Friday's signing of the law by Gov. Scott Walker ends a three-week debate that brought thousands of protestors to the state Capitol building, saw $3 million spent on television ads and raised questions about the place of public employee unions as states deal with huge budget deficits.

Walker championed the signing as a victory for the tax-paying middle class. And he dismissed notions that he would consider being a 2012 vice presidential candidate.

Wisconsin is likely to endure a budget battle for the next several months as Democrats push back against Walker's many other proposals. Early next month, voters will go to the polls to elect dozens of local officials and a state Supreme Court judge. There's also recall efforts taking place to kick 16 state legislators out of office.