The only "mistake" I am worried about is whether or not they broke the rules by not waiting 24 hours like the RAT Minority Leader claimed. It would be a shame to lose this on a technicality in the courts. Of course, the RAT could just be lying through his teeth.
Anybody know for sure whether or not passing the bill in the way they did violated any procedural rules?
I agree. I heard Greta talking about just that thing. Someone not politically connected to either party that works at the capital and over sees these things, said every thing appeared to be exactly done the way WI constitution said it needed to be done.
The Wisconsin Open Meetings Act requires 24 hours notice before a public meeting (including a legislative committee meeting), unless there is “good cause” to forego such notice, or unless it is impossible or impractical to provide such notice. Frankly, given how long this has gone on, I think it is difficult to argue that there was “good cause” to schedule this meeting with so little notice, or that it was impossible/impracticable to give notice beforehand. I really don’t know why they rushed it; they would have lost nothing by waiting until tomorrow for the committee meeting (or, alternatively, giving notice yesterday for today’s meeting).
If that's involved the rules don't apply. In any case, if the legislature already had a different "rule" in place (like a "rule" for a specific bill), none of that stuff applies.
Anytime somebody tells you that a regulation or law supersedes the constitutional rules governing Congress or state legislature they are making a NULL CASE argument. The Constitution always takes precedence over laws and rules. Only members vote. Judges have no vote in the legislature.
So pass it again in 24 hours.
Sen. Fitzgerald’s Statement: “We have confirmed with the Legislative Fiscal Bureau, the Legislative Council and the Legislative Reference Bureau that every item in tonight’s bill follows the letter of the law.
“The people of Wisconsin elected us to come to Madison and do a job. Just because the Senate Democrats won’t do theirs, doesn’t mean we won’t do ours.”