Public employees contribute heavily to Wis. Dems

MILWAUKEE — The 14 state Democratic senators who fled to Illinois to delay a vote on anti-union legislation rely on public sector employees and their unions for key campaign contributions.

A Journal Sentinel analysis of campaign records shows $1 out of every $5 raised by the Democratic senators in the past two election cycles came from public employees, including teachers and firefighters.

Gov. Scott Walker's budget repair bill would end automatic payroll deductions for union dues and would allow public employees to opt out of the union. The bill's critics say that would mean fewer union dollars for Democrats.

Wisconsin Democracy Campaign records show the 14 Democrats have raised $1.9 million since 2007. Public employee unions and government workers contributed at least $344,000 of that total. It could be more. Candidates don't have to identify occupations for those contributing $100 or less.