"Then, the sergeant at arms seized his half-eaten candy bar and box of Tater Tots because no food is allowed in the chambers"

Lawmaker Says He Had A Rough First Night In Assembly Chamber
Representative Protests Budget Impasse


MADISON, Wis. -- State Rep. Tom Nelson said that he had a rough first night in the Assembly chamber.

The Democrat from Kaukauna started a sit-in at his desk on Thursday morning and has vowed that he will stay there until the Assembly and Senate pass the overdue state budget.

Nelson said that the air mattress that he was sleeping on ran out of air. Then, two strangers sneaked into the chamber and woke him up at 2 a.m., took a picture and told him to pass a budget.

Things didn't get much better on Friday morning. Nelson said that he had to take a cold shower in the state Capitol basement because there was no hot water.

Then, the sergeant at arms seized his half-eaten candy bar and box of Tater Tots because no food is allowed in the chambers. His request for a phone at his desk was rejected.

Despite the setbacks, Nelson said that he's hanging in there and is energized by the positive response he's gotten from the public.

Democrats and Republicans have been deadlocked over taxes and spending far beyond the July first budget deadline. The budget is about 15 weeks late.

More:
"We want less taxes and lower spending, and as long as we can try to arrive at that point we will be able to bring Republican votes and Democrat votes to pass a bipartisan budget," said Assembly Speaker Mike Huebsch, R-West Salem."

Giving up the tator tots and candy bar must of been tough. He must really
want to raise my taxes.