Democratic leader calls for budget bill compromise

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin Senate Democrats on the run in Illinois are calling on Republican Gov. Scott Walker to resume talks with them to compromise on a collective bargaining bill.

Democratic Minority Leader Mark Miller sent Walker and the GOP leaders of the Senate and Assembly a letter Wednesday accusing the governor of keeping the lines of communication closed even though possible deals are available.

Democratic Sens. Bob Jauch and Tim Cullen had been working with Walker’s administration on a possible deal as recently as Sunday. Jauch said Walker should be willing to compromise instead of forcing Senate Republicans to “run through a gauntlet” and vote for the original bill that takes away most collective bargaining rights from public workers.

Walker spokesman Cullen Werwie said the lines of communication remain open.