Wisconsin: 25th Right to Work State?

Chris Kapenga, of Delafield, Wisconsin, is set to introduce a Right to Work when the legislature convenes in January.
Todd Richmond has the story on Fox News.

A Republican lawmaker promised Tuesday to introduce a right-to-work bill, prompting warnings from a Democratic leader that the state could see a round of protests reminiscent of the massive demonstrations against Gov. Scott Walker’s law stripping public workers of their union rights.

The new two-year legislative session begins in January. Kapenga wasn’t sure when he would bring the bill forward, saying he needs to talk to the Assembly Republican caucus and make the case for the measure. He said Speaker Robin Vos, R-Burlington, supports the concept.

A Vos spokeswoman had no immediate comment Tuesday evening. Vos said in July he didn’t intend to pursue the issue in 2015 but on Monday issued a statement saying he looked forward to discussing the benefits of becoming a right-to-work state. A spokeswoman for Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, R-Juneau, had no comment Tuesday. Fitzgerald said Monday that he was open to the idea.

Kapenga’s announcement comes a day after conservative activist Lorri Pickens said she had formed a group to push right-to-work legislation. The news release announcing the group’s formation said the organization wants to advance freedom in the workplace.

A spokeswoman for the Wisconsin AFL-CIO didn’t immediately return messages Tuesday evening. The union put out a statement Monday responding to Pickens saying right-to-work amounts to an attempt by corporations to drive down wages and “erode†the middle class.