MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker said he spoke with Republicans in neighboring Iowa as they prepared to vote on a bill that would eliminate most collective bargaining rights for public workers there.
Walker’s signature achievement as governor was signing a similar bill into law in Wisconsin six years ago. Walker tweeted on Monday night that he had spoken via Skype with Iowa Republicans and offered encouragement.
Walker on Tuesday said he told the Iowa Republicans that “ultimately they’re going to face some of the same things we faced in terms of attention and potentially protests.”
Walker says he encouraged them to look at the facts about what happened in Wisconsin and “not just the hype.”
Walker spokesman Tom Evenson says Iowa Senate Republicans initiated the contact with Walker.