Capitol|publisher=Channel3000.com|access-date=2011-10-28|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110903131932/http://www.channel3000.com/politics/28122147/detail.html|archive-date=September 3, 2011|df=mdy-all}}{{cite web|url=http://www.channel3000.com/politics/28266061/detail.html|title=State Senate Passes Budget|publisher=Channel3000.com|access-date=2011-10-28|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110903131942/http://www.channel3000.com/politics/28266061/detail.html|archive-date=September 3, 2011|df=mdy-all}}

On June 14, The Wisconsin Supreme Court unanimously found Judge Maryann Sumi breached separation of powers when she blocked a bill in the Legislature, and submitted opinions on the open meetings law based along partisan lines.{{cite web|url=https://www.scribd.com/doc/57884529/Wisconsin-Supreme-Court-on-Act-10-061411|title=Wisconsin Supreme Court on Act 10 061411 - United States Senate - Article Four Of The United States Constitution|website=Scribd|access-date=October 4, 2017|archive-date=March 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305165534/https://www.scribd.com/doc/57884529/Wisconsin-Supreme-Court-on-Act-10-061411|url-status=live}} The controversial bill was then reinstated. On June 15, all the public unions in Wisconsin sued Walker in federal court, [https://web.archive.org/web/20131029194015/http://media.jsonline.com/documents/unions_relief_complaint.pdf claiming collective bargaining rights are protected under the First Amendment], but the case never went to trial.{{Why?|date=October 2013}}

Around 3 a.m. on June 16, the Wisconsin State Assembly passed the 2012 fiscal year budget with a party line vote of 60–38. During the Senate debate, an onlooker was removed after screaming "Fascist" repeatedly at Republican Senator Glenn Grothman while he was speaking. The Senate subsequently approved the 2012 fiscal year budget later that day, with a party line vote of 19–14. Shortly after the vote, an onlooker repeatedly screamed "I want my democracy back!" and others screamed repeatedly "Kill the bill!" The screaming onlookers were removed shortly, except for the ones who chained themselves to the railing, who were later arrested.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-wisconsin-budget/wisconsin-senate-passes-budget-sends-to-governor-idUSTRE75G0LW20110617|title=Wisconsin Senate passes budget, sends to governor|date=June 17, 2011|access-date=October 4, 2017|work=Reuters|archive-date=October 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171004135802/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-wisconsin-budget/wisconsin-senate-passes-budget-sends-to-governor-idUSTRE75G0LW20110617|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.wisconsinreporter.com/senate-oks-budget-above-din-of-protesters|title=Senate OKs budget above din of protesters|work=Wisconsin Reporter|date=June 16, 2011|access-date=2011-10-28|archive-date=June 19, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110619110848/http://www.wisconsinreporter.com/senate-oks-budget-above-din-of-protesters|url-status=dead}}

On June 27, Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Ann Walsh Bradley filed a criminal complaint that claimed fellow Justice David Prosser "put her in a chokehold" on June 13. Other justices who claimed they witnessed the event were divided along partisan lines, with one side claiming Prosser attacked Bradley, and the other side claiming Bradley attacked Prosser.{{cite web|url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/124546064.html|title=Justices' feud gets physical|website=www.jsonline.com|access-date=October 4, 2017|archive-date=July 12, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110712034703/http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/124546064.html|url-status=live}} Two separate investigations resulted in no charges against either Prosser or Bradley.{{cite web|url=http://m.jsonline.com/more/news/128389748.htm|title=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Milwaukee and Wisconsin breaking news and investigations|website=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|access-date=October 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303220813/http://m.jsonline.com/more/news/128389748.htm|archive-date=March 3, 2016|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}

The size of protests continued to decline during June. A number of events have been linked to the decrease in momentum of the protests, including the election of David Prosser to the state Supreme Court,{{cite web|url=http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/122443704.html?page=1|title=State board declares Prosser winner|website=www.jsonline.com|access-date=October 4, 2017|archive-date=March 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303173554/http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/122443704.html?page=1|url-status=live}} the decision at the state supreme court on the collective bargaining law, and passage of Walker's budget in the state legislature.{{cite web|url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/Wisconsin-Legislature-apf-502060182.html?x=0&.v=4|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111013074456/https://finance.yahoo.com/news/Wisconsin-Legislature-apf-502060182.html?x=0&.v=4|url-status=dead|title=Wisconsin Legislature approves Walker's budget|archive-date=October 13, 2011}}{{cite web|url=http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/269681/wisconsins-incredible-shrinking-protest-christian-schneider|title=Wisconsin's Incredible Shrinking Protest|website=National Review|date=June 15, 2011|access-date=October 4, 2017|archive-date=December 11, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161211030834/http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/269681/wisconsins-incredible-shrinking-protest-christian-schneider|url-status=live}} Matthew Rothschild, editor of The Progressive magazine said "People see that Walker won everything big that he asked for, and despite all the great activism, we don't have anything to show for it. The mass protests that I expected this week at the Capitol in Madison did not materialize." By June 14, the number of protesters at the Capitol was approximately 5,000 and by June 16 the number was down to about 1,000.

When first announcing the budget repair bill on February 11, Walker said that the National Guard and other state agencies were prepared for any fallout including a walk-out by state prison guards.{{cite news|first=Monica |last=Davey |author2=Steven Greenhouse |title=Wisconsin May Take an Ax to State Workers' Benefits and Their Unions |date=February 11, 2011 |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/12/us/12unions.html?_r=1 |access-date=2011-02-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141217025133/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/12/us/12unions.html?_r=1 |archive-date=December 17, 2014 |url-status=live |df=mdy }} Although unable to cross state lines, Wisconsin State Patrol officers were sent to find the fleeing lawmakers.

On February 14, Sgt. Dave McClurg, vice president of the Madison Police Officers' Unions stated "Madison police will be in attendance both to protest and, possibly, to help with crowd control. McClurg says there have been some discussions about Madison police performing in this capacity, which he admits would not be "comfortable."{{cite news|last=Robbins|first=Dean|title=Wisconsin labor leaders declare solidarity against Walker's budget bill|url=http://www.thedailypage.com/daily/article.php?article=32245|access-date=August 17, 2012|newspaper=Isthmus|date=February 14, 2012|archive-date=July 29, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120729212240/http://www.thedailypage.com/daily/article.php?article=32245|url-status=dead}}

The City of Madison Police Spokesman Joel DeSpain issued a press-release on March 5, noting for the third weekend in a row that demonstrations had been peaceful. He said that there has been no arrests and no citations during the start of the weekend (March 4 and 5) where tens of thousands of protesters were present.{{cite web|last=DeSpain|first=Joel|title=Spokesman, Madison Police Department|url=http://www.cityofmadison.com/news/view.cfm?news_id=2526|publisher=City of Madison, Official Website|access-date=March 7, 2011|date=March 5, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110308060131/http://www.cityofmadison.com/news/view.cfm?news_id=2526|archive-date=March 8, 2011|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}

In March, a paid signature gatherer working for the Republican party was cited for theft when he stole items belonging to a couple visiting Lambeau Field. Police identified him from video footage and confronted him a few days later. He had a criminal record from Colorado (his home state) and "was staying at the Road Star Inn in Ashwaubenon with several other out-of-town canvassers" working to recall Democratic State Senator Dave Hansen.{{cite web|url=http://current.com/community/93154640_wisconsin-republican-party-drops-recall-worker-cited-in-lambeau-field-theft.htm|title=Current – A better way to spend, save and give|website=current.com|access-date=October 4, 2017|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120707173150/http://current.com/community/93154640_wisconsin-republican-party-drops-recall-worker-cited-in-lambeau-field-theft.htm|archive-date=July 7, 2012|url-status=dead}}

In April, Katherine R. Windels, aged 26, from Cross Plains, Wisconsin was charged with two felonies for allegedly sending death-threat emails to Republican state Senators.{{cite web|url=http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/04/26-year-old-woman-charged-with-sending-death-threats-to-gop-senators-in-wisconsin.php|title=26 Year-Old Woman Charged With Sending Death Threats To GOP Senators In Wisconsin|access-date=October 4, 2017|archive-date=April 2, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402172029/http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/04/26-year-old-woman-charged-with-sending-death-threats-to-gop-senators-in-wisconsin.php|url-status=live}}

FBI agents from Maine to California to Florida were involved regarding 100 pages of public records that were released, which detailed the emotions and threats that occurred during the protests. One man tweeted that he prayed an anvil would fall from the sky onto Walker. A suspect in Maine was arrested after sending letters to that state's Republican U.S. senators suggesting Walker should be killed and that all Republican governors resign. A Burbank, California resident who sent a long email offering a $50,000 bounty for Walker was interviewed by federal agents who determined he was mentally challenged and not a true threat. Police in Nebraska tracked down a man who posted to a Wisconsin man's Facebook page that he expected the shooting to start soon and that he would be ready to inflict nonlethal shots so others could hear screams. He told officers he got "carried away", hadn't intend to harm anyone and has never been to Wisconsin.

A Stevens Point man called the State Police after he heard his accountant, whose wife is a teacher, remark that if Walker didn't stop attacking teachers unions he'd be assassinated. An agent interviewed the accountant and determined there was no threat.

On June 8, a dozen silent demonstrators wearing zombie makeup and protest T-shirts were arrested after lying down on the floor of a legislator's Capitol offices and refusing to leave. Police carried out the demonstrators "one by one" after the group spent about half an hour in the offices of Representative Robin Vos (R-Rochester).{{cite web |url=http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/crime_and_courts/article_94a2b5fa-a0bc-5d69-9097-55ff3de76569.html |title=Silent 'zombie' protesters arrested at Capitol |author=Gayle Worland |work=Wisconsin State Journal |date=June 9, 2011 |access-date=October 4, 2017 |archive-date=October 4, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171004140231/http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/crime_and_courts/article_94a2b5fa-a0bc-5d69-9097-55ff3de76569.html |url-status=live }}

On June 16, two protesters were arrested after locking themselves onto the Senate gallery railing with bike locks. Later in the day six other people in the Capitol had been arrested on allegations of disorderly conduct.{{cite web|url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/124049524.html|title=Protesters lock themselves to Capitol railing|website=www.jsonline.com|access-date=October 4, 2017|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304000834/http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/124049524.html|url-status=live}}

On August 25, 13 protesters were arrested after they refused to leave the capitol after the designated 7 pm closing time. The protest came on the first day that higher pension and health contributions kick in for state employees.{{cite web |url=http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/128423073.html |title=Protesters arrested, carried out of Capitol rotunda |publisher=JSOnline |date=August 25, 2011 |access-date=2011-10-28 |archive-date=September 10, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110910080530/http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/128423073.html |url-status=live }}

In December 2011, a man was recorded threatening a Recall Walker signature gatherer. He was later charged with disorderly conduct for doing so.{{cite web |url=http://www.thenorthwestern.com/article/20120330/OSH0104/203300450/Man-charged-disorderly-conduct-changes-from-not-guilty-no-contest?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE |title=Man charged with disorderly conduct changes from not guilty to no contest |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140416181743/http://www.thenorthwestern.com/article/20120330/OSH0104/203300450/Man-charged-disorderly-conduct-changes-from-not-guilty-no-contest?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE |archive-date=April 16, 2014 |df=mdy-all}}

{{main|2011 Wisconsin Supreme Court election}}

The state supreme court race between 12-year incumbent David Prosser, Jr. and challenger Assistant Attorney General JoAnne Kloppenburg was widely seen as a referendum on Governor Walker's proposed budget reforms in Wisconsin,{{cite web|author=Chris Bury|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wisconsin-election-results-david-prosser-ally-governor-scott/story?id=13324581|title=Wisconsin Election Results: Conservative David Prosser Retakes Lead in Supreme Court Race|publisher=ABC News|date=April 7, 2011|access-date=2011-05-10|archive-date=May 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240518143845/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wisconsin-election-results-david-prosser-ally-governor-scott/story?id=13324581|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/05/us/politics/05wisconsin.html?_r=1|title=Wisconsin Election Is Referendum on Governor|work=New York Times|date=April 4, 2011|access-date=2011-05-10|first=Monica|last=Davey|archive-date=October 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171004191314/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/05/us/politics/05wisconsin.html?_r=1|url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=http://www.minnpost.com/stories/2011/04/04/27149/tuesdays_wisconsin_supreme_court_election_morphs_into_referendum_on_scott_walker |title=Tuesday's Wisconsin Supreme Court election morphs into referendum on Scott Walker |publisher=Minnpost.com |date=April 4, 2011 |access-date=2011-05-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110519034915/http://www.minnpost.com/stories/2011/04/04/27149/tuesdays_wisconsin_supreme_court_election_morphs_into_referendum_on_scott_walker |archive-date=May 19, 2011 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all}}{{cite web|url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/apr/4/justices-race-now-a-governors-referendum|title=Justice's race now a governor's referendum|work=Washington Times|date=April 4, 2011|access-date=2011-05-10|archive-date=April 12, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110412012322/http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/apr/4/justices-race-now-a-governors-referendum/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=State Justice questions union law|newspaper=The Oshkosh Northwestern|agency=Associated Press|location=Oshkosh, Wisconsin, US|date=2011-03-26|page=5|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-oshkosh-northwestern/172368951/|via=newspapers.com|access-date=2025-05-14}}{{cite news|last=Ungar|first=Rick|url=https://blogs.forbes.com/rickungar/2011/04/06/scott-walkers-election-nightmare-in-wisconsin|title=Scott Walker's Election Nightmare in Wisconsin|work=Forbes|date=April 6, 2011|access-date=2011-05-10|archive-date=April 8, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110408085317/http://blogs.forbes.com/rickungar/2011/04/06/scott-walkers-election-nightmare-in-wisconsin/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.wgntv.com/news/local/breaking/chibrknews-wis-election-seen-as-referendum-on-governor-20110405,0,895018.story?track=rss|title=OpenWayback|website=web.archive.bibalex.org|access-date=October 4, 2017|df=mdy-all|archive-date=December 8, 2011|archive-url=http://web.archive.bibalex.org/web/20111208141030/http://www.wgntv.com/news/local/breaking/chibrknews-wis-election-seen-as-referendum-on-governor-20110405,0,895018.story?track=rss|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|author=Steven Elbow|work=The Capital Times|url=http://host.madison.com/ct/news/local/govt-and-politics/elections/article_9e7336a2-54c5-11e0-b1fb-001cc4c002e0.html|title=Enraged by Walker, activists put Kloppenburg's Supreme Court campaign on their shoulders|publisher=Host.madison.com|date=March 23, 2011|access-date=2013-04-24|archive-date=March 26, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110326193343/http://host.madison.com/ct/news/local/govt-and-politics/elections/article_9e7336a2-54c5-11e0-b1fb-001cc4c002e0.html?|url-status=live}} with labor organizations and tea party groups explicitly making the connection{{cite news|title=Campaign finance case puts Prosser in hot seat - again|last=Elbow|first=Steven|newspaper=The Capital Times|location=Madison, Wisconsin, US|date=2011-08-24|page=6|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-capital-times/172377490/|via=newspapers.com|access-date=2025-05-14}}{{cite news|title=Justice questions union law|last=Richmond|first=Todd|agency=Associated Press|newspaper=The Daily Tribune|location=Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, US|date=2011-03-26|page=2|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-tribune/172377823/|via=newspapers.com|access-date=2025-05-14}}{{cite web|url=http://lakelandtimes.com/main.asp?SectionID=9&SubSectionID=9&ArticleID=12975|title=Prosser down, but unions fail in bid to repudiate Walker|work=Lakeland Times|access-date=2011-05-10|archive-date=August 19, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110819185011/http://lakelandtimes.com/main.asp?SectionID=9&SubSectionID=9&ArticleID=12975|url-status=dead}} while Governor Walker himself stating it was not.{{cite web|author=|url=http://www.channel3000.com/politics/27455691/detail.html|title=Walker Says Supreme Court Race Wasn't Referendum On Him|publisher=Channel3000.com|date=April 6, 2011|access-date=2011-05-10|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110513202518/http://www.channel3000.com/politics/27455691/detail.html|archive-date=May 13, 2011|df=mdy-all}} On Tuesday, April 5, one seat in the Wisconsin Supreme Court was up for election. At the time, the court had a conservative majority of 4-2-1 with Prosser identifying as a conservative and the seventh justice{{cite web|url=http://wislawjournal.com/blog/2007/08/20/crooks-still-supreme-courts-swing-vote|title=Wisconsin Law Journal Blog Archive: Crooks still Supreme Court's swing vote|publisher=Wislawjournal.com|date=August 20, 2007|access-date=2011-04-21|archive-date=May 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240518143821/https://wislawjournal.com/2007/08/20/crooks-still-supreme-courts-swing-vote/|url-status=live}} considered a swing vote. Both candidates stated their unhappiness with the increasingly partisan nature of the race.{{cite web|url=http://wtaq.com/news/articles/2011/mar/15/supreme-court-candidates-unhappy-partisan-aspect-r|title=Supreme Court Candidates Unhappy With Partisan Aspect in Race|publisher=WTAQ|date=March 15, 2011|access-date=2011-04-21|archive-date=March 18, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110318174730/http://www.wtaq.com/news/articles/2011/mar/15/supreme-court-candidates-unhappy-partisan-aspect-r/|url-status=dead}} Following a recount, the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board confirmed Prosser won the election.

