WBRZ - Baton Rouge

MADISON, Wis. - Wisconsin lawmakers are again debating their governor's plan to strip nearly all collective bargaining rights from public workers ahead of a vote that's expected to pass the measure.

The state Assembly convened Thursday afternoon after being delayed by protests that prompted a temporary lockdown and security sweep.

Republicans who control the Assembly are expected to win easy approval of Gov. Scott Walker's explosive proposal and are standing by his assertion it's needed to balance the budget. Democrats insist the measure is little more than a political power play aimed at weakening unions.

The Assembly debate comes after Wisconsin Senate Republicans outmaneuvered their missing Democratic colleagues late Wednesday. They used a simple procedural move that allowed them to pass the proposal out of their chamber without any Democrats present.