Mar 10, 4:02 PM EST
By SCOTT BAUER
Associated Press
MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Wisconsin lawmakers argued again Thursday over an explosive proposal to strip nearly all collective bargaining rights from the state's public workers, with Democrats offering last-ditch objections before a vote expected to approve the measure and deliver one of the strongest blows to unions in years.
Debate began in the Assembly after re-energized protests prompted a temporary lockdown and security sweep at the state Capitol, where demonstrators had flocked to try to block representatives' access to their chamber.
Once inside, Republican leaders agreed to two hours of discussion before a vote. But they made clear their intention to stand by Gov. Scott Walker's proposal and his insistence that it's necessary to plug a $137 million budget shortfall.
