The Republican State Senators in Wisconsin who listened to Governor Scott Walker and stripped most public employees of their bargaining rights earlier this year are desperately trying to pass more right-wing legislation before next month’s recall elections. The successful petition for elections in 9 districts–mainly the result of a re-energized labor movement and sinking Republican approval ratings–means that they could lose their majority much, much sooner than expected.

According to The New York Times, they’ve dealt with the threat of political death by doling out goodies to the conservative base. They successfully deregulated the telecom industry and forced voters to bring ID to the polls. Up next: Slashing funds for Planned Parenthood, restricting immigrants in state universities, and making it easier to tote around a concealed gun. [NYT]