Scott Walker Takes First Step Toward Layoffs

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker fired his first salvo in his fight with Democratic senators over his union-busting bill, sending out notices to state workers that they would be laid off a month from now if legislators do not pass his “budget repair” proposal. "If the Senate Democrats come back to Wisconsin, these notices may be able to be rescinded and layoffs avoided," said a statement from Walker's office. While the 14 Democratic senators who fled to Illinois to block a vote on the bill say they have no plans to return, they also seem to have given up hope of forcing Walker to compromise. Activists are opening a new front in the fight, however, targeting legislators for recall. Liberal committees, with organizations like MoveOn.org and the Service Employees International Union raising money and gathering signatures, have registered to target eight Republicans for recall, while conservative groups have registered to target six Democratic senators.