But Democrats said poor communities would face the biggest cuts while the wealthy would see increases in aid. “This is a pattern of giving to the rich and taking from the poor,” said Sen. Lena Taylor, D-Milwaukee.

The motion on aid to municipalities passed on an 11-4 party line vote, with Republican Rep. Joel Kleefisch absent.

The meeting continued and things calmed down by the time the debate on choice schools began, but people occasionally rose to speak and were removed one by one. At points in the meeting, people were allowed inside only when others left. Dozens of protesters packed the hallway and sang songs such as “We Shall Not Be Moved,” and chanted.

Republicans, who control both houses of the Legislature, moved to expand choice schools throughout Milwaukee and into Racine but deleted Walker’s plan to remove income limits.

The committee instead voted to loosen the income requirement to participate in the voucher program. Currently, a family must earn less than 175 percent of the federal poverty level to qualify, or $39,630 for a family of four.