MADISON, Wis. -- About 50 people gathered at the state Capitol Thursday to hold a "People's Legislature," a mock legislature that denounced the real Legislature's lack of action on key issues they want to see passed on the floor.

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The group demanded that both houses of the Legislature stay in session and continue work on issues like a compact to protect the Great Lakes, comprehensive treatment coverage for autistic children, a statewide smoking ban and campaign finance reform.

Democracy Campaign director Mike McCabe said this lawmaker session "has been an embarrassment to the people of Wisconsin. This Legislature is an embarrassment to Wisconsin."

McCabe told the group Thursday morning that the Legislature "is in gridlock by design" and that the session has reached "a choreographed stalemate." He said the Assembly met only 18 days in 2007, yet campaign fundraisers were held every other day.

McCabe said "bottom line" is for the People's Legislature to send a "clear message to both leaders of both houses that there is still work to do."

The Republican-led Assembly went home early Thursday morning after passing a budget repair bill but failing to vote on any key issues that have been circulating this year.

The Democrat-led Senate is working on its own version of a bill meant to close a more than $500 million budget gap.