File:Protest2.JPG.]]

Though the protest efforts are focused in Madison, there have been smaller protests throughout the rest of the state as well, with pro-union supporters{{cite web|url=http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/dpp/news/politics/gov-scott-walker-hudson-wis-mar-15-2011|title=Gov. Scott Walker Talks Budget in Hudson, Rallies Planned in Western Wisconsin|publisher=Myfoxtwincities.com|access-date=2011-03-21|archive-date=March 24, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110324023625/http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/dpp/news/politics/gov-scott-walker-hudson-wis-mar-15-2011|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.wsaw.com/news/headlines/Budget_Repair_Bill_Protestors_Hitting_Home__117902284.html|title=Protesters Gather Outside Sen. Galloway's Wausau Home|publisher=WSAW|access-date=2011-03-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110317031547/http://www.wsaw.com/news/headlines/Budget_Repair_Bill_Protestors_Hitting_Home__117902284.html|archive-date=March 17, 2011|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}{{cite web|url=http://www.weau.com/news/headlines/Hundreds_of_people_protest_outside_Republican_Sen_Dan_Kapankes_house_117833368.html|title=Hundreds of people protest outside Republican Sen. Dan Kapanke's house|publisher=WEAU|date=March 11, 2011|access-date=2011-03-21|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110315012238/http://www.weau.com/news/headlines/Hundreds_of_people_protest_outside_Republican_Sen_Dan_Kapankes_house_117833368.html|archive-date=March 15, 2011|df=mdy-all}} as well as Walker supporters.{{cite web|last=Scott|first=Stefanie|url=http://www.wauwatosanow.com/news/119894374.html|title=Wauwatosa to reconsider union contracts|publisher=Wauwatosanow.com|date=April 15, 2011|access-date=2011-04-20|archive-date=April 20, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110420053726/http://www.wauwatosanow.com/news/119894374.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.menomoneefallsnow.com/news/122510404.html?sort=most+thumbs+up|title=Despite opposition, School Board approves new teachers contract|publisher= MenomoneeFallsNOW|date=March 23, 2012|access-date=October 4, 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130128154758/http://www.menomoneefallsnow.com/news/122510404.html?sort=most+thumbs+up|archive-date=January 28, 2013|df=mdy-all}}

In various localities throughout the state, communities determined whether to extend{{cite web|url=https://www.news8000.com/news/la-crosse-co-board-votes-to-extend-union-contracts/article_c2240e2a-4a61-576d-af99-35282e8766d6.html|title=La Crosse Co board votes to extend union contracts|publisher=News 8000 (formerly WKBT)|access-date=2011-04-20}} or not to extend{{cite news|title=New union contracts removed from City Finance agenda|last=Tatge-Rozell|first=Jill|newspaper=Kenosha News|location=Kenosha, Wisconsin, US|date=2011-03-05|page=1|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/kenosha-news-union/144288156/|via=newspapers.com|access-date=2025-05-14}}{{cite news|title=Western county districts don't extend teacher contracts|last=Smith|first=Deneen|newspaper=Kenosha News|location=Kenosha, Wisconsin, US|date=2011-03-23|page=4|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/kenosha-news/172405437/|via=newspapers.com|access-date=2025-05-14}} union contracts before Governor Walker's budget repair bill took effect. In Wauwatosa, the common council voted not to ratify tentative agreements with the public works, dispatcher, clerical and fire unions after a crowd of about 100 people turned out, most urging city officials to wait until the governor's proposed state budget-repair bill became law. However, the council reconvened for a second time within a month to reconsider extending the contracts with both supporters and opponents lined up to speak at the special meeting held to reopen the discussion of the labor contracts, with the council voting 8–7 to extend the contracts.{{cite web|url=http://www.fox6now.com/news/witi-20110419-tosa-union-contracts,0,4034668.story?track=rss|title=Hundreds attend meeting on public employee contracts in Wauwatosa|last=Lowe|first=Mike|publisher=Fox 6|date=April 19, 2011|access-date=2011-04-21|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110503133810/http://www.fox6now.com/news/politics/witi-20110419-tosa-union-contracts,0,6928711.story|archive-date=2011-05-03}}{{cite web|url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/120250754.html|title=Wauwatosa OKs labor contracts after hot debate|publisher=Jsonline.com|date=April 19, 2011|access-date=2011-04-21|archive-date=April 27, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110427022457/http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/120250754.html|url-status=live}} The mayor subsequently vetoed{{cite web|url=http://media.jsonline.com/documents/Memo+to+City+Clerk+Re++Resolutions+pdf.pdf|title=Resolutions R-11-029, R-11-030, R-11-031|access-date=2011-04-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029193830/http://media.jsonline.com/documents/Memo+to+City+Clerk+Re++Resolutions+pdf.pdf|archive-date=October 29, 2013|url-status=dead}} the measure and criticized the council's decision to take the approach they did to policy making.{{cite web|url=https://news.yahoo.com/video/politics-15749652/24982029|title=Wauwatosa Mayor Vetoes Three Union Contracts|publisher=News.yahoo.com|access-date=2011-05-10}}{{cite web|last=Scott|first=Stefanie|url=http://www.wauwatosanow.com/news/120291454.html|title=Mayor vetoes labor contracts|publisher=Wauwatosanow.com|access-date=2011-04-21|archive-date=April 29, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110429080410/http://www.wauwatosanow.com/news/120291454.html|url-status=live}}

In Menomonee Falls, a majority of residents in attendance opposed a contract by a margin of nearly 5-to-1 against the ratification of new contracts, urging the board to wait, however it was passed after four hours of debate with members of the community shouting "shame" because the board approved the union contract extension.{{cite web|url=http://menomoneefalls.patch.com/articles/video-the-board-votes-the-crowd-cries-shame#video-6222537|title=Video: The Board Votes; The Crowd Cries 'Shame'|date=May 24, 2011|access-date=October 4, 2017|archive-date=September 29, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120929050846/http://menomoneefalls.patch.com/articles/video-the-board-votes-the-crowd-cries-shame#video-6222537|url-status=live}} The Menomonee Falls School District and the teachers reached a tentative agreement on a two-year contract settlement.{{cite web|url=http://www.menomoneefallsnow.com/news/122453564.html?page=4|title=Northwest Now - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|website=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|access-date=October 4, 2017|archive-date=March 29, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160329185748/http://www.menomoneefallsnow.com/news/122453564.html?page=4|url-status=live}} The board room was packed, and 50 to 75 more were gathered in the library watching the meeting on a live feed. Residents pleaded for the board to table the vote on the contract until more information could be gathered regarding the new contract. Residents said they wanted time to review the contract, discuss and debate it. The board signed a privacy provision with the teachers union in October before negotiations began. It restricted the board from releasing the actual 80-page contract document to the public before both the board and the teachers union approved it. The agreement also guaranteed a "yes" vote from two board members who are on the negotiating team. Even if the vote were delayed a week as requested, board members explained that they still would not be able to release the full contract document for the public to view. The board was unable to tell residents how much the co-pay for teachers would be with their new insurance provider. "We have to rely on our other board members", one board member said. "But in fairness to everyone, I will probably read it, but I will not read anything I don't already know." One local resident said of the actions by the school board, "What we have here is a major trust problem, and nobody trusts you right now."{{cite web|url=http://menomoneefalls.patch.com/articles/school-board-unaimously-approves-teacher-contract|title=UPDATE: School Board Unanimously Approves Teacher Contract|date=May 24, 2011|access-date=October 4, 2017|archive-date=September 29, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120929050903/http://menomoneefalls.patch.com/articles/school-board-unaimously-approves-teacher-contract|url-status=live}} If the courts ruled the bill was law when Walker signed it, the law would become retroactive to that date, and this contract becomes void. If the law isn't enacted until after the vote, this contract would be valid for the duration of the agreement.

Some unions were hoping to beat the deadline for the state's new collective bargaining law and get a new deal done.{{cite web|url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/124433839.html|title=Milwaukee County Board OKs nurses' contract extension|website=www.jsonline.com|access-date=October 4, 2017|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304043821/http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/124433839.html|url-status=live}} The Brown Deer School Board called for an emergency meeting the night before the budget repair law became effective to see if it could reach a last-minute deal with the teachers union. Dozens of Brown Deer taxpayers worried the board was going to rush through a teachers' contract before the law became effective. When asked if the teachers' union was trying to rush a deal to beat the deadline, Lisa Albers with the Brown Deer Education Association said: "I think rushing sounds a little bit harsh. The whole thing was we would work together and come to a common agreement." However, the board adjourned saying it needed more time. "We intend to make sure that we look at the governor's repair bill, said board president Gary Williams, "whatever we proposed will be consistent with the governor's repair bill."{{cite web|url=http://www.todaystmj4.com/news/local/124689394.html|title=Brown Deer School Board puts off last minute decision on teachers' contract|access-date=October 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120321195552/http://www.todaystmj4.com/news/local/124689394.html|archive-date=March 21, 2012|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}

Boycotts were implemented by opponents of Governor Walker's budget repair bill and other reforms by boycotting businesses whose executives had made political contributions to Walker. Boycotters said they wanted the companies to take a public position on Walker's bill, but some of the boycotted businesses did not do so. M&I Bank, one of the boycotted businesses, issued a statement that its employees contributed to both candidates in the last election.{{cite web|url=http://www.channel3000.com/money/27195515/detail.html|title=Citizens Call For Boycott of Walker Contributors|publisher=Channel3000.com|access-date=2011-05-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110426000019/http://www.channel3000.com/money/27195515/detail.html|archive-date=April 26, 2011|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}{{cite web|url=http://www.wisn.com/news/27194530/detail.html|title=Boycotts Target Businesses With Links To Wisconsin Gov|publisher=Wisn.com|date=March 14, 2011|access-date=2011-05-10|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320021338/http://www.wisn.com/news/27194530/detail.html|archive-date=March 20, 2012|df=mdy-all}} One labor union consortium consisting of the state's largest police and fire unions, along with some local teachers unions, urged their members to engage in what it characterized as "voluntary consumer activism" if M&I would not support collective bargaining. Shortly thereafter, "Miracle on the Hudson" pilot Jeffrey Skiles withdrew hundreds of thousands of dollars from his M&I accounts.{{cite web|author=Don Walker|url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/118141909.html|title=Union chief urges 'consumer activism' in collective bargaining fight|publisher=JSOnline|date=March 16, 2011|access-date=2011-10-28|archive-date=June 27, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110627183934/http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/118141909.html?|url-status=live}} Following the consortium's effort, David Galloway, the chairman of BMO Financial, which was in the process of purchasing M&I bank, stated that he supported "employees' rights to collectively bargain" after facing repeated questions on the subject at a March 22 shareholders' meeting in Vancouver.{{cite news|first=Rich|last=Kirchen|title=BMO chairman: M&I parachutes 'large'|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/blog/2011/03/bmo-chairman-mi-parachutes-large.html|work=Milwaukee Business Journal|date=March 24, 2011|access-date=2011-07-01|archive-date=November 2, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102232204/http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/blog/2011/03/bmo-chairman-mi-parachutes-large.html|url-status=live}}

There was an effort by the Wisconsin State Employees Union to circulate letters to businesses in southeast Wisconsin urging them to support workers’ rights by putting up a sign in their windows. If businesses failed to comply, the letter advised, "Failure to do so will leave us no choice but (to) do a public boycott of your business. And sorry, neutral means 'no' to those who work for the largest employer in the area and are union members."{{cite web|url=http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/118910229.html |title=WSEU circulating boycott letters |publisher=Jsonline.com |date=March 30, 2011 |access-date=2011-05-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110430024203/http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/118910229.html |archive-date=April 30, 2011 |url-status=live |df=mdy }} One local business owner said "I was just disappointed; I didn't like the tone of the letter. To me, it bordered on strong-arm tactics." Another business owner put up a sign that read "We Support Union Grove Not Bully Tactics".{{cite web|author=Michael Burke|url=http://www.journaltimes.com/news/local/article_aba5a224-5b8c-11e0-88b7-001cc4c03286.html|title=Numerous Union Grove shops threatened with union boycott|publisher=Journaltimes.com|date=March 31, 2011|access-date=2011-05-10|archive-date=June 4, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604051538/http://www.journaltimes.com/news/local/article_aba5a224-5b8c-11e0-88b7-001cc4c03286.html|url-status=live}}

Polls during this period differed by the political bias of pollster. For example, one poll would indicate 64% of Americans felt public employees should not be represented by public unions,{{cite press release|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/clarus-poll-64-of-voters-oppose-government-employee-unions-116481443.html|title=Clarus Poll: 64% of Voters Oppose Government Employee Unions|author=|publisher=PR Newswire|access-date=October 4, 2017|archive-date=October 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171004190612/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/clarus-poll-64-of-voters-oppose-government-employee-unions-116481443.html|url-status=live}} when other would indicate that 61% of Americans would oppose a law similar to the Wisconsin bill in their state while 33% were for it.{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/printedition/news/20110223/1awisconsinpoll23_st.art.htm?loc=interstitialskip|title=Public favors union rights|work=USA Today|date=February 23, 2011|first1=Judy|last1=Keen|first2=Dennis|last2=Cauchon|access-date=August 23, 2017|archive-date=October 16, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111016203441/http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/news/20110223/1awisconsinpoll23_st.art.htm?loc=interstitialskip|url-status=live}} A Rasmussen poll of Wisconsin voters conducted on March 2, 2011 reported that 39% support weakening collective bargaining rights while 52% oppose the idea. A majority said they supported the Democrats (52%) or the unions (56%) in the current dispute, while 41–44% supported Walker's position. Asked whether state workers should be given a 10% pay cut, 44% said yes, while 38% oppose a pay cut.{{cite web|url=http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/general_state_surveys/wisconsin/wisconsin_poll_support_for_budget_cutting_not_for_weakening_collective_bargaining_rights |title=Rasmussen: Wisconsin Poll: Support for Budget Cutting, Not for Weakening Collective Bargaining Rights, March 3, 2011 |publisher=Rasmussen Reports |access-date=2011-03-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110304214839/http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/general_state_surveys/wisconsin/wisconsin_poll_support_for_budget_cutting_not_for_weakening_collective_bargaining_rights |archive-date=March 4, 2011 |url-status=live |df=mdy}} Polling analyst Nate Silver criticized methodology of the Rasmussen polls in his The New York Times blog, claiming that it had biased questions, giving a misleadingly negative impression of the protesters.{{cite news|title=Rasmussen Poll on Wisconsin Dispute May Be Biased|first=Nate|last=Silver|author-link=Nate Silver|url=http://fivethirtyeight.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/02/21/rasmussen-poll-on-wisconsin-dispute-may-be-biased|newspaper=The New York Times|date=February 21, 2011|access-date=February 27, 2011|archive-date=February 25, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110225174829/http://fivethirtyeight.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/02/21/rasmussen-poll-on-wisconsin-dispute-may-be-biased/|url-status=live}}

In an analysis of several concurrent public opinion polls, pollster Scott Rasmussen identified the source of seeming contradictions in the results. The results depended on the way the questions are worded. If the collective bargaining issue was worded in the context of balancing the state budget, Governor Walker does better. If the question is worded more narrowly, mentioning only the collective bargaining dispute, the unions fare better.{{cite news|url=http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/political_commentary/commentary_by_scott_rasmussen/what_you_can_learn_about_wisconsin_dispute_from_differences_in_poll_questions|title=What You Can Learn About Wisconsin Dispute from Differences in Poll Questions|publisher=Rasmussen Reports|date=March 17, 2011|access-date=March 20, 2011|archive-date=March 10, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110310044459/http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/political_commentary/commentary_by_scott_rasmussen/what_you_can_learn_about_wisconsin_dispute_from_differences_in_poll_questions|url-status=live}} A Pulse Opinion Research poll conducted of likely Wisconsin voters found that 56% support collective bargaining rights for public employees with 32% opposed. In the same poll, approval and disapproval for the bill was split at 50%–50% while 49% supported the protesters and 48% opposed them.{{cite news|url=http://www.wisconsinreporter.com/new-poll-wisconsinites-split-on-walkers-budget-proposal|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110227175750/http://www.wisconsinreporter.com/new-poll-wisconsinites-split-on-walkers-budget-proposal|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 27, 2011|title=New poll: Wisconsinites split on Walker's budget proposal|work=Wisconsin Reporter|date=February 24, 2011}}

