Brewed Fresh Daily

UPDATE: The measure has passed the State Assembly

Wisconsin has already seen its share of drama over collective bargaining rights for public employees. But the situation has become even more heightened, due to an unexpected move by Wisconsin Republicans.

In Wisconsin, a very public battle is raging over the collective bargaining rights of public sector workers. So what's next for the private sector?

On Thursday, the Wisconsin state assembly approved a revised version of legislation that cleared the state senate late Wednesday. It removes collective bargaining rights for most public employees. Gov. Scott Walker has pledged to sign the bill as soon as possible. The assembly’s action began after protesters were removed from the capitol building.

Republican senators took what had been a budget bill and stripped it of the fiscal elements that required a quorum for a vote. That meant the bill could pass without the presence of Democratic senators, who left the state for Illinois to avoid a vote on the original measure.

Listen to live coverage from our friends at Wisconsin Public Radio here.

Now, the bill only contains provisions that will strip public employees from most of their bargaining rights. It looks certain to pass, much to the anger of protesters who have descended on the state capitol in Madison.

There are questions over whether the measure will stand up to court scrutiny, as well as whether the senators’ action was legal.

What do you think of the Republican tactics? Do you think other states will take similar steps?