Senate, State Senate | featured news

Republicans held onto control of the Wisconsin Senate on Tuesday night, beating four Democratic challengers in a recall election viewed as a referendum on Republican policies in that state and beyond. The Associated Press declared Republican Sens. Alberta Darling of River Hills, Robert Cowles of Allouez, Sheila Harsdorf of River Falls and Luther Olsen of Ripon winners. The AP also declared Democratic challengers Jennifer Shilling of LaCrosse and Jessica King of Oshkosh victors.

Wisconsin's Republican Gov. Scott Walker said on Monday that absent senate Democrats have 24 hours to return and vote on a measure to reduce the power of public sector unions or the state will miss out on opportunity to refinance its debt.

A Florida state senator was caught looking at pornographic material last week in the middle of debate on the Senate floor. Sunshine State News filmed video of Republican state Sen. Mike Bennett apparently looking at an e-mail that showed four women in bikinis. The video blacks out the naughty parts, but according to the report the women had their tops exposed.

Arizona lawmakers have approved several changes to the recently passed sweeping law targeting illegal immigration.

The state Senate this afternoon approved the final bill in a package of laws to ban texting while driving, but designated that fines go to support libraries -- rather than to eliminate some driver penalties as the House wants.

Republican state Sen. Roy Ashburn said Monday he is gay, ending days of speculation that began after his arrest last week for investigation of driving under the influence.