All Around

US: Pressure mounts on absent Democrats
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703300904576178741090978496.html?mod=WSJ_WSJ_US_News_5
Republican lawmakers in Wisconsin and Indiana ratcheted up pressure on their absent Democratic colleagues Thursday, aiming to force an end to standoffs over bills that would limit public workers' bargaining rights.

Ohio

REPORT: Ohio’s Removal of Prevailing Wage Could Cost Jobs and Hurt the Local Economy
http://wepartypatriots.com/wp/2011/03/03/report-ohios-removal-of-prevailing-wage-law-could-cost-jobs-and-hurt-the-local-economy/

OH: Ohio's union bill is tougher than Wisconsin's, so where is the outrage?
http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2011/0303/Ohio-s-union-bill-is-tougher-than-Wisconsin-s-so-where-is-the-outrage
In passing a bill this week to limit collective-bargaining rights by public-union members, the Ohio Senate accomplished in just days what Wisconsin lawmakers are still debating during a standoff that is in its third week and counting.

Ohio House readies for debate, passage of Senate Bill 5
http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2011/03/04/ohio-house-readies-for-debate-passage-of-senate-bill-5.html?sid=101
House committee hearings on Senate Bill 5 will kick off next week as the GOP-controlled chamber prepares to debate and pass a sweeping collective-bargaining bill.

Collective bargaining bill hearing likely Wednesday
http://www.daytondailynews.com/news/dayton-news/collective-bargaining-bill-hearing-likely-wednesday-1097019.html
The debate, protests and hoopla involving the controversial collective bargaining bill will likely continue next week when the Ohio
House begins considering the legislation.

Shannon Jones -- The force behind SB5
http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20110303/NEWS0108/103040348/Shannon-Jones-force-behind-SB5?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|News|p
If nothing else, state Sen. Shannon Jones' central role in the acrimonious battle over a dramatic remake of Ohio's collective-bargaining law shows that she is not shy about tackling white-hot issues -- or stepping into the political spotlight.

Kasich -- Senate Bill 5 fair for workers, taxpayers
http://www.daytondailynews.com/news/dayton-news/kasich-senate-bill-5-fair-for-workers-taxpayers-1097081.html
Gov. John Kasich said the collective bargaining bill, which passed the Senate on Wednesday by a 17-16 vote, is "very fair" to workers because they'll be allowed to negotiate for wages and it gives taxpayers some balance.

Wisconsin

Senate orders arrest of missing Democrats
http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_8d9ad090-45bd-11e0-bf68-001cc4c03286.html
Senate Republicans Thursday ordered the forcible detention of their 14 Democratic colleagues, who fled the state two weeks ago to avoid a vote on Gov. Scott Walker's controversial budget repair bill.

Hiding senators held in contempt; Layoff notices to go out today
http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/117325998.html
Pressure ratcheted up on absent Senate Democrats on Thursday, as they were found in contempt by GOP senators and Gov. Scott Walker said he will start sending layoff notices to state workers Friday if the standoff over his budget-repair bill isn't resolved.


Overnight protesters leave Capitol
http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/117370363.html
With a final group hug and a rousing rendition of "Solidarity Forever," the last large group of demonstrators left the state Capitol Thursday night, hours after a judge ordered their removal.

Indiana

House Republicans to fine Democrats $250 a day for avoiding votes
http://www.indystar.com/article/20110304/NEWS05/103040347/House-GOP-Democrats-You-ll-pay-this?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|IndyStar.com
House Republicans voted Thursday to begin fining Democrats $250 a day for their absence, starting Monday.

Pressure mounts on absent Democrats
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703300904576178741090978496.html?mod=WSJ_WSJ_US_News_5
Republican lawmakers in Wisconsin and Indiana ratcheted up pressure on their absent Democratic colleagues Thursday, aiming to force an end to standoffs over bills that would limit public workers' bargaining rights.

Speaker Bosma ready to start fining missing state Democrats
http://www.courierpress.com/news/2011/mar/03/missing-democrats-to-get-hit-in-wallets/
The Republican speaker of the Indiana House said he will start fining Democrats on Monday if they do not end their walkout and return to the legislative chamber from Illinois, where they have been holed up for the past two weeks.

Michigan

Poll -- 56% favor concessions for Michigan state workers
http://www.freep.com/article/20110304/NEWS06/103040453/1008/news06/Poll-56-favor-concessions-Michigan-state-workers
Support for wringing concessions from state employees -- a key component of the budget and tax plan Gov. Rick Snyder unveiled two weeks ago -- is reasonably strong: About 56% of Michigan voters are behind it, a Free Press/WXYZ-TV (Channel 7) poll shows.

New Hampshire

Labor union discord reaches New England
http://www.stateline.org/live/details/story?contentId=556106
TODAY'S TAKE: Maine's Republican Governor Paul LePage wants public employees to work longer and pay more for their retirement benefits, igniting protests in Augusta resembling those recently seen in the Midwest.

Maine

LePage backers, unions square off at Capitol over state workers' pensions
http://new.bangordailynews.com/2011/03/03/politics/lepage-everyone-will-%E2%80%98share-the-pain%E2%80%99-of-budget-cuts-2/
Tensions between public employee unions and the LePage administration were on full display Thursday as hundreds of demonstrators converged on the capital to debate a plan to force state workers to pay more for their retirement benefits.