A Public Policy Polling poll of Wisconsin voters found that given a chance to vote in a rematch between Walker and 2010 Democratic nominee Tom Barrett, Walker would have lost 45%–52%. (In the actual election, Walker won 52–46%.){{cite web|url=http://publicpolicypolling.blogspot.com/2011/02/do-over.html |title=Public Policy Polling: Do over? |publisher=Publicpolicypolling.blogspot.com |date=February 28, 2011 |access-date=2011-03-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110305112634/http://publicpolicypolling.blogspot.com/2011/02/do-over.html |archive-date=March 5, 2011 |url-status=live |df=mdy }} The poll's analysis characterized the shift as the result of changing opinions due to the budget protests. Public Policy Polling (PPP) is a Democratic Party-affiliated polling firm based in Raleigh, North Carolina.{{cite news|url=http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0609/24062.html|title=Poll vs. pol: Richard Burr says numbers lie|last=Kraushaar|first=Josh|date=June 23, 2009|work=Politico|access-date=November 2, 2009|archive-date=January 30, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100130221943/http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0609/24062.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://www.newsobserver.com/politics/story/131521.html|title='Neighborhood schools' issue tapped anger|last=Goldsmith|first=Thomas|date=October 8, 2009|work=The News & Observer|access-date=November 2, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100205044619/http://www.newsobserver.com/politics/story/131521.html|archive-date=February 5, 2010|df=mdy-all}}{{cite news|url=https://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2009/09/27/20090927nowicki0927.html|title=Arizonans split down the middle on Obama|last=Nowicki|first=Dan|date=September 27, 2009|work=The Arizona Republic|access-date=November 2, 2009|archive-date=June 28, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628231614/http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2009/09/27/20090927nowicki0927.html|url-status=dead}}

A SUSA poll in the districts of Republican senators Dan Kapanke and Randy Hopper found that double-digit margins in both districts would vote to recall the Senators.{{cite news |last=Sargent |first=Greg |url=https://voices.washingtonpost.com/plum-line/2011/03/poll_majorities_support_recall.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121217213516/https://voices.washingtonpost.com/plum-line/2011/03/poll_majorities_support_recall.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 17, 2012 |title=Poll: Majorities support recall of two Wisconsin GOP senators |newspaper=Washington Post |date=April 13, 2010 |access-date=2011-03-12 |df=mdy-all}}

On March 15, PPP conducted a poll for Daily Kos in the districts of all eight Republican senators being recalled. The poll found that three trailed generic Democratic candidates, three had small leads, and two were safe:{{cite web|url=http://www.slate.com/blogs/blogs/weigel/archive/2011/03/15/three-wisconsin-senate-republicans-trail-in-recall.aspx|title=Weigel: Three Wisconsin Senate Republicans Trail in Recall|work=Slate|date=March 15, 2011|access-date=2011-03-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110316185130/http://www.slate.com/blogs/blogs/weigel/archive/2011/03/15/three-wisconsin-senate-republicans-trail-in-recall.aspx|archive-date=March 16, 2011|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|last=Rohde|first=Marie|url=http://menomoneefalls.patch.com/articles/poll-darling-would-win-a-recall-election-three-republicans-vunlerable|title=Poll: Darling Would Win a Recall Election; Three Republicans Vulnerable – Menomonee Falls, WI Patch|publisher=Menomoneefalls.patch.com|date=March 15, 2011|access-date=2011-03-21|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604023749/http://menomoneefalls.patch.com/articles/poll-darling-would-win-a-recall-election-three-republicans-vunlerable|archive-date=June 4, 2011|df=mdy-all}}{{cite web|url=http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/03/15/956357/-Wisconsin-recall:-3-GOP-state-senators-trail-Generic-Dem,-more-at-risk |title=Wisconsin recall: 3 GOP state senators trail Generic Dem, more at risk |publisher=Daily Kos |date=March 15, 2011 |access-date=2011-03-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110430184650/http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/03/15/956357/-Wisconsin-recall%3A-3-GOP-state-senators-trail-Generic-Dem%2C-more-at-risk |archive-date=April 30, 2011 |url-status=live |df=mdy}}

• Senator Glenn Grothman leads 60%–32%.
• Senator Mary Lazich leads 56%–34%
• Senator Alberta Darling leads 52%–44%
• Senator Sheila Harsdorf leads 48%–44%
• Senator Robert Cowles leads 45%–43%
• Senator Luther Olsen trails 47%–49%
• Senator Randy Hopper trails 44%–49%
• Senator Dan Kapanke trails 41%–55%

Wisconsin Public Radio released several polls April 22 related to the Wisconsin protests:{{cite web|url=http://www.postcrescent.com/article/20110423/APC0101/104230526/Poll-Wisconsin-Governor-Scott-Walker-effort-really-about-hurting-unions?odyssey=tab|title=Poll: Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker effort really about hurting unions|publisher=Postcrescent.com|date=April 23, 2011|access-date=2013-04-24|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120912100042/http://www.postcrescent.com/article/20110423/APC0101/104230526/Poll-Wisconsin-Governor-Scott-Walker-effort-really-about-hurting-unions?odyssey=tab|archive-date=September 12, 2012|df=mdy-all}}

• 57% said they believed the proposed legislation was more about decreasing the power of public sector unions, 31% said it was about decreasing the budget deficit, with 12% saying they weren't sure.
• 61% said public employees should have the right to collectively bargain for wages, while 35% were opposed.
• 54% said public employees should have the right to collectively bargain for health and retirement benefits, while 42% were opposed.
• 70% said they had a favorable opinion of public school teachers in Wisconsin and 24% with an unfavorable view.
• 59% said they disapproved of Democratic efforts compared to 33% who approved.
• 49% said they disapproved of Republican efforts compared to 39% who approved.
• 46% said they had a favorable impression of state Democratic lawmakers, while 48% had an unfavorable opinion.
• 45% said they had a favorable impression of state Republican lawmakers, while 46% had an unfavorable opinion.
• 53% said the Republicans up for recall should be kept in office compared to 35% in favor of recalling them.
• 57% said the Democrats up for recall should be kept in office compared to 33% in favor of recalling them.

The conservative think tank Manhattan Institute for Policy Research released a poll on September 20. They interviewed 400 registered Wisconsin voters between August 29 and September 5. The margin of error was +/− 4.9% points.{{cite web |author=Patrick Marley |url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/130173963.html |title=New poll reflects divide on bargaining limits |publisher=JSOnline |date=September 20, 2011 |access-date=2011-10-28 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304042713/http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/130173963.html |url-status=live }}

• 49% approved of Governor Walker's job performance, while 50% disapproved.
• 44% favored recalling the Governor, while 50% did not.
• 53% said they favored restricting collective bargaining rights for public sector employees, while 45% opposed.
• 52% opposed the collective bargaining law passed in Wisconsin, while 45% supported the new law.
• 43% said they favored repealing the law completely, 34% wanted to keep the law as is, and 18% wanted the law to be amended in some way.
• 43% believed the new law was helping Wisconsin's financial problems, while 41% believed it was not.
• 55% believed the new law helped eliminate Wisconsin's $3 billion budget deficit, while 41% believed it did not.

On October 26, the Liberal Public Policy Polling organization released a poll focusing on Scott Walker's possible recall.{{cite web |url=http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/main/2011/10/wisconsin-recall-prospects-dimming.html |title=Wisconsin Recall Prospects Dimming |publisher=Public Policy Polling |access-date=2011-10-28 |archive-date=October 29, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111029051034/http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/main/2011/10/wisconsin-recall-prospects-dimming.html |url-status=live }} It revealed the following;

• 51% of Wisconsinites disapproved of Governor Walker, while 47% approved.
• 48% supported recalling the Governor, while 49% opposed.
• In a hypothetical recall election, Scott Walker would beat Peter Barca, Tom Barrett, Jon Erpenbach, Kathleen Falk, Steve Kagen, Ron Kind, and David Obey by various margins.
• In a hypothetical recall election, Scott Walker would lose to Russ Feingold by a 46–49 margin. (Russ Feingold has stated previously he probably won't run)

On January 25, 2012, Marquette University Law School released the results of a statewide poll focusing on Governor Walker and his possible recall.{{cite news |url=http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/289264/new-poll-delivers-scott-walker-good-news-christian-schneider |title=New Poll Delivers Scott Walker Good News |access-date=2013-04-24 |archive-date=January 25, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120125202018/http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/289264/new-poll-delivers-scott-walker-good-news-christian-schneider |url-status=live }}

• 51% approved of the way Scott Walker was handling his job as governor, while 46% opposed.
• 74% of respondents support requiring public employees to pay into their own pension accounts and pay a greater share of their health-insurance premiums.
• 48% of respondents support Walker's plan to limit collective bargaining on benefit and non-wage issues, while 47% did not support Walker's plan.
• In a hypothetical recall election, Scott Walker would beat Milwaukee mayor Tom Barrett 50% to 44%.
• In a hypothetical recall election, Scott Walker would beat former Dane County executive Kathleen Falk 49% to 42%.
• In a hypothetical recall election, Scott Walker would beat former Congressman David Obey 49% to 43%.
• In a hypothetical recall election, Scott Walker would beat Wisconsin State Senator Tim Cullen 50% to 40%.

On February 17, the Madison Metropolitan School District canceled classes until February 23 because of expected staff and student absences.{{cite news|url=http://articles.cnn.com/2011-02-17/us/wisconsin.budget_1_budget-plans-state-democrats-legislation?_s=PM:US|title=State Democrats absent for vote as Wisconsin budget protests swell|publisher=CNN|date=February 17, 2011|access-date=February 21, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110313070552/http://articles.cnn.com/2011-02-17/us/wisconsin.budget_1_budget-plans-state-democrats-legislation?_s=PM:US|archive-date=March 13, 2011|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}} Numerous other districts across the state also closed due to the protests including Milwaukee,{{cite web|url=http://www.fox6now.com/news/witi-02182011-mps-closed-friday-story,0,4838415.story|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110617190705/http://www.fox6now.com/news/witi-02182011-mps-closed-friday-story%2C0%2C4838415.story|url-status=dead|title=Milwaukee Public Schools closed for Friday due to high number of absentee calls from teachers|archive-date=June 17, 2011}} La Crosse,{{cite web|url=http://lacrossetribune.com/news/local/article_5476e756-3a58-11e0-89e7-001cc4c002e0.html|title=La Crosse, area schools closed today|author=|date=February 17, 2011|access-date=October 4, 2017|archive-date=October 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171004190254/http://lacrossetribune.com/news/local/article_5476e756-3a58-11e0-89e7-001cc4c002e0.html|url-status=live}} Wausau,{{cite web|url=http://www.waow.com/story/14051925/wausau-school-district-closed-friday-amid?redirected=true|title=Wausau School District closed Friday, protests continue|access-date=October 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171004190136/http://www.waow.com/story/14051925/wausau-school-district-closed-friday-amid?redirected=true|archive-date=October 4, 2017|url-status=dead}} and others.{{cite web|author=Bill Novak|work=The Capital Times|url=http://host.madison.com/ct/news/local/govt_and_politics/article_98789592-3a91-11e0-916d-001cc4c03286.html|title=Fog and protests closing or delaying dozens of schools|date=February 17, 2011|access-date=2011-02-28|archive-date=February 20, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110220055610/http://host.madison.com/ct/news/local/govt_and_politics/article_98789592-3a91-11e0-916d-001cc4c03286.html|url-status=live}} Two days after the protests began, protests spread to Columbus, Ohio over similar legislation. Similar protests also occurred at the Nevada State Capitol in Carson City on February 21, 2011, and at the Utah State Capitol in Salt Lake City on February 26, 2011.

The Wisconsin Legislature stated they would continue passing non-budget items with no Democratic opposition in the Senate starting on February 22. On Thursday, March 3, Wisconsin Administration Secretary Mike Huebsch claimed that the weeks of demonstrations resulted in $6.5 million in damages and other costs to the Capital. The next day he admitted that he had no basis for the higher figure and that the actual cleanup costs could be as low as $347,500.{{cite web|author=Dan Simmons |url=http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_87fdc162-46ce-11e0-bb6e-001cc4c03286.html |title=Cleanup costs |publisher=Host.madison.com |date=March 5, 2011 |access-date=2011-03-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110307084627/http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_87fdc162-46ce-11e0-bb6e-001cc4c03286.html |archive-date=March 7, 2011 |url-status=live |df=mdy}} State architect Jeffrey Plale, a former Democratic state senator who was appointed to his post by Walker,{{cite web|author=Mary Spicuzza|url=http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_a57eb178-23f2-11e0-abda-001cc4c03286.html|title=Former Democratic senator Jeff Plale lands job in Walker administration|publisher=Host.madison.com|date=January 19, 2011|access-date=2011-03-12|archive-date=May 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240518143823/https://madison.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_a57eb178-23f2-11e0-abda-001cc4c03286.html|url-status=live}} stated that he had not observed any damages from demonstrations.{{cite web|url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/117409458.html |title=State officials back off Capitol damage claim |publisher=JSOnline |date=March 4, 2011 |access-date=2011-03-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110412001506/http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/117409458.html |archive-date=April 12, 2011 |url-status=live |df=mdy}}

On March 21, Professor William Cronon of the University of Wisconsin wrote an op-ed opposing the bill.{{cite news|author=William Cronon|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/22/opinion/22cronon.html?_r=2|title=Wisconsin's Radical Break|newspaper=New York Times|date=March 21, 2011|access-date=2011-04-03|archive-date=November 13, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113115600/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/22/opinion/22cronon.html?_r=2|url-status=live}} In response, the Wisconsin Republican Party filed a state open records request for access to Cronon's university emails to discover the sources and discussions that went into the article.{{cite web|author=Josh Marshall |url=http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2011/03/my_worlds_collide.php |title=My Worlds Collide |publisher=talkingpointsmemo.com |date=March 24, 2011 |access-date=2011-04-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110331061507/http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2011/03/my_worlds_collide.php |archive-date=March 31, 2011 |url-status=live |df=mdy}} The Republican Party's request was criticized for purportedly creating a chilling effect.{{cite web|author=David Weigel|url=http://www.slate.com/blogs/blogs/weigel/archive/2011/03/25/wisconsin-gop-blasts-concerted-effort-to-intimidate-over-request-for-professor-s-e-mails.aspx|title=Wisconsin GOP Blasts "Concerted Effort to Intimidate" Over Request for Professor's E-mails|work=Slate|date=March 25, 2011|access-date=2011-04-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110427102533/http://www.slate.com/blogs/blogs/weigel/archive/2011/03/25/wisconsin-gop-blasts-concerted-effort-to-intimidate-over-request-for-professor-s-e-mails.aspx|archive-date=April 27, 2011|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|author=Paul Krugman|url=https://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/03/25/academic-intimidation|title=Academic Intimidation|newspaper=New York Times|date=March 25, 2011|access-date=2011-04-03|archive-date=February 1, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160201180422/http://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/03/25/academic-intimidation/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|author=David Weigel|url=http://www.slate.com/BLOGS/blogs/weigel/archive/2011/03/25/wisconsin-home-of-political-threats-and-false-flag-operations.aspx|title=Wisconsin GOP Wants E-Mails Sent by Professor Who Wrote Critical Blog Post|work=Slate|date=March 25, 2011|access-date=2011-04-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110427102845/http://www.slate.com/blogs/blogs/weigel/archive/2011/03/25/wisconsin-home-of-political-threats-and-false-flag-operations.aspx|archive-date=April 27, 2011|url-status=dead}}{{cite magazine|author=James Fallows|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2011/03/have-you-no-sense-of-decency-the-wm-cronon-story/73010|title='Have You No Sense of Decency?', The Wm. Cronon Story|magazine=The Atlantic|date=March 25, 2011|access-date=2011-04-03|archive-date=June 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160603084657/http://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2011/03/have-you-no-sense-of-decency-the-wm-cronon-story/73010/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.news.wisc.edu/19163 |title=Chancellor Martin's statement on open records, academic freedom (March 25, 2011) |publisher=News.wisc.edu |date=March 25, 2011 |access-date=2011-04-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110401232021/http://www.news.wisc.edu/19163 |archive-date=April 1, 2011 |url-status=live |df=mdy}} In response, the Republican Party released a statement accusing Cronon of intimidation.{{cite news|last=Sargent|first=Greg|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/post/wisconsin-gop-youre-damn-right-we-requested-walker-critics-emails/2011/03/03/AFytRNWB_blog.html|title=Wisconsin GOP: You're damn right we requested Walker critic's emails|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=March 25, 2011|access-date=2011-04-03}}

