Madison , Wisconsin ( CNN ) -- A contentious political battle that brought thousands to the state Capitol drew to a close Friday as Wisconsin Gov . Scott Walker signed into law a bill that curbs the bargaining rights of most state workers . `` We were elected to make tough decisions , '' Walker told reporters , lauding his administration 's efforts to prevent employee layoffs and tax increases . `` We gave local governments the tools they need to balance their budgets . '' Republicans cleared a final hurdle to the controversial proposal Thursday , passing the bill one day after the state 's GOP-controlled Senate approved an amended version of the measure , despite the absence of 14 Democratic senators who fled the state to prevent a necessary quorum of 20 votes . The amended bill stripped the spending components out of the original proposal , enabling lawmakers to pass the measure with fewer votes . Cries of `` Shame , shame , shame ! '' filled the Capitol building after the Assembly vote . The weeks-long standoff reached a fever pitch Thursday after a spokesman for Republican Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald said the leader received two death threats that detailed the ways in which the writer claimed Fitzgerald would be killed . Demonstrators , some of whom spent nights sleeping inside the Capitol rotunda in protest , had blocked entrances to the state legislature Thursday , chanting `` Let us in '' as police struggled to keep order . Lawmakers were later able to access the building through the one open entrance . Walker consistently defended the bill , which allows the state to avoid property tax increases and public-sector layoffs while trying to balance the budget . Senate Democrats called the bill an attack on worker rights , filing a complaint with the Dane County District Attorney 's Office , claiming the Senate 's vote violated Wisconsin 's Open Meetings Law . GOP lawmakers say the bill 's passage will help Wisconsin close a $ 137 million budget shortfall with a plan that requires public workers , with the exception of police and firefighters , to cover more of their retirement plan contributions and health care premiums . Raises would be tied to the rate of inflation , unless state voters approve an exception . The legislation also requires unions to hold a new certification vote every year , and unions would no longer be allowed to collect dues from workers ' paychecks . Unions mobilized their supporters to oppose the bill , drawing tens of thousands of people to rallies opposing Walker and supporting the fugitive Democrats . By Thursday evening , at least one Democrat -- Sen. Jim Holperin -- had returned to his home state .
A bill protecting the bargaining rights of most American workers is signed into law . The signing follows weeks of debate . Some called the bill an attack on worker rights .