MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Republican Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald says Gov. Scott Walker is not telling him that debating a right-to-work bill would be a distraction.

Walker has said that he doesn’t want the Legislature taking up the issue. The governor also said he’s told legislative leaders that privately as well.

But Fitzgerald told reporters Monday that Walker has never told him he believes right-to-work should be avoided.

Fitzgerald said he still thinks the issue should be debated early in the session, but he hasn’t counted votes to see if there’s enough support to pass it.

Under a right-to-work law private-sector workers could not be forced to join a union or pay dues.

Fitzgerald said such a law could help Wisconsin’s economy, while opponents say it would hurt workers and businesses.