In another form of protest, and as a tactic to prevent passage of the bill, all 14 Democratic members of the Wisconsin State Senate left the state of Wisconsin and traveled to Illinois in order to delay a vote on the bill.{{cite web|url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/116581183.html|title=In Illinois, Wisconsin Senate Democrats vow unity|publisher=JSOnline|date=February 20, 2011|access-date=2011-02-28|archive-date=February 24, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110224032414/http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/116581183.html|url-status=live}} With only 19 Republican members, the Senate would not have the 20 Senators required for a quorum in order to vote on the bill, since it is a fiscal bill.[https://www.reuters.com/article/usa-wisconsin-protests-idUSN2018696320110220 "Wisconsin gov. sees Democrats returning to debate plan"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210812111620/https://www.reuters.com/article/usa-wisconsin-protests-idUSN2018696320110220 |date=August 12, 2021 }}, February 20, 2011, Reuters On February 20, all 14 Senate Democrats announced they were staying in Illinois indefinitely.{{cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/20/wisconsin-democratic-senators-illinois_n_825748.html |title=Wisconsin Democratic Senators: We're Staying In Illinois Until Gov. Walker Agrees To Negotiate |work=The Huffington Post |access-date=2011-02-28 |first=Amanda |last=Terkel |date=February 20, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110221180256/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/20/wisconsin-democratic-senators-illinois_n_825748.html |archive-date=February 21, 2011 |url-status=live |df=mdy}}

In a possible lure to get the 14 Democratic Senators to return, the Wisconsin legislature reported they would try to pass a bill that would require citizens to have some form of voter identification to vote. Democrats strongly opposed the bill, but because there were no Democratic senators to defend their position, the bill was expected to pass the Senate easily.{{cite news|url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/wisconsin-republicans-try-to-lure-back-dems-by-moving-controversial-voter-id-bill/|title=Wisconsin Republicans Try to Lure Back Dems by Moving Controversial Voter ID Bill|publisher=Fox News|date=April 7, 2010|access-date=2011-02-28|archive-date=February 24, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110224040739/http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/02/22/wisconsin-republicans-try-lure-dems-scheduling-controversial-vote/|url-status=live}} On February 24, the Republicans in the Senate moved the voter ID provision past the amendable stage but were unable to take a final vote on it because it spends money for free ID's to comply with federal constitutional requirements.{{cite web|url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/116840898.html |title=Senate gives preliminary approval to photo ID bill |publisher=JSOnline |date=February 24, 2011 |access-date=2011-02-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110228104821/http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/116840898.html |archive-date=February 28, 2011 |url-status=live |df=mdy }} As a fiscal provision, the voter ID bill would require the same quorum currently denied over the main budget bill.{{cite news|url=http://badgerherald.com/news/2011/02/24/senate_puts_voter_id.php|title=Senate puts voter ID bill beyond amendable stage|newspaper=The Badger Herald|access-date=2011-03-04|archive-date=July 7, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707204222/http://badgerherald.com/news/2011/02/24/senate_puts_voter_id.php|url-status=dead}} The State Senate Majority Leader, Scott Fitzgerald, proposed that Democratic staffers should lose access to the copy machines if their representatives were absent without leave for two days or more, forcing staffers to pay for printing themselves.{{cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/28/wisconsin-gop-leader-democratic-staffers-copy-machines_n_829259.html |title=Wisconsin GOP Leader Targets Democratic Senate Staffers' Access to Copy Machines |work=The Huffington Post |date=February 28, 2011 |access-date=2011-03-02 |first=Amanda |last=Terkel |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110301170706/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/28/wisconsin-gop-leader-democratic-staffers-copy-machines_n_829259.html |archive-date=March 1, 2011 |url-status=live |df=mdy}} Senators would no longer receive their wages via direct deposit if they were AWOL for two days or more and would have to collect them in person. (Senator Jon Erpenbach was able to circumvent this by granting his staffers power of attorney.){{cite web|url=http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110222/GPG0101/110222132/Missing-Wisconsin-state-senators-lose-direct-deposit-paychecks|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130126070301/http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110222/GPG0101/110222132/Missing-Wisconsin-state-senators-lose-direct-deposit-paychecks|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 26, 2013|title=Missing Wisconsin state senators lose direct-deposit paychecks|work=Green Bay Press Gazette|date=February 22, 2011|access-date=2011-03-02}} On March 2, Senate Republicans voted to fine members who are AWOL for two days or more $100 per day of absence.{{cite web|url=http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/03/wis-senate-gopers-vote-to-fine-fugitive-dems-100-per-day.php|title=Wis. Senate GOPers Vote To Fine Fugitive Dems $100 Per Day|publisher=Talking Points Memo|date=March 2, 2011|access-date=2011-03-02|archive-date=March 4, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110304225949/http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/03/wis-senate-gopers-vote-to-fine-fugitive-dems-100-per-day.php|url-status=live}} On March 3, the Wisconsin Senate Republicans ordered the arrest of the Wisconsin 14 for being "in contempt and disorderly behavior", authorizing the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms to seek help from law enforcement officers and to use force to return the senators to the Capitol.{{cite web|author1=Spicuzza, Mary|author2=Hall, Dee J.|work=Wisconsin State Journal|url=http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_8d9ad090-45bd-11e0-bf68-001cc4c03286.html|title=Senate orders arrest of missing Democrats|date=March 4, 2011|access-date=2011-03-04|archive-date=March 4, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110304170102/http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_8d9ad090-45bd-11e0-bf68-001cc4c03286.html|url-status=live}} Jim Palmer, the head of the Wisconsin Professional Police Association, described the action as a violation of the Wisconsin state constitution.{{cite news|url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/plum-line/2011/03/is_wisconsin_gops_proposal_to.html|author=Greg Sargent|title=Police union chief says Wisconsin GOP's proposal to detain missing Dems may be unconstitutional|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=March 3, 2001|access-date=2011-03-04|archive-date=July 8, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708220448/http://voices.washingtonpost.com/plum-line/2011/03/is_wisconsin_gops_proposal_to.html|url-status=dead}}

Walker also tried other methods to get the Wisconsin 14 to return to the state, saying that if the bill was not passed by February 25, 1,500 state workers would be laid off.{{cite news|url=http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_d1d6af68-4158-11e0-8217-001cc4c002e0.html|title=Deadline looms for debt restructuring plan|newspaper=Wisconsin State Journal|date=February 25, 2011|access-date=2011-03-02|archive-date=March 1, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110301093555/http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_d1d6af68-4158-11e0-8217-001cc4c002e0.html|url-status=live}} That deadline passed without incident. On February 27, he announced a new deadline of March 1.{{cite web|url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/117023198.html|title=Budget stalemate as strong as ever|publisher=JSOnline|date=February 27, 2011|access-date=2011-03-02|archive-date=March 3, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110303070428/http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/117023198.html|url-status=live}} On March 4, Walker issued layoff warning notices to some state employees,{{cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/04/scott-walker-issues-layoff-warning-notices_n_831724.html|title=Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker Issues Layoff Warning Notices|work=Huffington Post|date=March 4, 2011|access-date=2011-05-10|first=Adam|last=Goldberg|archive-date=February 8, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170208063759/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/04/scott-walker-issues-layoff-warning-notices_n_831724.html|url-status=live}} and rescinded those notices upon passage of the budget repair bill.{{cite web|url=http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/117794798.html|title=Walker rescinds layoff notices|website=www.jsonline.com|access-date=October 4, 2017|archive-date=March 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303225758/http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/117794798.html|url-status=live}} In an attempt to compromise with the Democrats who left the state, Walker proposed allowing public workers to continue bargaining over their salaries with no limit as well as allowing collective bargaining to stay in place on mandatory overtime, performance bonuses, hazardous duty pay and classroom size for teachers.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/wisconsin-governor-proposes-union-compromise-in-e-mails/|title=Wisconsin Governor Proposes Union Compromise in E-Mails|website=Fox News|date=March 8, 2011|access-date=October 4, 2017|archive-date=September 24, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924135857/http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/03/08/wisconsin-governor-proposes-union-compromise-e-mails/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/03/09/AR2011030903489.html|title=Wisconsin protests: Gov. Scott Walker, Senate Democrats continue standoff in the shadow of new poll|newspaper=Washington Post|date=March 9, 2011|access-date=2011-05-10|first=Ian|last=Saleh|archive-date=October 5, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171005000532/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/03/09/AR2011030903489.html|url-status=live}}

On March 9, the senate removed fiscal applications from the bill, allowing it to be passed without a quorum. On March 12, the "14" returned to Wisconsin, to loud acclaim from protesters and condemnation from the Senate Majority Leader, Scott Fitzgerald.{{cite web|url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/117862214.html|title=www.jsonline.com|publisher=www.jsonline.com|access-date=2011-03-13|archive-date=March 15, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110315031725/http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/117862214.html|url-status=live}} On March 15 Fitzgerald announced that despite returning, none of the Senate Democrats would be allowed to cast official votes on the union legislation.{{cite news|agency=Associated Press|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chibrknews-wis-gop-says-dem-votes-dont-count-20110315,0,5572491.story?track=rss|title=Wisconsin GOP leader says Dem votes don't count|work=Chicago Tribune|date=March 15, 2011|access-date=2011-03-21|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110318090029/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chibrknews-wis-gop-says-dem-votes-dont-count-20110315,0,5572491.story|archive-date=2011-03-18}}

During the numerous delays related to enactment of the budget repair law,{{cite news|url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/116581183.html|title=In Illinois, Wisconsin Senate Democrats vow unity|publisher=JSOnline|date=February 20, 2011|access-date=2011-04-20|archive-date=February 24, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110224032414/http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/116581183.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|author=Ed Treleven|url=http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_9b967cde-5176-11e0-b8df-001cc4c002e0.html|title=Judge orders temporary halt to collective bargaining law; state will appeal|date=March 18, 2011|publisher=Host.madison.com|access-date=2011-03-21|archive-date=March 20, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110320023049/http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_9b967cde-5176-11e0-b8df-001cc4c002e0.html|url-status=live}} several communities were pursuing to extend union contracts although there have been cases of communities electing to wait for the budget repair bill to take effect.{{cite news|title=No extension for Howards Grove teacher contract|last=Benson|first=Dan|newspaper=The Sheboygan Press|location=Sheboygan, Wisconsin, US|date=2011-03-08|page=1|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sheboygan-press/172406340/|via=newspapers.com|access-date=2025-05-14}} In some cases residents staged protests at open meetings in opposition to extending union contracts. Regarding school districts deciding whether or not to extend union contracts, whether they decided to wait for the law to take effect or not, most districts elected to include the same basic concessions on health care and pensions.{{cite web|url=http://www.fox6now.com/news/investigators/witi-20110713-inv-school-deals,0,7065478.story|title=FOX6 Investigators: Budget repair law leaves most school districts in good financial shape|publisher=WITI|date=July 14, 2011|access-date=2011-10-28|archive-date=July 15, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715075603/http://www.fox6now.com/news/investigators/witi-20110713-inv-school-deals,0,7065478.story|url-status=dead}}

The Milwaukee Teachers Education Association said "no deal" to a proposal that would have them make concessions similar to those called for under the budget repair law. The union said that it has already made all the concessions that it will make. The proposed Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) budget would cut 989 full-time positions through attrition and layoffs.{{cite web|url=http://www.fox6now.com/news/witi-20110608-mps-budget,0,261935.story|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110703063436/http://www.fox6now.com/news/witi-20110608-mps-budget%2C0%2C261935.story|url-status=dead|title=Milwaukee teachers union says no deal to school board's demand for additional concessions|publisher=WITI|archive-date=July 3, 2011}} On June 29, the same day the budget repair law became effective, MPS Superintendent Gregory Thornton announced that 519 layoff notices would be issued for next school year, including 354 teachers.{{cite web|url=http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/124734058.html?page=1|title=MPS to lay off 354 teachers|website=www.jsonline.com|access-date=October 4, 2017|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304032524/http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/124734058.html?page=1|url-status=live}} Most members pay about $1,000 per year in dues.{{cite web|url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/education/127806733.html|title=WEAC issues layoff notices for 40% of staff|website=www.jsonline.com|access-date=October 4, 2017|archive-date=October 15, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015144912/http://www.jsonline.com/news/education/127806733.html|url-status=live}}

Teachers in the Hartland-Lakeside School District agreed to switch health insurance providers to save the district $690,000, but the executive committee of a union that represents the teachers blocked the change.{{cite web|url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/waukesha/122529354.html|title=After Hartland teachers agree, union blocks insurance switch|website=www.jsonline.com|access-date=October 4, 2017|archive-date=March 24, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160324011349/http://www.jsonline.com/news/waukesha/122529354.html|url-status=live}}

In Milwaukee County, when it was known that the budget repair law was to take effect on June 29, the county board approved a union contract on June 23 for nurses, which would preserve their say on working conditions as well as union grievance procedures. Meanwhile, negotiations were under way on a new contract for the county's largest union in an effort to beat the state law, although it appeared likely they had run out of time to do so.{{cite web|url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/124601179.html|title=Clock ticking on contract for county's largest union|access-date=October 4, 2017|archive-date=March 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303225849/http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/124601179.html|url-status=live}} The Appleton teachers union made a similar last minute contract extension before the deadline.{{cite web|url=http://www.620wtmj.com/news/local/124644049.html|title=Appleton teachers approve contract extension, retain collective bargaining|access-date=October 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150502073028/http://www.620wtmj.com/news/local/124644049.html|archive-date=May 2, 2015|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}

Recruitment for the union took place for school districts that elected to wait before extending union contracts. Union membership was steady in districts that signed or extended contract agreements with unions before the budget repair legislation passed because dues are taken out automatically.

On May 3, special elections were held for 3 vacant seats in the Wisconsin State Assembly. The 3 seats were formally held by Republicans that were appointed to higher positions by Governor Walker.{{cite news|first=Don|last=Behm|title=GOP wins 2 of 3 Assembly elections|url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/121227554.html|newspaper=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|date=May 3, 2011|access-date=2011-07-01|archive-date=July 10, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110710095448/http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/121227554.html|url-status=live}}

• District 60 – former representative Mark Gottlieb's seat until he was appointed Secretary of Transportation. The district covers parts of Ozaukee and Washington County. Republican Duey Stroebel ran against Democrat Rick Aaron.
• District 83 – former representative Scott Gunderson's seat until he was appointed to a top post at the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. The district includes parts of Racine County, Walworth County, and Waukesha County. Republican Dave Craig, an aide to US representative Paul Ryan, ran against Democrat James Brownlow, a retired librarian.
• District 94 – former representative Mike Huebsch's seat until he was appointed to Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Administration. The district covers parts of rural La Crosse County and parts of Monroe County. Republican John Lautz, a self-employed building contractor, ran against Democrat Steve Doyle, who is a La Crosse County Board chairman.

