Madison - State Sen. Jon Erpenbach (D-Middleton) issued a statement on Saturday saying that he had been told that all state and local public employees, including teachers, have agreed to the financial aspects of Gov. Scott Walker's budget-repair bill.

"This includes Walker's requested concession on public employee health care and pension," Erpenbach's statement said. "In return, they ask only that the provisions that deny their right to collectively bargain are removed. This will solve the budget challenge."

Christina Brey, a spokeswoman for the Wisconsin Education Association Council, confirmed that her organization of state teachers had agreed to the financial aspects of Walker's request.

Erpenbach's statement could not be immediately verified. Moreover, there has been no word from Walker's office whether the governor has heard of the claim.