In order to move the state forward, I applaud the legislature's action today to stand up to the status quo and take a step in the right direction to balance the budget and reform government.

Governor Scott Walker has issued a statement on tonight's successful stripping of collective bargaining rights for public employees by his Republican Senate:

Really, Gov. Walker? If this new bill removed all fiscal elements so it could be crammed through, how can it be a move to balance the budget?

Meanwhile, thousands of protesters have stormed the Capitol:

Thousands of protesters rushed to the state Capitol Wednesday night as word spread of the hastily called votes that sent Gov. Scott Walker's controversial bill limiting collective bargaining rights for public workers speeding through the Legislature. Shortly after 8, hundreds of protesters chanted outside the locked King Street entrance to the Capitol, "Break down the door!" and "General strike!"

Moments later, police ceded control of the State Street doors and allowed the crowd to surge inside. It's not clear why police abandoned the doors, but Department of Administration spokesman Tim Donovan said "windows have been broken" to get in. He said he could not immediately provide specifics.

Bear in mind that the Department of Administration is the same one that made up the bogus $7.5 million in damages from earlier protests.

Update: What a shock:

Update: You can watch livestream from the Capitol here. This may get ugly.