Results

• District 60 – Republican Duey Stroebel won with 76% of the vote.
• District 83 – Republican Dave Craig won with 74% of the vote.
• District 94 – Democrat Steve Doyle won with 54% of the vote.
• New Assembly Membership: 59 Republicans, 38 Democrats, 1 Independent, 1 Vacant

{{ElectionsWI}}

According to the advocacy group Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, the recall elections from 2011 and 2012 generated spending between $125 million and $130 million. Approximately $44 million was spent on the 2011 senatorial recall elections, and over $80 million was spent on the gubernatorial and senatorial campaigns in 2012. This compares to the $37.4 million spent on the 2010 Wisconsin gubernatorial campaign. Over $20 million of taxpayer funds were spent on the fifteen recall elections, costs incurred by the state elections board due to petition verification, and oversight of the elections. The primary and general election for the statewide recalls in 2012 cost taxpayers about $18 million, while the 2011 senate recalls cost taxpayers $2.1 million.{{cite web|url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/spending-on-state-recalls-exceeds-125-million-group-says-hb5mriv-157906265.html|title=Spending on state recalls exceeds $125 million, group says|access-date=October 4, 2017|archive-date=July 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160704171246/http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/spending-on-state-recalls-exceeds-125-million-group-says-hb5mriv-157906265.html|url-status=live}}

{{main|Wisconsin Senate recall elections, 2011}}

There were efforts to recall eight Democrats and eight Republicans related to the budget repair bill.{{cite news|author=Liz Halloran|url=https://www.npr.org/2011/03/08/134340952/recall-efforts-in-wisconsin-face-tough-odds|title=Recall Efforts in Wisconsin Face Tough Odds|publisher=National Public Radio|date=March 8, 2011|access-date=2011-05-23|archive-date=November 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116062935/https://www.npr.org/2011/03/08/134340952/recall-efforts-in-wisconsin-face-tough-odds|url-status=live}} The Democrats were targeted for leaving the state for three weeks to prevent the budget repair bill vote from taking place while the Republicans were targeted for voting to seriously limit public employee collective bargaining.{{cite web|author=Tom Tolan|url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/120746474.html|title=At least 9 Wisconsin state senators face recall|publisher=National Public Radio|date=April 26, 2011|access-date=2011-05-23|archive-date=May 31, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531122237/http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/120746474.html|url-status=live}} Scholars could cite only three times in U.S. history when more than one state legislator was subject to a recall election at roughly the same time over the same issue.{{cite web|author=Craig Gilbert|url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/117501513.html|title=Recall drives could make history|publisher=JSOnline.com|access-date=2011-03-08|archive-date=March 10, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110310151601/http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/117501513.html|url-status=live}}

Six Republicans and three Democrats faced recall elections in August 2011.{{cite web|url=http://wispolitics.com/index.iml?Article=235419|title=State Senate recall round-up|publisher=WisPolitics|access-date=2011-05-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511000527/http://www.wispolitics.com/index.iml?Article=235419|archive-date=May 11, 2011|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}} Efforts to recall Glenn Grothman (R-20th District), Mary Lazich (R-28th District), Lena Taylor (D-4th District), Spencer Coggs (D-6th District), Fred Risser (D-Madison), Julie Lassa (D-Stevens Point) and Mark Miller (D-Monona) were unsuccessful.{{cite web|agency=Associated Press|url=http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/news/local/chibrknews-recall-effort-falls-short-for-wis-gop-senator-20110502,0,3744057.story?track=rss|title=Recall effort falls short for Wis. GOP senator|publisher=Chicagobreakingnews.com|date=May 2, 2011|access-date=2011-05-10|archive-date=May 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240518143825/https://www.chicagotribune.com/1999/06/28/breaking-100/?track=rss|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/121099213.html?page=1|title=Looks like Lazich won't be recalled, either|publisher=Jsonline.com|date=May 2, 2011|access-date=2011-05-10|archive-date=May 4, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110504122056/http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/121099213.html?page=1|url-status=live}}{{cite web|author=DOUG ERICKSON|url=http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_b5580cce-71c3-11e0-8be2-001cc4c002e0.html?mode=story|title=Merged signatures plan dropped, so recall effort against Sen. Miller ends|publisher=Host.madison.com|date=April 29, 2011|access-date=2011-05-10|archive-date=May 5, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110505025818/http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_b5580cce-71c3-11e0-8be2-001cc4c002e0.html?mode=story|url-status=live}}

The Wisconsin Government Accountability Board voted in favor of all recall elections, but scheduled the Democratic recall elections one week after (August 16, 2011) the Republican recall elections.{{cite web |author1=Tom Tolan |author2=Patrick Marley |author3=Jason Stein |url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/123516934.html |title=Recall elections set for 3 Democratic senators |publisher=JSOnline |date=June 8, 2011 |access-date=2011-10-28 |archive-date=June 11, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110611062118/http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/123516934.html |url-status=live }}

On August 9, the Republicans won enough seats to keep control of the Wisconsin Senate, despite losing Randy Hopper's and Dan Kapanke's seats, bringing the largest group of simultaneous recall elections in United States history to a close.{{cite web|url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/127435173.html|title=Republicans take 4 of 6 in recall elections, hold Senate|website=www.jsonline.com|access-date=October 4, 2017|archive-date=April 13, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413064723/http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/127435173.html|url-status=live}} The results were regarded as a disappointment for Democrats and labor unions.{{cite web|title=Democrats fall short in Wisconsin recall elections|publisher=NBC News|date=August 10, 2011|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna44075969|access-date=2011-08-12|archive-date=May 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240518150855/https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna44075969|url-status=live}}

• {{cite news|last=Paarlberg|first=Michael|title=Wisconsin recall elections: 'labor' in vain|work=The Guardian|date=August 10, 2011|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/cifamerica/2011/aug/10/wisconsin-recall-elections-labor-vain|access-date=2011-08-12|location=London|archive-date=May 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240518150833/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/cifamerica/2011/aug/10/wisconsin-recall-elections-labor-vain|url-status=live}}
• {{cite news|last=Ungar|first=Rick|date=August 11, 2011|title=Wisconsin Voters To Unions: 'We're Just Not That Into You'|work=Forbes|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/rickungar/2011/08/10/wisconsin-voters-to-unions-were-just-not-that-into-you/|access-date=2011-08-12|archive-date=December 13, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181213051659/https://www.forbes.com/sites/rickungar/2011/08/10/wisconsin-voters-to-unions-were-just-not-that-into-you/|url-status=live}}
• {{cite web|last=Dalmia|first=Shikha|date=August 11, 2011|title=Hope Dies for Unions as Wisconsin Voters Reject Change|work=Reason|url=http://reason.com/blog/2011/08/11/hope-dies-fo-unions-as-wiscons|access-date=2011-08-12|archive-date=September 16, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110916233245/http://reason.com/blog/2011/08/11/hope-dies-fo-unions-as-wiscons|url-status=live}}

;Republican senators

{{refbegin}}

1. {{note|1}} Canvassing after the election revealed Nancy Nusbaum was credited with zero votes from Kaukauna due to human error. This decreased Cowles lead from 60% to 57%, but did not change the outcome of the election.{{cite news|first=Tom|last=Tolan|title=Cowles' vote total adjusted down, but he still wins|url=http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/127583908.html|newspaper=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|date=August 12, 2011|access-date=2011-08-31|archive-date=September 10, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110910195306/http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/127583908.html|url-status=live}}

{{refend}}

;Democratic senators

{{refbegin}}

1. {{note|1}} On June 27, John Nygren was taken off the ballot in the Dave Hansen recall election because he did not collect 400 valid signatures.{{cite news|first=Jason|last=Stein|title=Rep. Nygren knocked off ballot in Sen. Hansen recall election|url=http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/124611729.html?page=1|newspaper=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|date=June 27, 2011|access-date=2011-08-31|archive-date=June 29, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629212305/http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/124611729.html?page=1|url-status=live}}

The recall election between VanderLeest and Hansen occurred on July 19. Hansen easily won re-election.{{cite news|title=Wisconsin – County Vote Results|url=http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/files/elections/2011/by_county/WI_Page_0719.html?SITE=AP&SECTION=POLITICS|agency=Associated Press|date=July 20, 2011|access-date=2011-08-31|archive-date=October 22, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022141803/http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/files/elections/2011/by_county/WI_Page_0719.html?SITE=AP&SECTION=POLITICS|url-status=live}}

{{refend}}

;Governor Walker

{{main|2012 Wisconsin gubernatorial recall election}}

On November 15, the recall petitions against Scott Walker and Rebecca Kleefisch began to circulate. Supporters of the recall had to collect 540,206 valid signatures by January 14.{{cite web|url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/organizers-start-the-clock-on-recall-of-walker-3-gop-senators-ds32e1b-133880393.html|title=March on Walker home caps day of recall activities|access-date=October 4, 2017|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304003354/http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/organizers-start-the-clock-on-recall-of-walker-3-gop-senators-ds32e1b-133880393.html|url-status=live}}

On January 17, over 1 million signatures to recall Governor Walker were submitted to the state GAB on over 100,000 recall petitions.{{cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/organizers-submit-signatures-to-recall-wisconsin-gov-scott-walker/|publisher=CBS News|title=Organizers submit signatures to recall Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker|access-date=April 16, 2020|archive-date=November 1, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131101040836/http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-57360540-503544/organizers-submit-signatures-to-recall-wisconsin-gov-scott-walker/|url-status=live}} On March 30, 2012, the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board certified recall elections for Scott Walker and Rebecca Kleefisch.{{cite web |url=http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/elections/recall-elections-ordered-for-walker-kleefisch-gop-senators/article_97b6f274-7a74-11e1-bd58-001a4bcf887a.html |title=Recall elections ordered for Walker, Kleefisch, 4 GOP senators |author=Mary Spicuzza |work=Wisconsin State Journal |date=March 31, 2012 |access-date=October 4, 2017 |archive-date=August 18, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170818010115/http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/elections/recall-elections-ordered-for-walker-kleefisch-gop-senators/article_97b6f274-7a74-11e1-bd58-001a4bcf887a.html |url-status=live }}

;Democratic Primary

Tom Barrett won the Democratic primary on May 8, and went up against Walker on June 5.{{cite web|url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/democrats-wrapping-up-primary-with-eye-toward-june-5-i85ag1d-150687815.html|title=Barrett wins Democratic primary, to face Walker in June|website=www.jsonline.com|access-date=October 4, 2017|archive-date=April 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160405040412/http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/democrats-wrapping-up-primary-with-eye-toward-june-5-i85ag1d-150687815.html|url-status=live}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Democratic primary results{{cite web|url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/149767225.html|title=May 8 recall primary election results|website=www.jsonline.com|access-date=October 4, 2017|archive-date=July 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160704165037/http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/149767225.html|url-status=live}}

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Tom Barrett

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 390,109

| percentage = 58.2

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Kathleen Falk

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 228,940

| percentage = 34.2

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Kathleen Vinehout

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 26,926

| percentage = 4.0

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Douglas La Follette

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 19,461

| percentage = 2.9

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Gladys Huber

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 4,842

| percentage = 0.7

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 670,278

| percentage= 100.0

}}

{{Election box end}}

;Republican Primary

Walker received over 625,000 votes, the most votes for a candidate in a Wisconsin gubernatorial primary since 1952.[http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/150800465.html#!page=4&pageSize=10&sort=newestfirst Scott Walker's vote total highest in a primary for governor in 60 years] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120510024447/http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/150800465.html#!page=4&pageSize=10&sort=newestfirst |date=May 10, 2012 }}, jsonline.com

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Republican primary results

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Scott Walker

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 626,538

| percentage = 96.9

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Arthur Kohl-Riggs

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 19,920

| percentage = 3.1

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 646,458

| percentage= 100.0

}}

{{Election box end}}

;General election

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Wisconsin gubernatorial recall election, 2012 results{{cite report |url=http://gab.wi.gov/sites/default/files/Statewide%20Percentage%20Results_6.5.12%20Recall%20Election_PRE%20SEN21%20RECOUNT.pdf |title=Canvass Results for 2012 June 5 Recall Election |publisher=Wisconsin Government Accountability Board |date=June 21, 2012 |access-date=January 9, 2015 |archive-date=May 21, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150521214226/http://www.gab.wi.gov/sites/default/files/Statewide%20Percentage%20Results_6.5.12%20Recall%20Election_PRE%20SEN21%20RECOUNT.pdf |url-status=dead }}

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Scott Walker (Incumbent)

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 1,335,585

| percentage = 53.1

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Tom Barrett

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 1,164,480

| percentage = 46.3

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Hari Trivedi

| party = Independent (politician)

| votes = 14,463

| percentage = 0.6

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 2,514,528

| percentage= 100.0

}}

{{Election box end}}

;State senators

{{main|Wisconsin Senate recall elections, 2012}}

On March 12, the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board confirmed enough signatures had been submitted to recall each of the four Republican state senators.{{cite web |url=http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/elections/court-deal-sets-recall-date-of-june-needs-judge-s/article_8669d018-6d5e-11e1-9b36-001871e3ce6c.html |title=Court deal sets recall date of June 5, needs judge's OK |author=Ed Treleven |work=Wisconsin State Journal |date=March 13, 2012 |access-date=October 4, 2017 |archive-date=October 4, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171004140139/http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/elections/court-deal-sets-recall-date-of-june-needs-judge-s/article_8669d018-6d5e-11e1-9b36-001871e3ce6c.html |url-status=live }} Republicans Scott Fitzgerald and Terry Moulton won their respective recalls. Republican Jerry Petrowski won the open seat vacated by Pam Galloway. Republican Van Wanggaard was defeated by Democrat John Lehman, whom Wanggaard had defeated in 2010. This shifted the power of the Wisconsin Senate briefly to the Democrats, but the Senate Republicans regained a majority (albeit slightly reduced from before) in 2013, after one Democratic State Senator retired and two others lost their own election races in 2013.

;Republican senators

{{refbegin}}

1. {{note|1}} On March 16, 2012, Pam Galloway announced she was resigning from her Senate seat because of illness in her family. A recall election is still planned.{{cite web|url=http://www.wispolitics.com/index.iml?Article=264447|title=WisPolitics.com: Election Blog: Galloway to resign Senate seat, but GAB director says election still on|access-date=October 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130520191038/http://www.wispolitics.com/index.iml?Article=264447|archive-date=May 20, 2013|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}
2. {{note|2}} Jerry Petrowski was uncontested in the Republican primary.

{{refend}}

In Kaukauna, school officials put in place new policies they estimate will turn a $400,000 deficit into a $1.5 million surplus. In April 2011, the union had offered healthcare and pension concessions as well as a wage freeze, which it projected would save $1.8 million, but the offer was rejected by the school board.{{cite news|author=|title=Kaukauna Area School District projects $1.5 million surplus after contract changes to health care, retirement savings|url=http://www.postcrescent.com/article/20110629/APC0101/110629072/Story-documents-Kaukauna-schools-project-1-5M-surplus-|newspaper=Post-Crescent|date=June 29, 2011|access-date=2011-10-28|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111102161816/http://www.postcrescent.com/article/20110629/APC0101/110629072/Story-documents-Kaukauna-schools-project-1-5M-surplus-|archive-date=November 2, 2011|df=mdy-all}} "The monetary part of it is not the entire issue," said board President Todd Arnoldussen. "It was in the collective bargaining agreement that we could only negotiate with them," said Arnoldussen referring to the past, when Kaukauna's agreement with the teachers union required the school district to purchase health insurance coverage from WEA Trust – a company created by the Wisconsin teachers union. This year, the trust told Kaukauna that it would face a significant increase in premiums. With the collective bargaining agreement gone, the school district is free to shop around for coverage. Kaukauna can reduce the size of its classes – from 31 students to 26 students in high school and from 26 students to 23 students in elementary school. In addition, there will be more teacher time for one-on-one sessions with troubled students. Those changes would not have been possible without the changes in collective bargaining. The money saved will be used to hire a few more teachers and institute merit pay.{{cite news |first=Byron |last=York |title=Union curbs rescue a Wisconsin school district |url=http://washingtonexaminer.com/politics/2011/06/union-curbs-rescue-wisconsin-school-district |newspaper=Washington Examiner |date=June 30, 2011 |access-date=2011-07-08 |archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20110708162612/http%3A//washingtonexaminer%2Ecom/politics/2011/06/union%2Dcurbs%2Drescue%2Dwisconsin%2Dschool%2Ddistrict |archive-date=July 8, 2011 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all}}

The city of Milwaukee projects it will save at least $25 million a year and possibly as much as $36 million in 2012 from health care benefit changes due to not having to negotiate with unions. This is offset by about $14 million in cuts in state aid. This contrasts with Mayor Tom Barrett's initial comments in March, after the Walker administration and the nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau released figures on the extent of the aid cuts in the state budget.{{cite web|url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/127269673.html|title=Milwaukee to see net gain from state budget|website=www.jsonline.com|access-date=October 4, 2017|archive-date=June 29, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160629213048/http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/127269673.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/126202303.html|title=Council OKs increase in city employee health costs|website=www.jsonline.com|access-date=October 4, 2017|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304065328/http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/126202303.html|url-status=live}}

Racine County estimates it will save over $1.5 million in employee pension contributions that resulted from recent state collective bargaining changes. In addition, county employees will be more limited on how much comp time they can accrue, will need to pay more for name-brand prescription drugs and will not be able to receive overtime unless they work more than 40 hours. Racine County Executive Jim Ladwig, who proposed the changes, estimated the changes will save the county several hundred thousand dollars per year.{{cite web|url=http://www.journaltimes.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_0d6dae00-dec5-11e0-8205-001cc4c002e0.html|title=Collective bargaining law allows county to change benefits, some employees unhappy|first=Stephanie|last=Jones|date=September 14, 2011 |access-date=October 4, 2017}}

Other examples of district savings include Oshkosh school board, which will save over $3.7 million over the next three years. Menomonee Falls school board will save $2.4 million by changing health providers, Hudson school district will save over $1 million by changing health providers,{{cite web|url=http://www.hudsonstarobserver.com/event/article/id/44071/14|title=New insurance plan will save school district $1 million plus|access-date=October 4, 2017}} Shorewood school district will save $537,000 by changing health providers,{{cite web|url=http://shorewood.patch.com/articles/healthcare-provider-swap-saves-shorewood-schools-537-000|title=Healthcare Provider Swap Saves Shorewood Schools $537,000|date=April 18, 2012|access-date=October 4, 2017}} Ashland school district will save $378,000 by changing health providers,{{cite web|url=http://healthwithinsurance.com/health-insurance/health-insurance-provider-switch-to-save-ashland-school-district-nearly-378000/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120208095808/http://healthwithinsurance.com/health-insurance/health-insurance-provider-switch-to-save-ashland-school-district-nearly-378000/|url-status=dead|title=Health Insurance Provider Switch To Save Ashland School District Nearly $378,000|archive-date=February 8, 2012}} and Wauwatosa school board which would have faced a choice of laying off more than 100 teachers and other employees, yet were able to prevent that outcome by implementing pay freezes and employees accepting higher pension payments and higher deductible health care plans as well as the property tax levy projected to decrease.{{cite web|url=http://wauwatosa.patch.com/articles/school-board-quietly-passes-budget-based-on-sacrifice|title=School Board Quietly Passes Budget Based on Sacrifice|date=June 28, 2011|access-date=October 4, 2017}}

Tax levy figures for the 2011–12 school year show the total tax levy is down more than $47 million for K-12 schools. This amounts to a 1% decrease on the school tax portion of the average property tax bill. Since 1996, it is only the second time the total school tax levy has dropped. Over the last five years the tax levy, on average, increased by $181 million each year. In total, 269 school districts have a property tax levy lower or the same as last year and 200 school districts not only lowered their levy, but cut their mill rate.{{cite news|title=Lower Taxes|url=http://www.reforms.wi.gov/section.asp?linkid=1779&locid=185|agency=State of Wisconsin|access-date=2011-11-17|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111121135518/http://www.reforms.wi.gov/section.asp?linkid=1779&locid=185|archive-date=November 21, 2011|df=mdy-all}}{{cite news|title=FY 2011–2012 Equalized Levy Rates|url=https://www2.dpi.state.wi.us/safr_ro/all_mill_rate.asp?year=2012|agency=Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction|access-date=2011-11-17|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425231545/https://www2.dpi.state.wi.us/safr_ro/all_mill_rate.asp?year=2012|archive-date=April 25, 2012|df=mdy-all}}{{cite news|title=FY 2010–2011 Equalized Levy Rates|url=https://www2.dpi.state.wi.us/safr_ro/all_mill_rate.asp?year=2011|agency=Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction|access-date=2011-11-17|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425231632/https://www2.dpi.state.wi.us/safr_ro/all_mill_rate.asp?year=2011|archive-date=April 25, 2012|df=mdy-all}}

The budget repair law reduced state aid to K–12 school districts by about $900 million over the next two years. 410 of Wisconsin's 424 districts will get about 10 percent less aid than the previous year. The biggest losses in dollar amounts will occur in the Milwaukee, Racine and Green Bay districts; Milwaukee will lose $54.6 million, Racine $13.1 million and Green Bay $8.8 million. State aid to schools is computed by a complex formula based on property values, student enrollment and other factors. Property-poor districts get more aid than property-rich districts because they have lower property taxes.

