Still, for a time last week, there were signs that a compromise might be possible, according to some Democrats involved in the discussions. Scott Fitzgerald, the Republican majority leader in the senate, met with several of the Democrats in Kenosha early in the week, and representatives of the governor held talks with the Democrats later in the week. But by Sunday night, the Democrats said, the talks had clearly broken down, and senate Republicans had set up a series of punishments for the Democrats: they may be arrested if the police spot them in Wisconsin; they may soon be fined $100 a day; and they may not receive their paychecks unless they pick them up in person.
Senator Fred Risser, one of the Democrats, said it now seemed conceivable that he and his fellow Democrats would return to Wisconsin at some point without a negotiated compromise.
“We have always said we would go back eventually,” Mr. Risser said, adding that the Democrats had yet to make any decision about when to go back to Madison, a move that would open the way for a vote on the proposal by Mr. Walker, a Republican elected in November. “We will have accomplished some of our purpose — to slow things up and let people know what was in this bill.” |
