Wisconsin Could Be Right-To-Work In A Matter Of Days

It’s been more than two decades since Gov. Scott Walker (R) first pushed right-to-work legislation as a state lawmaker in Wisconsin. Now, all these years later, the famously anti-union governor may finally be getting his wish — whether he likes it or not.

On Tuesday, the Wisconsin state Senate is slated to take up a right-to-work bill in what’s known as an extraordinary legislative session. With less deliberation than normal, the GOP-controlled chamber could pass the bill this week. The measure would then move on to the state’s assembly, also controlled by Republicans, which would presumably take it up in early March.

Barring a fortuitous turn of events for organized labor, the anti-union measure could reach the governor’s desk next month.

So why wouldn’t Walker, who apparently has his eye on the 2016 Republican presidential nomination, heartily embrace legislation that’s bound to please his base and diminish an already weakened labor movement in the state?

Patrick Guarasci, a Democratic strategist in Wisconsin, said that Walker’s history with right-to-work has parallels to the Giuliani situation. In a gubernatorial debate with Tom Barrett (D) in 2012, Walker dodged the question when asked whether he would ever sign right-to-work legislation. He said repeatedly that it would never reach his desk. Now it very well might.

Despite his iron fist with public-sector unions, and despite his White House ambitions, there are certain decisions that Walker doesn’t want to make, Guarasci argued.

“Either he was being coy or slippery, but you realize he was not being straightforward with what he would do,” Guarasci said. “You can make a strong argument that Walker doesn’t want to make the call.”

The Huffington Post