A provision in the budget repair law restricts the options of what districts can collect in property taxes and other revenue by requiring a referendum to prevent them from trying to replace their losses in state aid without first going to the citizens of the district. In Milwaukee, district officials announced they have eliminated 514 vacant positions and laid off almost 520 employees, including 354 teachers, mostly from elementary schools, which will result in larger class sizes. The Milwaukee School Board asked its teachers union for a side agreement requiring teachers to contribute 5.8% of their pay toward pensions, as the teachers union contract extends through 2013.

The pension contribution would have saved about $20 million and 200 jobs, however the union rejected the concession. The Racine district has saved about $18 million from a wage freeze and larger employee contributions to pensions and health care, but the loss of state aid still required the elimination of 125 positions (although a larger than usual number of retirements and resignations and soon-to-be eliminated positions that are already vacant means the district will actual need to lay off only 60 employees){{cite news|first=Lindsey|last=Fiori|title=Unified plans to cut 125 positions|url=http://journaltimes.com/news/local/article_688deaea-8144-11e0-8c57-001cc4c002e0.html|newspaper=Racine Journal Times|date=May 18, 2011|access-date=2011-07-16}} and the closing of all but one swimming pool for the summer. The Green Bay district also froze wages and required greater employee contributions to pensions and health care, but the district has stopped filling vacancies and may have to combine elementary grades into single classrooms.

Nearly 70% of state school districts will be eligible for special adjustment aid, largely because of the decrease in the state's share of support. The special adjustment aid is intended to provide school districts with 90% of the state general aid from the previous year.{{cite news|first=Karen|last=Herzog|title=Nearly every Wisconsin school district to see cuts in state aid|url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/education/124896984.html|newspaper=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|date=July 1, 2011|access-date=2011-07-16}}{{cite web|url=https://www.twincities.com/2011/07/06/wisconsin-schools-get-less-state-money-next-year-2/|title=Wisconsin schools get less state money next year |date=2011-07-06|publisher=Pioneer Press|access-date=2025-05-14}}

;Union dues changes

Since teachers' unions are no longer able to automatically deduct dues from teachers' paychecks because of the new budget repair law, unions are using a variety of methods including using a combination of meetings, emails, phone calls and home visits to get teachers signed up for dues collection. Some school districts are primarily signing members up for electronic funds transfers so they can deduct money monthly.{{cite web |url=http://journaltimes.com/news/local/article_ff07cf4a-abb0-11e0-bf87-001cc4c03286.html |title=Teachers unions visit homes for dues option |author=Lindsay Fiori |date=July 11, 2011 |access-date=October 4, 2017}} The latest IRS filing available shows that WEAC collected about $23.5 million in membership dues in fiscal year 2009 from its approximately 98,000 members. Most of the membership dues go to pay salaries and benefits. The organization employed 151 people and paid them $14,382,812, which is an average compensation total of $95,250 per employee. This figure includes not only professional staff but also lost wages paid to union bargaining team members, officers, and delegates to conventions.{{cite web|url=http://www.lakelandtimes.com/main.asp?SectionID=9&SubSectionID=110&ArticleID=13387|title=Members chipped in $23.4 million to WEAC in 2008 union dues |work=The Lakeland Times |access-date=October 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929062425/http://www.lakelandtimes.com/main.asp?SectionID=9&SubSectionID=110&ArticleID=13387|archive-date=September 29, 2011|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}

;Union layoffs

The Wisconsin Education Association Council (WEAC), announced they would lay off about 40% of its workforce. The layoffs and budget cuts are based on a projected loss of revenue as a result of the budget repair legislation.

;Union decertifications

For the affected unions, Act 10 prohibited collective bargaining agreements from covering any topic other than base wages, with any raises prohibited from exceeding the cost of inflation. Furthermore, it required the unions to hold an election every year where 51% of all employees (not simply 51% of those choosing to vote) had to vote Yes in order to continue collective bargaining in the coming year. Given these constraints, a number of unions declined to participate in the annual election, and thus were "decertified"—no longer recognized as a collective bargaining agent by the state of Wisconsin.

The UW–Madison teaching assistant union, which was at the forefront of the protests against the new budget repair law, declined to recertify their union in August 2011. Union leaders for state and local government workers said they also were leaning toward not recertifying.{{cite web |url=http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/education/university/article_c1f4aa2c-ca8e-11e0-8066-001cc4c002e0.html |title=UW-Madison teaching assistants union votes against state certification |author=Steven Verburg |date=August 19, 2011 |access-date=October 4, 2017}}

On August 29, 2011, the Wisconsin Education Association Council (WEAC) announced it would allow local union affiliates to possibly drop certification and that the group would accept whatever the local unions chose.{{cite web|author1=Jason Stein |author2=Erin Richards |url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/128605913.html |title=Unions change course on recertification votes |publisher=JSOnline |date=August 29, 2011 |access-date=2011-10-28}}

On September 21, the 23,000-member Wisconsin State Employees Union announced it would not recertify. The state employee unions represented by the American Federation of Teachers-Wisconsin also mostly declined to recertify, with only a small local, the Professional Employees in Research, Statistics and Analysis, representing 58 employees, announcing a recertification vote among its members. Only 4 small unions are expected to recertify on the deadline for re-certification, 4:30 pm on September 22. They represent building trades workers, prosecutors, attorneys, and state research employees. Any union that has not filed re-certification by this time will lose official certification within the state. Some school and local government employees have outstanding contracts and won't have to vote to recertify until these current contracts run out. Unions for teachers and other school district employees without contracts have until Sep 30 to file for a recertification election. Municipal employees without contracts have until Jan. 30. Besides the state unions, 13 other local government and school district unions so far have also filed with the state seeking a recertification election.{{cite web |author=Jason Stein |url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/Largest-state-unions-wont-seek-recertification-by-Thursday-deadline.html |title=Largest state unions won't seek recertification by Thursday deadline |publisher=JSOnline |date=September 21, 2011 |access-date=2011-10-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110924071259/http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/Largest-state-unions-wont-seek-recertification-by-Thursday-deadline.html |archive-date=September 24, 2011 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all}}

In December 2011, many local teachers unions (177 of 206) voted to re-certify. A majority of those teachers unions that held elections voted to re-certify and a majority of those that failed to re-certify did so due to rules in the new law treating a non-vote the same as a vote against recertification. For example, in one election the teachers' union was de-certified when the vote to re-certify was 31 in favor of recertification and 1 against. However, since the union was listed as having 64 members, the union was decertified because a majority of total members (33) is required to re-certify, not a majority of votes cast.{{citation |url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/education/education-unions-vote-to-recertify-sd3caui-135285458.html |title=Majority of education unions vote to recertify |publisher=JSOnline |date=December 8, 2011}}

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett asked city firefighters and police officers to voluntarily accept the pension and health care concessions that the state budget-repair bill required on most other public employee unions. Without such concessions, city officials would be forced to cut deeply into other services to make up for the cuts in state aid included in Gov. Scott Walker's 2011–'13 state budget. Walker's budget-repair bill would require most state and local government and school district employees to pay at least 5.8% of their pension costs and 12.6% of their health care premiums, while eliminating most collective bargaining, except for wages, within strict limits. But none of those changes would apply to police officers, firefighters, sheriff's deputies or state troopers. The firefighters union have been without a contract for about 14 months, and negotiations have been in mediation since the fall of 2011. The police union is open to considering the mayor's request.{{cite web|url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/117438683.html|title=Barrett asks city firefighters, cops for concessions|website=www.jsonline.com|access-date=October 4, 2017}}

Leaders of the Milwaukee teachers union, Milwaukee Public Schools administration and School Board asked the state Legislature to create a window of time for the district to negotiate compensation or fringe-benefit concessions without nullifying existing union contracts. Milwaukee Public Schools must contribute nearly $10 million more to the city's pension plan because of financial market downturns. That pension is for nonclassified district employees such as educational assistants and engineers, but fulfilling the obligation means even more money could be taken from the classroom in a time of already reduced finances. The school board in December 2011, decided to increase employee contributions to their health care and pension plans, but those won't initiate until contracts expire in the summer of 2012 for many district employees. The teachers' contract expires in the summer of 2013. The existing contract includes a 3% salary raise, and School Board President Michael Bonds considered asking the union if it would forgo that raise. Instead, he said, they decided to try to ask the state Legislature for permission to reopen the whole contract to look at various elements without penalty.{{cite web|url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/education/union-mps-seek-talks-over-pension-hit-tu4hv8g-142409755.html|title=Union, MPS seek time to discuss contract changes|access-date=October 4, 2017}} The Assembly and Senate agreed to allow Milwaukee schools to reopen negotiations for compensation or fringe-benefit concessions without nullifying existing union contracts. The measure giving them 90 days passed the Assembly and Senate. Gov. Scott Walker supports the measure. Other teachers unions asked Milwaukee to withdraw its request, saying it would give Walker a political advantage in the recall election.{{cite web|url=http://www.news8000.com/news/Wisconsin-legislature-approves-Milwaukee-schools-plan/-/326/9294638/-/681ikez/-/index.html|title=Wisconsin legislature approves Milwaukee schools plan|access-date=October 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130526144204/http://www.news8000.com/news/Wisconsin-legislature-approves-Milwaukee-schools-plan/-/326/9294638/-/681ikez/-/index.html|archive-date=May 26, 2013|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}

In 2018, after experiencing reductions in compensation and benefits {{cite web|url=https://www.uft.org/news/labor-issues/wisconsin-teachers-suffer-after-unions-decimated|title=Teacherbenefits, Wisconsin teachers suffer after unions decimated|access-date=August 24, 2019}} 40% of Wisconsin teachers called in sick as part of protests planned at the capitol while school was in session. This resulted in multiple school closures.{{cite web|url=https://www.publicschoolreview.com/blog/40-of-teachers-call-in-sick-in-wisconsin|title=Teachersickout, 40% of Teachers Call in Sick in Wisconsin|access-date=August 24, 2019}}

;2011

After the collective bargaining bill was signed into law, Dane County Judge Maryann Sumi struck it down, ruling that it was passed in violation of the Open Meetings Law. The Wisconsin Supreme Court overturned Sumi's ruling on June 14.

In July 2011, workers from two local chapters of the AFL–CIO filed a lawsuit against the law, alleging it violates the US Constitution's equal protection clause by limiting collective bargaining only for public workers. Another lawsuit was filed by opponents of the Budget Repair Bill, raising claims that public workers could lose their jobs to Wisconsin prisoners by officials who will now have greater leeway to assign those jobs previously reserved for unionized employees.{{cite web|url=http://wsau.com/news/articles/2011/jul/07/unions-file-second-lawsuit-against-collective-bargaining|title=Unions file second lawsuit against collective bargaining|website=WSAU|access-date=October 4, 2017|archive-date=October 5, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171005000315/http://wsau.com/news/articles/2011/jul/07/unions-file-second-lawsuit-against-collective-bargaining/|url-status=dead}}[http://www.democracynow.org/2011/7/8/headlines#16 Workers File New Suit Against Wisconsin Anti-Union Law; Prison Labor Could Replace Public Employees], Democracy Now!

On December 30, 2011, Dane County district attorney Ismael Ozanne asked the state Supreme Court to reopen the collective bargaining case because he said Justice Michael Gableman was wrong to participate in the matter due to possible ethics violations.{{cite web|url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/citing-gableman-legal-work-da-asks-justices-to-reopen-bargaining-case-sk3kl7l-136452808.html|title=Citing Gableman legal work, DA asks justices to reopen bargaining case|access-date=October 4, 2017}}

;2012

On March 30, 2012, a federal court struck down key parts of the collective bargaining legislation, ruling that the state cannot prevent public employee unions from collecting dues and cannot require they recertify annually.{{cite web |url=http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/federal-court-strikes-down-parts-of-collective-bargaining-law/article_562c581e-7a9f-11e1-9aea-0019bb2963f4.html#ixzz1qdSwIUUm |title=Federal court strikes down parts of collective bargaining law |author=Clay Barbour |author2= Mary Spicuzza |work=Wisconsin State Journal |date=March 31, 2012 |access-date= October 4, 2017}} On September 24, 2012 the State of Wisconsin appealed that decision at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.{{cite web|last=Riedel|first=Anthony|title=Update: Wisconsin Civil Servants Defend Governor's Public-Sector Unionism Reforms in Federal Appeals Court|url=http://www.nrtw.org/en/blog/act-10-appeals-court-hearing-09262012|access-date=October 5, 2012}}

On September 14, 2012, Dane County circuit Judge Juan Colas decided to overturn the law restricting collective bargaining rights for public employees, ruling that the law violates state and federal constitutions.[http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/09/14/13868190-judge-strikes-down-wisconsin-law-restricting-union-rights?lite Judge strikes down Wisconsin law restricting union rights], NBC News, September 14, 2012.

;2013

In January 2013, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh District upheld the Wisconsin collective bargaining law.[http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/news/2013/01/18/wisconsin-act-10-upheld-by-federal.html Wis Act 10 upheld]

In September 2013, U.S. District Judge William Conley threw out the lawsuit from two public sector unions for "contending the law violates their rights to freedom of association and equal protection under the law." First Amendment does not require an affirmative response from governmental entities; it simply requires the absence of a negative restriction," Conley wrote. "Under Act 10, general employees remain free to associate and represent employees and their unions remain free to speak; municipal employers are simply not allowed to listen."Marley, Patrick. "Federal judge backs Scott Walker in Act 10 ruling, dismisses lawsuit," Milwaukee Journal, September 11, 2013. Accessed September 13, 2013.

