Wisconsin Senate GOP Resumes Business

After a week of deadlock, Republicans in Wisconsin’s state senate will temporarily shelve Governor Scott Walker’s proposal to gut collective-bargaining rights for public employees and begin Tuesday considering other business: a gubernatorial appointment, a tax break for dairy farmers, a resolution hailing Super Bowl champs the Green Bay Packers. Republican senators will be able to pass legislation without opposition, so long as their Democratic counterparts remain camped out in Illinois. They may even introduce a controversial bill requiring voter identification that Democrats strongly oppose. According to senate rules, a quorum of 20 votes is needed for fiscal matters, but just 17 votes on other matters; Republicans hold 19 senate seats.