RACINE — Today, Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) and the Wisconsin State Assembly Republican Caucus jammed through Assembly Resolutions 12 and 13, a grab-bag of rule changes drastically limiting the Minority’s power, combined with watered-down disability accommodations for Rep. Jimmy Anderson (D-Fitchburg).
Under these new rules, the Assembly could make unlimited attempts to override Governor Tony Evers’ vetoes, while current law only allows one attempt. The rules also include measures to prevent the Democratic minority from caucusing when surprise bills and amendments are introduced on the Assembly floor, to allow the Majority to limit debate time, and allow the Majority to convene a floor session to vote on bills even if a number of lawmakers are absent.
Rep. Greta Neubauer (D-Racine) released the following statement in response:
“It is disappointing, but not surprising, that the Speaker would pass on the chance to do the right thing for the right reasons. The effort to tie accommodations for Rep. Anderson to rule changes that silence the minority and undermine the governor is an insult to every single voter. It means that voters aren’t represented equally in the legislature, because some representatives are allowed less of a voice,” Neubauer said.
“Disability accommodations should never be a political process,” Neubauer continued, “and changing the rules in the Assembly to water down the Governor’s veto and silence the minority — these changes undermine our democracy and each person’s right to equal representation in Wisconsin, regardless of party or ability.”