File:TAA Rally in the Capitol, 2012 (6879367837).jpg

• Union officials in central Wisconsin voted to ban Republican politicians from the Labor Day parade held in Wausau, Wisconsin. In a statement from the union council website, council president Randy Radtke said that politicians are welcome at the festivities only if they have demonstrated support for workers' rights.{{cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/08/29/republicans-banned-labor-day-parade-wisconsin_n_939879.html|title=Republican Politicians Banned From Labor Day Parade In Wisconsin|first=Amanda|last=Terkel|date=August 29, 2011|access-date=October 4, 2017|work=HuffPost}} Mayor Jim Tipple of Wausau responded that the city would not help with the cost of the parade unless a decision to ban Republican politicians was reversed.{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-wisconsin-labor-group-bans-gop-politicians-from-holiday-parade-20110830,0,6999056.story|title=Wisconsin labor group bans GOP politicians from holiday parade|website=Chicago Tribune |access-date=October 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110917164433/http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-wisconsin-labor-group-bans-gop-politicians-from-holiday-parade-20110830,0,6999056.story|archive-date=September 17, 2011|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-labor-day-wisconsin/labor-leaders-must-pay-for-parade-if-gop-banned-mayor-says-idUSTRE77T64220110830|title=Labor leaders must pay for parade if GOP banned, mayor says|date=August 30, 2011|access-date=October 4, 2017|work=Reuters}} The union later reversed its decision to exclude Republican politicians.{{cite web|url=http://www.wlsam.com/Article.asp?id=2274627&spid=|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927035703/http://www.wlsam.com/Article.asp?id=2274627&spid=|url-status=dead|title=Unions reverse decision to ban GOP from parade|archive-date=September 27, 2011}}
• In September 2011, Republican State Senator and Joint Finance Committee Chair Alberta Darling said Democratic State Senator Lena Taylor should be removed from the Joint Finance Committee. A heated exchange transpired between the two senators during the committee meeting. Darling attempted to twice interject while Taylor was speaking. The committee went informal twice after the senators argued back and forth. It started when Senator Taylor was speaking about the need to pay for the officers who helped control protesters in February and March. Senator Darling walked out of the meeting for a moment. When she returned, the two continued the heated exchange. Senator Darling responded to the incident by saying, "She doesn't feel like she has to respect the voice and the opinions of the chair. She can call people liars. This level of disrespect for the process, disrespect for rules of law and disrespect for the process of doing legislations for the people of Wisconsin is a concern."{{cite web|url=http://www.fox6now.com/news/politics/witi-20110922-darling-taylor-removed,0,7862337.story|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110925210851/http://www.fox6now.com/news/politics/witi-20110922-darling-taylor-removed%2C0%2C7862337.story|url-status=dead|title=Alberta Darling wants Lena Taylor removed from Joint Finance Committee|archive-date=September 25, 2011}}{{cite web|url=http://wispolitics.com/index.iml?Article=248033|title=Darling, Grothman say Taylor should be removed from JFC|access-date=October 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111012043355/http://wispolitics.com/index.iml?Article=248033|archive-date=October 12, 2011|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}{{cite web|url=http://badgerherald.com/news/2011/09/22/darling_calls_for_ta.php|title=Darling calls for Taylor's removal from JFC|date=September 22, 2011|access-date=October 4, 2017|archive-date=January 16, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130116210351/http://badgerherald.com/news/2011/09/22/darling_calls_for_ta.php|url-status=dead}}
• In February 2012, Charles Koch, who was accused of aiding Governor Walker in his disputes against public employee unions, revealed that he received threatening e-mails of which many contained obscenities. Some Koch employees said these messages had made them nervous.{{cite web |title=Charles Koch, employees reveal e-mailed threats from past year |url=http://www.kansas.com/2012/02/17/2219424/charles-koch-employees-reveal.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120219182300/http://www.kansas.com/2012/02/17/2219424/charles-koch-employees-reveal.html |archive-date=February 19, 2012 |url-status=dead |access-date=2012-02-21 |df=mdy}}
• In 2012, Governor Walker took issue with the teachers' union WEAC not releasing its annual surveys measuring layoffs and school conditions. There was a survey of superintendents by the Department of Public Instruction and the Wisconsin Association of School District Administrators (WASDA) in the fall of 2011 which the governor used to compare the performance of his reforms to the previous administration.{{cite web |url=http://165.189.60.210/Images/WEAC%20WASDA%20DPI%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf |title=WEAC/DPI/WASDA Fact Sheet |access-date=April 14, 2012 |archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20120411184715/http://165.189.60.210/Images/WEAC%20WASDA%20DPI%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf |archive-date=April 11, 2012 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all}} The WASDA survey results compare favorable to those that have been released by WEAC from prior years. Governor Walker indicates that it is evidence that the efforts associated with the implemented reforms under Act 10 are successful. WEAC responded that drawing attention to this was political in nature.{{cite web|url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/education/weac-walker-at-odds-over-surveys-release-1m4vtqf-147268665.html|title=WEAC, Walker at odds over surveys' release|website=www.jsonline.com|access-date=October 4, 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.fox11online.com/dpp/news/wisconsin/gov-scott-walker-writes-letter-to-weac-demanding-survey-results-be-posted-online|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120415195701/http://www.fox11online.com/dpp/news/wisconsin/gov-scott-walker-writes-letter-to-weac-demanding-survey-results-be-posted-online|url-status=dead|title=Walker to WEAC: Post school survey data|archive-date=April 15, 2012}}{{cite web|url=http://www.wkow.com/story/17424717/govenor-weac-spar-over-education-data|title=Governor, WEAC spar over education data|first=Tony|last=Galli|access-date=October 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171004190335/http://www.wkow.com/story/17424717/govenor-weac-spar-over-education-data|archive-date=October 4, 2017|url-status=dead}} Walker posted WEAC's previous surveys on the governor's website[http://www.walker.wi.gov/Default.aspx?Page=1e140861-08f4-43d7-b1db-e9d92ed72a31 Governor Walker Touts WEAC Survey Data] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120428012510/http://www.walker.wi.gov/Default.aspx?Page=1e140861-08f4-43d7-b1db-e9d92ed72a31 |date=April 28, 2012}} and compared previous survey results to current trends which shows improvements in the following four areas: teacher layoffs, class size, student fees, and extracurricular programs. The data compares 2011–2012 (Act 10) to the school years 2002–2003 through 2008–2009. Walker requested that the survey results be made available and asked why previous surveys had been removed from their website.{{cite web |url=http://wtaq.com/blogs/post/jbader/2012/apr/13/weacwalker-data-shodown/ |title=WEAC/Walker Data Shodown - WTAQ News Talk 97.5FM and 1360AM |access-date=April 14, 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130209151138/http://wtaq.com/blogs/post/jbader/2012/apr/13/weacwalker-data-shodown/ |archive-date=February 9, 2013 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all}}

• U.S. President Barack Obama, said that Walker's proposal "seems more like an assault on unions".{{cite news|url=http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2011/02/obama-on-wisconsin-budget-protests-an-assault-on-workers.html|title=Obama On Wisconsin Budget Protests: 'An Assault On Unions'|work= ABC News|author=Miller, Sunlen|date=February 17, 2011}}
• Wisconsin U.S. Senator Herb Kohl opposes limiting state workers' bargaining rights, but said they should contribute more to their benefits and pension policies. He supported the Democratic State Senators who left the state.{{cite web|url=http://www.waow.com/story/14137433/sen-herb-kohl-reacts-to-madison-protests?redirected=true|title=Sen. Herb Kohl reacts to Madison protests|publisher=Waow.com|date=February 24, 2011|access-date=2011-05-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724174833/http://www.waow.com/story/14137433/sen-herb-kohl-reacts-to-madison-protests?redirected=true|archive-date=July 24, 2011|url-status=dead}}
• Wisconsin U.S. Senator Ron Johnson said the budget repair bill "is not about individual workers...but about rebalancing the equation so that the taxpayers' interests are being protected." He said that the "amount of thuggery, the threats of execution" have not been sufficiently covered by the media.{{cite news|last=Rubin|first=Jennifer|url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/right-turn/2011/03/sen_russ_johnson_denounces_mob.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111024234415/http://voices.washingtonpost.com/right-turn/2011/03/sen_russ_johnson_denounces_mob.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 24, 2011|title=Sen. Ron Johnson denounces 'mob rule'|newspaper=Washington Post|date=March 11, 2011|access-date=2011-05-10}}
• Former Republican U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich called the debate a "profound struggle between the right of the people to govern themselves and the power of entrenched, selfish interests to stop reforms and defy the will of the people."[http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=41948 "Help Scott Walker Today"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110308025629/http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=41948 |date=March 8, 2011}}, Human Events, February 23, 2011.
• Republican U.S. House Speaker John Boehner compared the Wisconsin protests to the 2010-2011 Greek protests, and accused Obama's administration of helping coordinate union groups to rally in larger numbers in Madison.{{cite web|last=Newlin|first=Eliza|url=http://nationaljournal.com/congress/boehner-blasts-obama-allies-for-ties-to-wisconsin-protests-20110218|title=Boehner Blasts Obama Allies for Ties to Wisconsin Protests|work=NationalJournal.com|access-date=2011-03-21|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110222142752/http://nationaljournal.com/congress/boehner-blasts-obama-allies-for-ties-to-wisconsin-protests-20110218|archive-date=February 22, 2011|df=mdy-all}}
• The protests have been compared to the 2011 Egyptian revolution by both Democratic Representatives such as John Lewis,{{cite web|url=http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Global-News/2011/0223/Cheddar-revolution-Glenn-Beck-vs.-Jon-Stewart-on-Middle-East-Wisconsin-comparisons |title=Cheddar revolution? Glenn Beck vs. Jon Stewart on Middle East-Wisconsin comparisons |author=Kurczy, Stephen |work=Christian Science Monitor |date=February 23, 2011 |access-date=2011-02-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110224030858/http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Global-News/2011/0223/Cheddar-revolution-Glenn-Beck-vs.-Jon-Stewart-on-Middle-East-Wisconsin-comparisons |archive-date=February 24, 2011 |url-status=live |df=mdy}} and Republican Representatives, such as Paul Ryan.{{cite news|first=Catalina |last=Camia |title=Rep. Paul Ryan compares Wisconsin protests to Cairo |date=February 17, 2011 |work=USA Today |url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/onpolitics/post/2011/02/paul-ryan-wisconsin-protests-egypt/1 |access-date=2011-02-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110218083105/http://content.usatoday.com/communities/onpolitics/post/2011/02/paul-ryan-wisconsin-protests-egypt/1 |archive-date=February 18, 2011 |url-status=live |df=mdy}} Mike Lux, a political consultant, stated that "the pictures we are seeing and the story playing out in Wisconsin is like Egypt in some really important ways. The new mass militancy of union members, students, and other allies of the maligned teachers, social workers, cops, firefighters, and other public employees being attacked and threatened by the governor is not a manufactured thing, it is a mass movement spreading like wildfire, building in momentum day by day."{{cite news|first=Mike |last=Lux |title=Egypt, Wisconsin, and the Future of Our Democracy |date=February 18, 2011 |work=Huffington Post |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-lux/egypt-wisconsin-and-the-f_b_825185.html |access-date=2011-02-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110219082708/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-lux/egypt-wisconsin-and-the-f_b_825185.html |archive-date=February 19, 2011 |url-status=live |df=mdy}}
• Arne Carlson, a former Republican governor of neighboring Minnesota, criticized Walker for a bill provision allowing for the no-bid sale of state-owned energy facilities, and for his actions regarding the fake call.{{cite web|url=http://www.startribune.com/opinion/commentary/117080463.html|author=Jill Burcum|title=Arne Carlson criticizes Wisconsin governor's tactics|work=Minneapolis Star Tribune|date=February 28, 2011|access-date=2011-03-04|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110304145254/http://www.startribune.com/opinion/commentary/117080463.html|archive-date=March 4, 2011|df=mdy-all}}

• An NBC News article by John Bailey listed as one of five factors responsible for the budget shortfall a series of tax cuts beginning in 2003 by the Wisconsin Legislature, claiming they would cause an "$800 million-per-year reduction in tax revenues" in 2013.Bailey, John (February 18, 2011) [https://web.archive.org/web/20110220210703/http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/02/18/6081693-wisconsin-how-we-got-here "Wisconsin: How we got here."] NBC News.
• National Review reported that opponents of Act 10 used some controversial methods.{{cite magazine |title=Wisconsin's Shame: 'I Thought It Was a Home Invasion' |url=http://www.nationalreview.com/article/417155/wisconsins-shame-i-thought-it-was-home-invasion-david-french |author=French, David |magazine=National Review |date=May 4, 2015 |access-date=April 22, 2015 |quote=Yes, Wisconsin, [...] was giving birth to a new progressive idea, the use of law enforcement as a political instrument, as a weapon to attempt to undo election results, shame opponents, and ruin lives.}}

• Milwaukee Catholic Archbishop Jerome Listecki sent a statement to the Joint Finance Committee asking for respect for the legitimate rights of workers and specifically referenced Pope Benedict XVI's encyclical Caritas in veritate and Pope John Paul II's encyclical Laborem exercens. The archbishop, however, went on to add that not every claim made by workers or their representatives is valid and that every union is called to work for the common good, to make sacrifices when required, and to adjust to new economic realities.{{cite web|url=http://www.biztimes.com/daily/2011/2/16/#archbishop-listecki-and-uw-chancellor-martin-ask-legislature-to-negotiate-with-employees|title=Daily for Wednesday, February 16, 2011|publisher=BizTimes|date=February 16, 2011|access-date=2011-02-28}}{{cite web|url=https://www.archmil.org/News/StatementRegardingtheRightsofW.htm|title=Statement Regarding the Rights of Workers and the Value of Unions|publisher=Wisconsin Catholic Conference|date=February 16, 2011|access-date=2011-03-12}}
• United Methodist Church Bishop of Wisconsin Linda Lee has voiced her concern by referencing the 2008 Book of Discipline, which supports the right of all public and private employees and employers to organize for collective bargaining. She requested that the governor reconsider his initiative in this matter.{{cite web|url=http://media.journalinteractive.com/documents/faith021811-2.pdf|title=Letter from Bishop Linda Lee to Governor Walker|publisher=Media.JournalInteractive.com|date=February 16, 2011|access-date=2011-03-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111222185530/http://media.journalinteractive.com/documents/faith021811-2.pdf|archive-date=December 22, 2011|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}
• Rabbi Jonathan Biatch of Madison's Temple Beth El spoke out against Governor Walker's bill and was one of eight rabbis of Madison's liberal Jewish movements to sign a letter supporting the Jewish mandate to protect workers, as well as the poor and needy, deep value for education, for supporting women's rights, and for creating sustainable communities, and their belief that these issues should be debated openly and fairly under public scrutiny.[http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/116450358.html Faith leaders voice support for unions] Annysa Johnson, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, February 18, 2011.{{cite web|url=http://rjrblog.blogspot.com/2011/02/madison-rabbis-speak-out-against.html|title=Madison Rabbis Speak Out Against Governor Walker's Proposed Budget Repair Bill|publisher=Rabbi Jonathan's Rabbinical blog|date=February 26, 2011|access-date=2011-03-12}}

• Solidarity was the watchword throughout the 2011 protests, beginning very soon after Governor Walker proposed his collective bargaining changes on February 11. Public and private unions alike, including the largest police and fire unions whose members were exempt under the Governor's bill, met on February 14 to declare their opposition to the Governor's "union-busting measures."{{cite web |author=Dean Robbins |url=http://www.thedailypage.com/daily/article.php?article=32245 |title=Wisconsin labor leaders declare solidarity against Walker's budget bill – Isthmus |publisher=The Daily Page |date=February 14, 2011 |access-date=2011-10-28 |archive-date=October 11, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111011162228/http://www.thedailypage.com/daily/article.php?article=32245 |url-status=dead }}
• An ad created by advisers to the national AFL–CIO, SEIU and AFSCME unions and paid for by the Wisconsin AFL–CIO was launched. The ad featured "Racine firefighter Mike DeGarmo proclaiming solidarity between firefighters (who, like police officers, are exempt from Walker's proposal) and other public employees. ... A spokesman for the national AFL–CIO, Eddie Vale, says [the ad]'s supported by a 'significant statewide buy'".Sargent, Greg, [https://web.archive.org/web/20111024234432/http://voices.washingtonpost.com/plum-line/2011/02/americans_for_prosperity_to_ru.html "Unions launch TV ad campaign backing Wisconsin public employees"], The Washington Post Plum Line blog, February 22, 2011 6:38 am ET; retrieved 2011-02-22.
• Stu Betts, the former president of the West De Pere Educational Association (WDPEA), sent a letter to the union membership indicating that he resigned under pressure from the WDPEA executive committee. He claims that the Wisconsin Education Association Council (WEAC) is about making sure union dues are mandatory, not about teachers' rights. He did not endorse the demonstrations at the capital but did state he wrote letters to the governor expressing concerns regarding the proposed legislation.{{cite web|url=http://content.clearchannel.com/cc-common/mlib/3627/03/3627_1300321885.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708163554/http://content.clearchannel.com/cc-common/mlib/3627/03/3627_1300321885.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=2011-07-08|title=Dear Fellow WDPEA Members|access-date=2011-03-21}}{{cite news|title=Head of W. De Pere teachers union quits|newspaper=Green Bay Press-Gazette|location=Green Bay, Wisconsin, US|date=2011-04-18|page=3|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/green-bay-press-gazette/172403496/|via=newspapers.com|access-date=2025-05-14}}
• Harold A. Schaitberger, the president of the International Association of Firefighters, said that they will quit donating to federal candidates this year because members of Congress are not doing enough to support organized labor. He says there is a more urgent need to spend money defending anti-union measures sweeping GOP-controlled statehouses across the country and that members of Congress should be doing more to speak out against efforts in states to take away collective bargaining rights and weaken union clout. The union is among the most influential and biggest-spending lobbying groups on Capitol Hill.{{cite news|last=Hananel|first=Sam|date=April 26, 2011|title=Firefighters union halting federal contributions|url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/firefighters-union-halting-federal-contributions-181929786.html|work=Yahoo! News|agency=Associated Press|access-date=2017-01-07|archive-date=January 8, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170108192036/https://www.yahoo.com/news/firefighters-union-halting-federal-contributions-181929786.html|url-status=dead}}
• {{flagicon|Poland}} Piotr Duda, president of the Polish trade union Solidarity, released a statement on behalf of the 700,000-strong union in support of the Wisconsin protesters.{{cite web|last=Drake|first=Bruce|url=http://www.politicsdaily.com/2011/02/25/wisconsin-workers-get-support-from-polands-solidarity-trade-uni|title=Wisconsin Workers Get Support from Poland's Solidarity Trade Union|publisher=Politicsdaily.com|access-date=2011-02-28}}
• {{flagicon|Spain}} The Spanish union confederation CNT released a statement supporting the "workers who have taken a stand against aggressions to their rights as laborers and especially to their right to organize."{{cite web|url=http://www.iww.org/node/5361|title=CNT solidarity with Madison|publisher=IWW.org|date=February 27, 2011|access-date=2014-01-03}}

