On February 15, 2011, tens of thousands of Wisconsin public employees, union members, students and their supporters began a protest in opposition to proposed legislation that would require state workers to make payments toward their state pension. Republican Governor Scott Walker proposed the changes because of record state budget deficits. But this could result in the elimination of collective bargaining in the state for public employee union members. The protests have continued, and the government is not backing down. We've dedicated this page to the coverage of the Wisconsin budget protests.