The president of the Wisconsin state Senate said Tuesday there are enough votes among Republicans to pass Gov. Scott Walker's explosive plan to end collective bargaining rights for nearly all public employees.

Senate President Mike Ellis, R-Neenah, told The Associated Press that there are the 17 votes needed in the 19-member Republican caucus to pass Walker's proposal. Democrats are powerless to stop it in either the Senate or Assembly.

Opponents to the measure hoped to weaken it in the Senate, where there was a greater chance to sway moderate Republicans to ease off on the changes Walker is seeking to union rights. It was widely expected to have an easier ride in the Assembly where Republicans have a 57-38-1 edge.

But Ellis said Walker's original plan, unveiled on Thursday, had enough votes to pass as it was introduced.

"They've got the votes to pass it," Ellis said from the hallway outside his Capitol office. "We're broke and we don't want to lay off almost 20,000 people."

State Rep. Joel Kleefisch, R-Oconomowoc, said Tuesday there are the 50 votes necessary to pass it in the Assembly as well.

"There's no doubt in my mind the Assembly will pass this," Kleefisch said.