UPDATE: Pasch Says 'We Will Continue to Fight' Bill

Minutes after the Republican-controlled Assembly passed a controversial bill Thursday that eliminates most collective bargaining rights of public employees, state Rep. Sandy Pasch said the fight against the measure will continue.

“We weren’t surprised at what happened, and we continue to be disappointed," the Whitefish Bay Democrat said. "They seem to have no conscience or sense of rightness is, and listening to democracy the voice of the minority. It’s been just trounced over and over again.”

Pasch said the Republicans violated Assembly rules by quickly cutting off debate and voting on the measure.

“They just ignored that, and they just rushed that vote through," she said. "We’ve heard the speaker pro tempore say that he can do whatever he wants. I find that just unmitigated arrogance."

“We will continue to fight this. We will continue to fight for working families, seniors and people with disabilities. We are not going to let this end," said Pasch, whose district includes Fox Point and Shorewood.

“We are not going to be silent on this. I am not going to stop representing my constituents.”

Prior to heading into the Assembly chambers, where lawmakers took up the bill that was passed by the Senate Wednesday, Pasch said she was disappointed with how the GOP was advancing the legislation.

“I think they are going to try to ram this through without any discussion,” said Pasch, who was elected in 2008. “I’ve never seen anything like this. I’ve only been here one session, but I have never seen anything like this.

“We thought we would have debate, we hope we can have debate, but we’ve seen what the Republicans’ ideas are regarding democracy,” she added.

She also questioned the also questioned the heavy police presence at the Capitol on Thursday.

“I certainly hope that no one gets hurt. The bottom stairway is full of riot police who have been here for a few hours and they are getting hot and uncomfortable,” she said.

Even though it was apparent that the GOP-controlled Legislature would prevail on this issue, Pasch said it will likely come back to haunt Gov. Scott Walker and his party.

“We have the most polarizing governor, and both houses of the Legislature marching lock and step with him. I can’t believe that they actually are because we know many of those Republicans were elected on narrow margins,” she said.

“The cost will be a political cost, and they’re willing to throw all of their political capital into bad egregious decisions,” Pasch added.