Politics / Wisconsin Can Moderate Republicans End Wisconsin Stalemate? Proposal calls for collective bargaining to be cut, but only for two years By Evann Gastaldo, Newser Staff Posted Feb 21, 2011 9:21 AM CST Copied Protesters gather down State Street in Madison, Wis. after a a rally outside the Wisconsin State Capitol on Saturday, Feb. 19, 2011. (AP Photo/Wisconsin State Journal, Steve Apps) Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker is determined not to budge on his controversial budget bill and Democratic senators are determined not to return to the state until he does, but a group of moderate Republican senators has proposed a compromise that could end the stalemate. Written by Dale Schultz, who is known for his ability to work across party lines, the proposal still calls for most collective bargaining rights to be cut—but then reinstated in 2013. "Dale is committed to find a way to preserve collective bargaining in the future," his chief of staff tells the Wall Street Journal. story continues belowBusy Night? READY MADE MEALS In Minutes!Tasty Meals, No Time Wasted: HelloFresh’s READY MADE MEALS Make Mealtime Easy!HelloFreshGet OfferUndo"BlazePod Helped My Athlete React Faster and Play Smarter!"BlazePod is a smart training platform that uses flashing lights to help young athletes improve their coordination, agility, and reaction timeBlazePodShop NowUndoPeople in Columbus are Loving Martha Stewart's Meal KitMartha Stewart & Marley Spoon Undo But Democrats have already asked for their own compromise—unions would submit to the financial sacrifices and benefit cuts the bill contains as long as they kept their collective bargaining rights—and neither union leaders nor Democratic senators appear particularly open to Schultz’s proposal. Republicans will likely still control the state senate and assembly in 2013, meaning they could extend the provisions at that point. Another gripe, in Sen. Jon Erpenbach’s words: “Collective bargaining isn't a fiscal issue. If it's OK to collectively bargain in 2013 why isn't it OK today?” (More Wisconsin stories.) Report an error