While acknowledging that he said earlier this year that he thought that right-to-work legislation would take away from other initiatives he is proposing in his two-year budget, Walker said he now thinks the timing is right.

Walker said lawmakers won't finish work on the budget until late May, which gives them time now to devote the legislation that would make union membership voluntary.

"Timing-wise, it's actually a pretty good time," Walker said at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Milwaukee....

"I think it will have a positive impact, along with a whole series of other things," he said.