The Hill News

Republicans are exploiting budget crises in their states to diminish collective bargaining rights, the leader of Democratic governors said Tuesday.

Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley, the chairman of the Democratic Governors Association (DGA), lashed out at Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) and other GOP governors who've sought to limit labor rights in their states.

"I'm disappointed that some governors are choosing to use this crisis to sharpen their ideological axe, and go after collective bargaining rights," O'Malley said on CNBC. "We're having to ask our unions to do more on pensions. We're having to ask everybody to sacrifice. But we're not doing it by vilifying public employees."

O'Malley's attack comes as the budget battle in Wisconsin enters another week of major protests in the state capitol. Walker has asked for airtime to address the state this evening at 7 p.m. EST, during which he'll make his latest plea to absent state Senate Demo! crats to return to Wisconsin, so state lawmakers can take up their bill.

The pitched battle in Wisconsin has proven to be a flashpoint for similar battles in other states, where other Republican governors have pushed similar bills. Ohio Gov. John Kasich (D) has faced protests in Columbus over his own labor reform proposals, and labor groups have organized "solidarity events" in a number of other states.

The issue has become increasingly political on a national level, as well, as Republicans in Washington have rallied to Walker's side, while national Democrats have expressed support for unions in Wisconsin, as well as the absent Democrats.

O'Malley's decision to weigh in suggests that the battle over public pensions and collective bargaining reforms could become a top issue in governor's races in 2012, where labor groups could spend big to help elect friendlier candidates.