Newly elected Republicans in state capitols launching strongest challenge to unions in decades

Republicans who swept into power in state capitols this year with promises to cut spending and bolster the business climate now usher in a new era of labor relations that could result in the largest reduction of power in decades for public employee unions. The question GOP governors and lawmakers are now facing is exactly how far they can go without possibly alienating voters they won over in the midterm elections last fall. In Wisconsin, Republican Gov. Scott Walker is going for it all — the elimination of collective bargaining rights for public employees plus sharp increases in their health...