Wisconsin State Capitol (rbw)

After a Dane County Court ruled that the State was violating a prior ruling to allow protesters into the State Capitol, the scene at the Capitol was quiet once protesters left peacefully in accordance with the part of the ruling that prohibits nighttime sleepovers in the building. However, the cynical action by the Governor was not finished. Members of the Walker Administration claimed that it may take as much as $7 million to repair the damage done during the 2-week sleepover in the building. Though when pressed by the media, the Walker Administration was forced to backtrack, indicating that there was no damage to the building and all that was necessary was a through cleaning, including removing signs taped to the marble interior.

That was not all. The police presence at the State Capitol remains strong, though many officers are working during the day, only to join the protests after their shifts are complete. Democratic Assemblyman Nick Milroy of South Range was tackled to the ground when he tried to enter his office to get his coat. Video of the incident can be seen on WISN.

Because of the lockdown earlier this week, Democratic Legislators moved their desks outside so that they could meet with their constituents. Republicans did not apparently want to meet their constituents, in contrast, because they kept their desks inside during the lockdown. The Dems have kept their desks outside, even after visitors could enter the Capitol again.

After .22 caliber bullets were found in several locations around the State Capitol Thursday, visitors to the Capitol were screened heavily for weapons. Because of the incredibly peaceful nature of the protests so far and because Governor Walker has already admitted to considering to bring thugs in to create trouble, the discovery of the bullets has prompted Wisconsin ex-Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager to say:

“For all we know somebody planted them there — we don’t know if it was a protester.”

Thanks to the 14 Democratic Senators who are still in Illinois on their own dime, under the threat of an unconstitutional arrest, more details of the Koch-supported Budget “Repair” bill are coming to light. The ramifications are profound, including a $1billion cut to education across the state, the budget could end interlibrary book loans, it would force local referendums in order to maintain services, and strip collective bargaining rights for union employees, as well as end their subsidized child care. In a nod to the insurance companies that backed his campaign financially, the bill would also gut the self-supporting Wisconsin State Insurance Fund. This is a crystal clear example of companies giving candidates contributions for political services.

It would not be the only corruption on the part of Scott Walker. The Milwaukee Magazine has outlined cronyism and corruption that occurred in the Milwaukee County pension system under Walker’s watch. He has violated a Dane County judge by refusing entry for demonstrators into the Capitol. He has apparently lied to the press, who are now suing, over the notion that he had received a large number of emails in favor of his budget proposal. He likely broke the law when he mentioned that he had considered sending thugs to create trouble to discredit the protests and he is clearly in the pocket of the Koch brothers, given his friendly relationship with them, and he has been threatening state workers with pink slips if he does not get his way, a form of political coercion. In addition to all of that, Walker likely broke state labor laws by refusing to negotiate with the unions. Laura Flanders discussed these legal issues with Lautenschlager.

With his legal exposure, the story gets worse for Walker. Recall efforts are underway for 8 Republican Senators and they are going swimmingly. The recall of three senators gives the Democrats a majority and the recall of all 8 gives them a 2/3 majority, which they could use to bring about impeachment hearings. Scott Walker’s window to pass his budget is closing and he knows it: Some Republicans may even break with the party if it comes up for a vote.

So do the mainstream media William Rivers Pitt discusses why the mainstream media has not been reporting the huge crowds in Madison, preferring to discuss Charlie Sheen instead. In short, he says “I think they’re scared.” More on media coverage later!