Wisconsin Democrats to End Exile

Wisconsin’s riveting game of political chicken is nearing its end: The state’s senate Democrats said Sunday they will soon return and allow a vote on a union-restricting bill they had stymied by fleeing to Illinois. Republican Governor Scott Walker would then be able to pass his “budget-repair” bill, which curbs unions’ collective-bargaining rights, through the GOP-led chamber. The fleeing senators’ stance galvanized thousands of pro-union protesters who for weeks flooded Madison’s capitol building with demonstrations, which the Democrats said will give them new leverage to seek changes to the anti-union bill. They also said the bill is so unpopular with voters that they expect it to taint Walker and his Republican majority.