SECTION 7. Each house shall be the judge of the elections, returns and qualifications of its own members; and a majority of each shall constitute a quorum to do business, but a smaller number may adjourn from day to day, and may compel the attendance of absent members in such manner and under such penalties as each house may provide.There are 19 Rs and 14 Ds. Where do they get that they need twenty state senators (60%) for a quorum?
According to others who have posted that live in Wisconsin, to pass fiscal bills there is a separate 3/5 quorum requirement. However...read further in section 7 and a majority quorum is all that is necessary for the Wisconsin House to set penalties for absent members. And they aren’t restricted in what those penalties might be...how about forfeiture of the seat after a certain period and a heavy monetary fine? Then direct the Governor to appoint replacements until an election is held. Problem solved and the yellow Rats sit there in Illinois like idiots.
That's an interesting question. Perhaps it's a separate set of "Senate rules", agreed to by the Senate?
The Texas Senate has a long-standing rule that requires the approval of 2/3rds of Senators to bring legislation to the floor. As far as I know, it's not in the Constitution, but the rule has been renewed every legislative session.
If it's just parliamentary procedure, then maybe the procedure can be changed with a simple majority vote?
Senate Rule 15. Roll call, quorum. Before proceeding to business, the roll of the members shall be called, and the names of those present and those absent shall be entered on the journal. A member present during any part of a roll call day shall be included in the official attendance roll call for that day. A majority of the membership presently serving must be present to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business; a smaller number, however, can adjourn and may compel the attendance of absent members. When a roll call discloses the lack of a quorum, further business may not be conducted until a quorum is obtained, but the members present may take measures to procure a quorum or may adjourn."
Can't be a quorum issue, unless there are only 16 Republican votes. However, I've read that Walker has the votes.
“and may compel the attendance of absent members in such manner and under such penalties as each house may provide.”
They should issue arrest warrants...
Simple math. Sixty percent of 33 is 19.8 or 20.
SECTION 7. Each house shall be the judge of the elections, returns and qualifications of its own members; and a majority of each shall constitute a quorum to do business, but a smaller number may adjourn from day to day, and may compel the attendance of absent members in such manner and under such penalties as each house may provide.
How about levying a $10,000 a day fine for each member?
Most likely by Senate Rule. Just like the filbuster isn’t a constiutional requirement.
I heard the Senate rules require that at least one member of the opposite party must be present.