PHOENIX -- To the irritation of minority Democrats, the Republican-led Arizona Senate is on record as supporting Wisconsin's Republican governor in his fiscal belt-tightening efforts that include restricting collective bargaining for public employees.
The Senate voted along party lines Thursday for a resolution co-sponsored by all 61 Republican senators and representatives. That sends the measure to the Arizona House.
Republican Sen. Sylvia Allen of Snowflake says Arizona lawmakers want to show support for Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker's efforts to tackle his state's budget shortfall because that's a challenge that Arizona also faces.
Democrats say the resolution wastes time and money because Republicans have already sent a letter to Wisconsin in support of Walker. And they say commenting on Wisconsin's situation does not address Arizona's own problems.
Earlier this week, the city council of Los Angeles, Calif., adopted a resolution supporting workers' rights to collective bargaining.
