Direct From Wisconsin....

Things are continuing to HOP here in Green Bay. We had a kickass rally yesterday in GB, about 2000 people showed up to the Courthouse. The weather has been phenomenally cooperative, warm (in the high 30s/low 40s, amazing for February!) a little damp today, but practically a heat wave. Below is my colleague Peg's report from Madison. The bill was passed out of committee despite people testifying until 3 a.m. Tuesday/Wednesday. The vote is supposed to be today and the Rs still say they have enough votes to pass it. Deb

Sisters and Brothers,

Today's rally was nearly double the size yesterday's. Historic- in a town known for capitol protests. Twenty to thirty thousand gathered at the Capitol to protest this union busting bill. Look at the Badger Herald and Madison.com for some great photos.

With Madison Schools closed today, many children came to the rally. Some with their parents. Some in groups with their teachers. I am told a group of grade school kids were chanting "What's disgusting? Union Busting!" Parents support the teacher walk out. Many are commenting, "what a great civics lesson."

I saw two children who, while waiting with their parents for the bus home at our staging area, were making little snowball-sized snow men. Lots of them. I asked what all those snowmen were up to, the boy said, "protesting."

Madison schools are closed again tomorrow. Tonight, Wisconsin's largest teacher's union (70,000) WEAC called for all members to come to Madison, tomorrow. Area TV stations are scrolling school closings as if it were a snow day tomorrow.

Tonight the Joint Finance Committee voted the union busting bill out of committee. It is expected to be voted on in the senate tomorrow where we need three Republican senators to break way to defeat the bill -passage by the Republican dominated house is assured. So, we will likely know tomorrow if this bill becomes law.