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Wisconsin Republicans seek to hobble Democrats in lame-duck session Wisconsin Republicans seek to hobble Democrats in lame-duck session
(about 2 months later)
In November, Democrats in Wisconsin won the governor’s mansion and the race for attorney general after closely fought elections. In December, they find themselves preparing for an unexpected but equally fierce political fight.In November, Democrats in Wisconsin won the governor’s mansion and the race for attorney general after closely fought elections. In December, they find themselves preparing for an unexpected but equally fierce political fight.
The new wave of Democrats owes a huge debt to people power | Gary YoungeThe new wave of Democrats owes a huge debt to people power | Gary Younge
Republicans controlling the state legislature are preparing an unusual lame-duck session, in which they will aim to pass measures to weaken Democratic governor-elect Tony Evers and attorney general-elect Josh Kaul before they take office next month.Republicans controlling the state legislature are preparing an unusual lame-duck session, in which they will aim to pass measures to weaken Democratic governor-elect Tony Evers and attorney general-elect Josh Kaul before they take office next month.
Bills up for public hearing and committee vote on Monday, setting the stage for legislative action on Tuesday, would move the 2020 presidential primary in order to help a conservative state supreme court justice; restrict early voting in way a federal court has disallowed; and allow the legislature to sidestep Kaul in legal fights.Bills up for public hearing and committee vote on Monday, setting the stage for legislative action on Tuesday, would move the 2020 presidential primary in order to help a conservative state supreme court justice; restrict early voting in way a federal court has disallowed; and allow the legislature to sidestep Kaul in legal fights.
Republican governor and former presidential candidate Scott Walker, who will leave office on 7 January, therefore has one last chance to reshape state government.Republican governor and former presidential candidate Scott Walker, who will leave office on 7 January, therefore has one last chance to reshape state government.
There has not been a lame-duck session in Wisconsin since 2010, when Democrats tried unsuccessfully to approve union contracts before Walker took office.There has not been a lame-duck session in Wisconsin since 2010, when Democrats tried unsuccessfully to approve union contracts before Walker took office.
Evers, who beat Walker by just over 1%, told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel he would take “any steps possible” to stop the legislature, including lawsuits.Evers, who beat Walker by just over 1%, told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel he would take “any steps possible” to stop the legislature, including lawsuits.
“I view this as a repudiation of the last election,” Evers said. “I will take any steps possible to assure the people of Wisconsin that I will not invalidate those votes. And frankly, I’m encouraging citizens across the state of Wisconsin to help me in that effort.”“I view this as a repudiation of the last election,” Evers said. “I will take any steps possible to assure the people of Wisconsin that I will not invalidate those votes. And frankly, I’m encouraging citizens across the state of Wisconsin to help me in that effort.”
Republicans worked on the proposals in secret for weeks, discussing portions of their agenda only once they were leaked. They did not make the bills public until late on Friday, after scheduling a Monday hearing before the joint finance committee.Republicans worked on the proposals in secret for weeks, discussing portions of their agenda only once they were leaked. They did not make the bills public until late on Friday, after scheduling a Monday hearing before the joint finance committee.
That panel, controlled 12-4 by Republicans, planned to vote immediately. That would make the bills available for both the senate and assembly on Tuesday. Once passed, bills would head to Walker.That panel, controlled 12-4 by Republicans, planned to vote immediately. That would make the bills available for both the senate and assembly on Tuesday. Once passed, bills would head to Walker.
Last month, he voiced support for ideas including moving the 2020 presidential primary from April to March. Democratic turnout is expected to be high, so moving the vote would boost the prospects of Dan Kelly, a conservative state supreme court justice up for election in April.Last month, he voiced support for ideas including moving the 2020 presidential primary from April to March. Democratic turnout is expected to be high, so moving the vote would boost the prospects of Dan Kelly, a conservative state supreme court justice up for election in April.
The bill would create three elections in three months: a February state primary, a March presidential primary and an April state general election. Sixty of the state’s 72 county election clerks have come out against it, saying it is impossible to administer so many contests in such a short period and would cost about $7m.The bill would create three elections in three months: a February state primary, a March presidential primary and an April state general election. Sixty of the state’s 72 county election clerks have come out against it, saying it is impossible to administer so many contests in such a short period and would cost about $7m.
The legislation also would limit in-person early voting to a two-week window. Similar limitations were found unconstitutional by a federal judge in 2016. Democrats have threatened legal action again.The legislation also would limit in-person early voting to a two-week window. Similar limitations were found unconstitutional by a federal judge in 2016. Democrats have threatened legal action again.
Other bills scheduled for the lame-duck session would:Other bills scheduled for the lame-duck session would:
Allow Republican leaders to intervene in court cases and hire their own attorneys when state laws are challenged, replacing the attorney general.Allow Republican leaders to intervene in court cases and hire their own attorneys when state laws are challenged, replacing the attorney general.
Switch who can approve withdrawing from lawsuits from the governor to the budget committee, a move that would stop Evers ordering Kaul to remove Wisconsin from a lawsuit challenging the federal Affordable Care Act.Switch who can approve withdrawing from lawsuits from the governor to the budget committee, a move that would stop Evers ordering Kaul to remove Wisconsin from a lawsuit challenging the federal Affordable Care Act.
Ensure Evers cannot control the private-public agency in charge of job creation.Ensure Evers cannot control the private-public agency in charge of job creation.
Require health officials to implement a federal waiver allowing Wisconsin to require childless adults to work in order to receive health insurance, and stop Evers seeking to withdraw the waiver.Require health officials to implement a federal waiver allowing Wisconsin to require childless adults to work in order to receive health insurance, and stop Evers seeking to withdraw the waiver.
Require Evers to get permission from the legislature before banning guns in the capitol.Require Evers to get permission from the legislature before banning guns in the capitol.
Make it harder for Evers to enact administrative rules that implement state laws.Make it harder for Evers to enact administrative rules that implement state laws.
Allow Republican leaders to intervene in court cases and hire their own attorneys when state laws are challenged, replacing the attorney general.Allow Republican leaders to intervene in court cases and hire their own attorneys when state laws are challenged, replacing the attorney general.
Switch who can approve withdrawing from lawsuits from the governor to the budget committee, a move that would stop Evers ordering Kaul to remove Wisconsin from a lawsuit challenging the federal Affordable Care Act.Switch who can approve withdrawing from lawsuits from the governor to the budget committee, a move that would stop Evers ordering Kaul to remove Wisconsin from a lawsuit challenging the federal Affordable Care Act.
Ensure Evers cannot control the private-public agency in charge of job creation.Ensure Evers cannot control the private-public agency in charge of job creation.
Require health officials to implement a federal waiver allowing Wisconsin to require childless adults to work in order to receive health insurance, and stop Evers seeking to withdraw the waiver.Require health officials to implement a federal waiver allowing Wisconsin to require childless adults to work in order to receive health insurance, and stop Evers seeking to withdraw the waiver.
Require Evers to get permission from the legislature before banning guns in the capitol.Require Evers to get permission from the legislature before banning guns in the capitol.
Make it harder for Evers to enact administrative rules that implement state laws.Make it harder for Evers to enact administrative rules that implement state laws.
WisconsinWisconsin
US midterms 2018US midterms 2018
RepublicansRepublicans
DemocratsDemocrats
US politicsUS politics
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