Wisconsin’s Republican governor , Scott Walker, has set off a firestorm in his home state, and it’s threatening to creep across the Midwest.

While Walker and the Republicans in Wisconsin’s legislature attempt to balance the budget by, in part, reducing or changing some benefits for public-sector employees, many of said employees have stormed the capitol. In the meantime, Democratic lawmakers have literally fled, going to Illinois to avoid having to vote on the issue. Schools have closed because teachers are calling in “sick” and showing up in Madison with picket signs.