(Courtesy of Creative Commons)

"The measure is really about reform," Walker said on Thursday. "It is about giving local governments and state government the reforms they need to make government work better. It ultimately allows us the tools on state and local levels to balance our budgets, not just now but into the future."

Dozens of protesters who had gathered inside the Capitol building while they attempted to block the Assembly from a vote were forcibly removed by police.

The Huffington Post reported: "At least 100 protesters packed the hallway, pounding drums, while the Democratic representatives gathered in front of the doors, which were opened just before 11:30 a.m. At least 50 protesters were carried out by police, and the building was locked down briefly while officers did a security review."

The state Senate passed the bill on Wednesday using a procedural technique to get around the intentional absence of all 14 Senate Democrats, who fled the state in order to avoid a vote on the measure.

CNN reported: "Senate Republicans, before passing the measure yesterday, stripped the bill of appropriations so that they could vote for the bill without a certain quorum. This way, they could vote without the presence of the 14 Democrats who fled the state."

Assembly Democrats argued that the move by the Senate to pass the bill was illegal because it addresses fiscal matters.

Mother Jones reported that the bill also contained a provision that would allow the state to fire workers who walk out or strike.

The measure next heads to Gov. Scott Walker's desk to be signed.