MADISON (AP) - Republican Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald says Gov. Scott Walker is not telling him that debating a right-to-work bill would be a distraction.
Walker has said that he doesn't want the Legislature taking up the issue. The governor also says he's told legislative leaders that privately as well.
But Fitzgerald told reporters Monday that Walker has never told him he believes right-to-work should be avoided.
Fitzgerald said he still thinks the issue should be debated early in the session, but he hasn't counted votes to see if there's enough support to pass it.
Under a right-to-work law private-sector workers could not be forced to join a union or pay dues.
Fitzgerald said such a law could help Wisconsin's economy, while opponents say it would hurt workers and businesses.
Fitzgerald also said Monday that he doesn't believe Republicans who control the Senate will vote for a gas tax increase to help pay for roads projects.
Fitzgerald said he doesn't think the votes are there for the gas tax hike as proposed by the state Department of Transportation. Raising gas taxes was part of a $751 million package of tax and fee increases proposed by the department to plug a shortfall.
Walker has not said what he would support.
But Fitzgerald said he thinks the transportation issue is the biggest question mark in the budget, which faces a $2.2 billion shortfall.
Fitzgerald said he thinks a school accountability bill will be the first one tackled by the Senate this session.
Walker has said that he doesn't want the Legislature taking up the issue. The governor also says he's told legislative leaders that privately as well.
But Fitzgerald told reporters Monday that Walker has never told him he believes right-to-work should be avoided.
Fitzgerald said he still thinks the issue should be debated early in the session, but he hasn't counted votes to see if there's enough support to pass it.
Under a right-to-work law private-sector workers could not be forced to join a union or pay dues.
Fitzgerald said such a law could help Wisconsin's economy, while opponents say it would hurt workers and businesses.
Fitzgerald also said Monday that he doesn't believe Republicans who control the Senate will vote for a gas tax increase to help pay for roads projects.
Fitzgerald said he doesn't think the votes are there for the gas tax hike as proposed by the state Department of Transportation. Raising gas taxes was part of a $751 million package of tax and fee increases proposed by the department to plug a shortfall.
Walker has not said what he would support.
But Fitzgerald said he thinks the transportation issue is the biggest question mark in the budget, which faces a $2.2 billion shortfall.
Fitzgerald said he thinks a school accountability bill will be the first one tackled by the Senate this session.