Democrats left their seats both years — fleeing the state for Illinois at one point — to try to stop the passage of controversial right to work legislation. Republicans, who controlled the House both years, fined the Democrats to try to get them back in their seats.
Ultimately, the law passed despite thunderous protests from unions and the best attempts by Democrats to hamper the process. Democrats were left only to protest their smaller paychecks.
That protest, too, fell flat in the end.
