Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, voicing his frustration with AWOL Democrats, was preparing to send layoff notices to 1,500 state workers as the stalemate over his union-busting budget bill continued. –JCL

Reuters:

The threat of layoffs increased the stakes in a bitter battle between Wisconsin Republicans and Democrats, a fight being watched around the nation as other states like Ohio and Indiana weigh rolling back public employee union power as part of budget-cutting efforts.

Republican Walker told reporters late on Thursday that “extremist elements” among 14 absent senate Democrats had blocked progress in negotiations on his “budget repair bill.”

“Just when we think the process is moving forward, we see no action,” Walker said. “We’re frustrated.”

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