Senate orders arrest of missing Democrats #StateSOS #WIunion #SolidarityWI

Senate orders arrest of missing Democrats

Senate orders arrest of missing Democrats

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State Journal staff | (112) Comments | Posted: Thursday, March 3, 2011 12:30 pm

Wisconsin Senate majority leader Scott Fitzgerald listens during a special session of the Senate in this January file photo.MIKE DeVRIES — The Capital Times archives

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The Wisconsin Senate passed a resolution Thursday ordering the arrest of the 14 Democratic senators who left the state two weeks ago to avoid a vote on Gov. Scott Walker's controversial budget repair bill.

It's unclear whether the move to force the senators back to the Capitol is constitutional. The state Constitution prohibits the arrest of legislators while in session unless they're suspected of committing felonies, treason or breach of the peace.

James Troupis, a private attorney hired by Fitzgerald, contended Thursday that the move is legal. He cited a portion of the state Constitution that provides that each house "may compel the