• Linguist and social activist Noam Chomsky (a self-described libertarian socialist) said that the Wisconsin protests and the 2011 Egyptian revolution "are closely intertwined", and that both consist of "struggles for labor rights and democracy".{{cite web|last=Chomsky |first=Noam |author-link=Noam Chomsky |title=The Cairo-Madison Connection |publisher=Z Communications |date=March 2011 |url=http://www.zcommunications.org/the-cairo-madison-connection-by-noam-chomsky |access-date=2011-03-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110315211417/http://www.zcommunications.org/the-cairo-madison-connection-by-noam-chomsky |archive-date=March 15, 2011 |url-status=live |df=mdy}}

• The Heritage Foundation's policy analyst James Sherk wrote in support of Governor Walker's budget plan, "Gov. Walker's plan reasserts voter control over government policy. Voters' elected representatives should decide how the government spends their taxes. More states should heed the AFL–CIO Executive Council's 1959 advice: 'in terms of accepted collective bargaining procedures, government workers have no right beyond the authority to petition Congress—a right available to every citizen.'"{{unfit|1=[https://archive.today/20120707165127/http://blog.heritage.org/2011/02/19/fdr-warmed-us "FDR Warned Us"]}}, James Sherk, The Foundry, February 19, 2011.
• Wisconsin Policy Research Institute released a study that shows that state public employees on average receive hundreds of dollars more per month in retirement than higher-paid employees in the private sector. According to the report, an employee covered by the Wisconsin Retirement System who earns $48,000 a year would retire with an estimated monthly benefit of $1,712 from the system ($20,544 a year). In contrast, a private sector employee who earned $70,000 a year would get an estimated $1,301 a month in retirement ($15,612 a year) which is $411 less per month ($4932 a year) than the lower-paid public sector retiree.{{cite web|url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/wisconsin/85159562.html|title=Government workers get pension edge, study finds|access-date=October 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160521020546/http://www.jsonline.com/news/wisconsin/85159562.html|archive-date=May 21, 2016|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}{{cite web|title=The Imbalance Between Public and Private Pensions in Wisconsin|url=http://www.wpri.org/Reports/Volume23/Vol23No2/Vol23No2.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130416045511/http://www.wpri.org/Reports/Volume23/Vol23No2/Vol23No2.html|archive-date=16 April 2013|access-date=October 4, 2017|publisher=Wisconsin Policy Research Institute}}
• Americans for Prosperity president Tim Phillips went to Madison to "voice praise for cutting state spending by slashing union benefits and bargaining rights [and to address] a large group of counterprotesters." Phillips also said: "We are going to bring fiscal sanity back to this great nation. ... This is a watershed moment in Wisconsin. ... For the last two decades, government unions have used their power to drive pensions and benefits and salaries well beyond anything that can be sustained. We are just trying to change that."Lipton, Eric, [https://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/22/us/22koch.html?_r=1 "Billionaire Brothers' Money Plays Role in Wisconsin Dispute"], The New York Times, February 21, 2011 (February 22, 2011, page A16 NY edition). The group planned an ad campaign in support of Gov. Walker's initiatives.Sargent, Greg, [https://web.archive.org/web/20111024234432/http://voices.washingtonpost.com/plum-line/2011/02/americans_for_prosperity_to_ru.html "Americans for Prosperity to run ads in Wisconsin"], The Washington Post Plum Line blog, February 22, 2011 2:50 pm ET. Retrieved 2011-02-22.
• Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington claimed Gov. Walker violated Wisconsin law by unlawfully sending state troopers in search of a missing legislator, as well as possibly conspiring with the State Patrol superintendent (the father of Scott Fitzgerald, the Republican Senate Majority Leader, who was appointed by Walker) in order to do so.{{cite web|url=http://www.citizensforethics.org/press/entry/crew-wi-governor-violated-state-law-by-sending-troopers-after-missing-legli|title=CREW: WI Governor Violated State Law by Sending Troopers After Missing Legislator |publisher=Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington |access-date=2011-02-28|url-status=dead|archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20120907205933/http://www.citizensforethics.org/press/entry/crew-wi-governor-violated-state-law-by-sending-troopers-after-missing-legli|archive-date=September 7, 2012|df=mdy-all}}

Their sentiments have been echoed by other nonpartisan watchdog groups, both local (such as Wisconsin Common Cause{{cite web|author=Steve Schultze |url=http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/116772144.html|title=Common Cause calls for Walker probe|publisher=JSOnline|date=February 23, 2011|access-date=2011-03-04}}) and national (such as the Public Campaign Action Fund{{cite news|author=Greg Sargent|url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/plum-line/2011/02/watchdog_calls_for_probe_of_go.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111024234424/http://voices.washingtonpost.com/plum-line/2011/02/watchdog_calls_for_probe_of_go.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 24, 2011|title=Watchdog calls for criminal probe of Governor Walker over prank Koch call|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=February 24, 2011|access-date=2011-03-04}}), who have requested that state authorities review Walker's conduct in the fake call to determine whether he had violated ethics/campaign laws.

• On February 21, a major draw for the protesters was Tom Morello, guitarist of rock group Rage Against the Machine, who said his mother was a union public school teacher in Illinois. Morello also said "[f]riends and unions in Brazil and in Korea—the whole world is watching"; and that he had "even heard from a principal organizer of the protests in Cairo about what's happening in Madison."[http://www.channel3000.com/news/26946662/detail.html "Madison Protests Get International Attention: Thousands Of Protesters Descend On Capitol"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110223094258/http://www.channel3000.com/news/26946662/detail.html |date=February 23, 2011}}, Channel3000, February 22, 2011, 2:31 pm CST; retrieved 2011-02-22.
• Peter Yarrow, from Peter, Paul and Mary, attended and said he was honored to be a part of the protests.{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-wisconsin-protests-idUSTRE71O4F420110226 |work=Reuters | title=Largest crowds since Vietnam War march in Wisconsin |date=February 26, 2011}}
• Filmmaker Michael Moore was in attendance on March 5, where he addressed the protesters from the Capitol, criticizing the Wisconsin Legislature and leadership. He said: "Right now the Earth is shaking and the ground is shifting under the feet of those who are in charge. America is not broke.... Wisconsin is not broke. The only thing that's broke is the moral compass of the rulers."{{Cite news|last=Wahlberg|first=David|title=Moore: Protesters have 'aroused a sleeping giant'|newspaper=Wisconsin State Journal|date=March 5, 2011|url=http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_8a60e128-4791-11e0-9892-001cc4c002e0.html|access-date=March 6, 2011}}
• John Darnielle ("The Mountain Goats") showed his support by posting pro-union tweets and publishing a video cover of Joe Hill's "There is Power in the Union".{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/41838-video-mountain-goats-sing-pro-union-folk-song|title=Video: Mountain Goats Sing Pro-Union Folk Song|website=Pitchfork|date=March 10, 2011|access-date=March 11, 2011}}
• On February 26, actor Bradley Whitford, a native of Madison, spoke to the protesters in Madison in support of the unions, declaring, "He [Walker] needs to know this will not stand."{{cite news|url=http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_19c56fb6-41d7-11e0-820b-001cc4c03286.html|title=C More than 70,000 protesters participate in rally at Capitol|newspaper=Wisconsin State Journal|date=February 26, 2011|access-date=March 30, 2011}}
• On March 12, actors Susan Sarandon and Tony Shalhoub (a Green Bay native) spoke to the protesters in Madison, and pledged their support of the unions.{{cite news|url=http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_9f189108-4cbc-11e0-b9b8-001cc4c002e0.html|title=Collective Bargaining bill signing brings largest rally yet to capitol|newspaper=Wisconsin State Journal|date=March 13, 2011|access-date=March 13, 2011}}
• On Labor Day 2014, Massachusetts-based band Eddie Japan released the video for their new song, "Fight Song", on the website of the Wisconsin AFL–CIO; the video dedicates the song to the 2011 Wisconsin protestors.{{cite web|url=http://www.vanyaland.com/2014/09/02/eddie-japan-teams-wisconsin-worker-movement-fight-song/|title=Stand United: Eddie Japan teams with Wisconsin worker movement for 'Fight Song' - Vanyaland|date=September 2, 2014|access-date=October 4, 2017}}

The New York Times conservative columnist David Brooks wrote that "[i]t's the Democratic minority that is thwarting the majority will by fleeing to Illinois".{{cite web|url=http://www.daytondailynews.com/opinion/columnists/david-brooks-were-hostages-of-powerful-public-sector-unions-975313.html|title=David Brooks: We're hostages of powerful public-sector unions|publisher=Daytondailynews.com|date=October 12, 2010|access-date=2011-02-28}} Brooks opined that private sector unions push against the interests of shareholders and management while "public sector unions push against the interests of taxpayers". He also wrote that private sector union members "know that their employers could go out of business, so they have an incentive to mitigate their demands; public sector union members work for state monopolies and have no such interest."{{cite web|url=http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2011/02/23/government_unions_have_not_benefited_the_public_108984.html |title=Government Unions Have Not Benefited the Public |publisher=RealClearPolitics |date=February 23, 2011 |access-date=2011-02-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110226042503/http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2011/02/23/government_unions_have_not_benefited_the_public_108984.html |archive-date=February 26, 2011 |url-status=live |df=mdy}}

The protests and the recall were the subject of the 2013 documentary Citizen Koch.{{cite AV media |title=Citizen Koch |people=Lessin, Tia and Deal, Carl |date=2013 |medium=Motion picture}}

Indiana Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey Cox was fired after suggesting that Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker use live ammunition against pro-union protesters involved in the 2011 Wisconsin protests. Later, a Deputy Prosecutor in Johnson County, Indiana, Carlos Lam, suggested that Governor Walker should mount a "false flag" operation that would make it appear as if the union was committing violence. After initially claiming that his email account was hacked, Lam admitted to making the suggestion and resigned. Cullen Werwie, press secretary for Governor Walker, stated that Walker's office was unaware of Lam's email.

CBS News reported that Werwie commented, "Certainly we do not support the actions suggested in (the) email. Governor Walker has said time and again that the protesters have every right to have their voice heard, and for the most part the protests have been peaceful. We are hopeful that the tradition will continue."{{cite magazine|first=Debra Cassens|last=Weiss|title=A Second Indiana Prosecutor Is Out of a Job for Unusual Advice to Wisconsin Governor|magazine=ABA Journal|date=March 25, 2011|url=http://www.abajournal.com/news/article/a_second_indiana_prosecutor_is_out_of_a_job_for_unusual_advice_to_wisconsin|access-date=April 15, 2011}}{{cite web|first=Brian|last=Montopoli|title=Indiana prosecutor resigns for encouraging fake attack on Wisconsin governor|publisher=CBS News|date=March 25, 2011|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/indiana-prosecutor-resigns-for-encouraging-fake-attack-on-wisconsin-governor/|access-date=2025-05-14}}

The Mackinac Center for Public Policy, a conservative research group in Michigan, issued a public records request to the labor studies departments at three public universities in the state, seeking any e-mails involving the Wisconsin labor protests. The request asked the three universities' labor studies faculty members for any e-mails mentioning "Scott Walker", "Madison", "Wisconsin" or "Rachel Maddow". Greg Scholtz, the director of academic freedom for the American Association of University Professors, said: "We think all this will have a chilling effect on academic freedom. We've never seen Freedom of Information Act requests used like this before."{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/30/education/30professors.html?_r=3|title=Conservative Group Seeks E-Mails by Labor Studies Professors in Michigan|date=March 29, 2011|access-date=2011-04-03|work=The New York Times|first=Steven|last=Greenhouse}}

{{Portal bar|Organized labor|Politics}}

• 2010–2011 Greek protests
• 2011 anti-cuts protest in London
• 2011 Rome demonstration
• Occupy Wall Street
• Ohio Senate Bill 5 Voter Referendum, Issue 2 (2011)
• Overpass Light Brigade
• Use of social media in the Wisconsin protests

• Uprising: How Wisconsin Renewed the Politics of Protest, from Madison to Wall Street. By John Nichols. New York: Nation Books, c2012. {{ISBN|9781568587035}}
• We Are Wisconsin: The Wisconsin Uprising in the Words of the Activists, Writers, and Everyday Wisconsinites Who Made It Happen. Edited by Erica Sagrans. Minneapolis: Tasora Books, c2011. {{ISBN|9781934690482}}
• Wisconsin Uprising: Labor Fights Back. Edited by Michael D. Yates. New York: Monthly Review Press, c2012. {{ISBN|9781583672808}}
• It Started in Wisconsin. Edited by Mari Jo Buhle and Paul Buhle. New York: Verso, 2011. {{ISBN|9781844678884}}
• Cut from Plain Cloth: The 2011 Wisconsin Workers Protests. By Dennis Weidemann. Fitchburg, Wis.: Berens House, c2012. {{ISBN|9780979685217}}
• Inside, At Night: Origins of an Uprising. By Brent Nicastro, et al. Madison: Tamarack Studio & Gallery, 2012. {{ISBN|9780000102249}}
• The Lessons of Wisconsin: The Way Forward in the Fight Against Austerity. Edited by the Socialist Equality Party. Oak Park, MI: Socialist Equality Party, 2012.
• The Battle of Wisconsin: History and Lessons from the Working-Class Revolt of 2011. By George Martin Fell Brown. New York: Socialist Alternative, 2012.
• More than They Bargained for: Scott Walker, Unions, and the Fight for Wisconsin. By Jason Stein and Patrick Marley. Madison: The University of Wisconsin Press, 2013. {{ISBN|9780299293840}}
• A View from the Interior: Policing the Protests at the Wisconsin State Capitol. By Susan Riseling. Milwaukee: HenschelHAUS Publishing, 2013. {{ISBN|9781595982551}}
• Unintimidated: Wisconsin Sings Truth to Power. Edited by Nicole Desautels, et al. La Pointe, Wisconsin: Mad Island Communications, c2013. {{ISBN|9780991010905}}
• Signs of Protest, Madison, Wisconsin – 2011–2012. Madison, Wisconsin: The Center for Photography at Madison, c2012. {{ISBN|9781467546874}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

• [http://www.politifact.com/wisconsin/ PolitiFact Wisconsin]
• [http://host.madison.com/ct/ Gov. Walker's budget and protests] collected coverage at The Cap Times
• [http://host.madison.com/search/?sForm=false&sHeading=Budget+repair+bill&s=start_time&sd=desc&k%5B0%5D=%22scott+walker+budget%22&f=htm&app%5B0%5D=editorial&o=0 Budget repair bill] collected coverage at Capital Newspapers
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20110218181046/http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/ Budget Battle] collected coverage at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
• [http://gab.wi.gov/elections-voting/recall Recall Election Information] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727040224/http://gab.wi.gov/elections-voting/recall |date=July 27, 2011 }}, from the State of Wisconsin Government Accountability Board, includes dates of recall committee registrations
• [http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/117312973.html Recall politics: Which state senators are vulnerable based on district makeup], Craig Gilbert, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, March 3, 2011
• [http://www.tourdeforce360.com/madison_protest/ 360 Virtual Tour: Madison Capitol Protests] Experience many of the important places and events at this immersive site, Tour de Force 360VR

{{DEFAULTSORT:2011 Wisconsin Budget Protests}}

Category:Political history of Wisconsin

Wis

Budget protests

Category:Protests in Wisconsin

Category:History of labor relations in the United States

Category:Labor disputes in Wisconsin

Category:History of Madison, Wisconsin

Wisconsin

Category:Occupations (protest) in the United States