MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker says he will start issuing layoff notices to state workers on Friday if his bill calling for them to pay more for their benefits and taking away collective bargaining rights isn't passed by then.
Walker said during an interview Thursday with The Associated Press that he has to start this week so the state can achieve savings he envisioned under the bill starting in April. The layoffs wouldn't take effect for 31 days and they could be revoked later.
Walker says he's also negotiating with Senate Democrats to get them to return and vote on the bill. The 14 senators left town two weeks ago to avoid voting on the measure.
He says he won't concede on the collective-bargaining issue but he may on others.
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