Posted on 03/02/2011 3:41:12 PM PST by Libloather
Wisconsin stalemate could drag on for months
By: SCOTT BAUER 03/02/11 2:33 PM
Associated Press
Wisconsin's budget stalemate over union bargaining rights shows no sign of resolution — and it could be a long wait.
The governor isn't budging. AWOL Democrats aren't planning to come back. And, despite talk of deadlines and threats of mass layoffs, the state doesn't really have to pass a budget to pay its bills until at least May. Even then, there may be other options that could extend the standoff for months.
"This is a battle to the death," said Mordecai Lee, a political scientist at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. "Unless one party can come up with a compromise that the other party will buy, which I doubt, this really could go on indefinitely. I could see this going on until the summer."
**SNIP**
Two weeks later, Republicans are becoming increasingly creative in their attempts to lure the 14 Democrats home. They've tried cutting off access to copying machines for their staff and requiring lawmakers to pick up their checks at the Capitol rather than having them deposited directly in bank accounts.
On Wednesday, the Senate passed a resolution imposing a $100 fine for each day the Democrats remain on the run. Republican senators were also assigned to oversee the staff members of the missing Democrats.
State Sen. Chris Larson said the fines show that Republicans are becoming "increasingly petty." He said none of the Democrats flinched after learning of the move. He was resolved to stay away as long as necessary. "In fact, my family just brought down clothes for me," he said. "We're committed to this cause."
(Excerpt) Read more at sfexaminer.com ...
Simply declare the seats of the flee-bag state senators vacant, and hold an election, until someone comes to the state house willing to appear for the necessary quorum.
Now it is not likely that any of the districts in which these Democrat flee-baggers would elect a Republican, as they are well-entrenched in their home districts, but a competing Democrat who wants to get in some face time at the Senate chamber of the statehouse could get the former and now absent elected senator ousted from office.
The results of the 2010 election have basically been nullified, and the entire voting population of the state has been disenfranchised. There has to be some remedy that addresses that fact.
Republicans better remember this next time they are in the minority. Although, I’m sure Rats would just ignore them and vote anyway.
There needs to be ways to bring pressure to bear on associates and family. If the Senators can be detained if they are found in Wisconsin, can’t those who are helping them to avoid the law be charged, detained, followed, something??
Exactly, I just don’t see how this can stand.
“Now it is not likely that any of the districts in which these Democrat flee-baggers would elect a Republican, as they are well-entrenched in their home districts, but a competing Democrat who wants to get in some face time at the Senate chamber of the statehouse could get the former and now absent elected senator ousted from office.”
One Democrat senator only won by 400 votes. This senator will clearly feel the heat.
It is my understanding, that if they don’t show up for 30 days, the seats are considered vacated.
Increasingly petty reminds me that it is the "little foxes that spoil the vine".....they nip away at the root until it falls. So these seemingly petty things are and will get to this people as they build onto to each one. I also think family members will grow tired of this if not already. Wifey is left holding the bag on the home front. Kiddies want to see their daddy's....and I love the Tea Party people are following them...so they really can't hide for long. This is going to grow really old once the news agencies stop reporting on them.
Yep, and the swearing-in ceremony of a replacement can double as the quorum fulfillment.
Quick, somebody initiate a bill that requires all swearing in be done in a Madison zip code ...with the doors locked.
The RATS have a different idea:
“Groups filed notice with the GAB today that they intend to try recalling six GOP state senators.
Those targeted include Rob Cowles of Green Bay, Alberta Darling of River Hills, Luther Olsen of Ripon, Randy Hopper of Fond du Lac, Glenn Grothman of West Bend and Mary Lazich of New Berlin.
They join five Dems already targeted for recalls: Spencer Coggs of Milwaukee, Jim Holperin of Conover, Mark Miller of Monona and Dave Hansen of Green Bay.”
What is the procedure for replacing them
The Democrat Senators have not been good-faith partners in their legislature, as they are refusing to participate in the process.
As far as I was able to find, any expelling requires a 2/3rds quorum, which they do not have.
The only other way to automatically declare a seat vacant is if a legislator is found guilty of bribery (taking illegal franks, passes, or priveleges in Article XIII, §11). But, that will require being convicted in a court of law, which takes time.
Maybe there are other ways, but my cursory glance of the Wisconsin Constitution didn't show one.
-PJ
The GOP can pass new laws that do not include state spending. How about a new law that any paycheck not claimed within a month is forfeited? How about deducting a full pension year for every week or month from those who dont show up for work. Use the imagination, torture these Rats with every possible rule.
Everyone knows these AWOL Democrats are not spending a dime of their own money in Illinois. They are getting union money and other money donated to them. Might be via campaign donations or just cash forked over. Or given some non-traceable gift cards
I’ll bet they are spending cash and gift cards to avoid being tracked via credit cards.
Sounds like a plausible explanation about how they are surviving in hotels this long.
Isn’t taking money or things of value in these circumstances bribery?
Do the flee baggers have to report that money as income on their tax returns?
This is the usual advantage to the Democrats - they would rather burn the house down if they can't rule. The GOP isn't. This is much like dealing with terrorists. Conservatives haven't been willing to use the same tactics as the left.
They were dishonest and unethical in fleeing so I assume they are just as dishonest in what you have mentioned
Taxing Hiding Senators (AWOL Wisconsin RAT Fleas now work in Illinois)
Hmm, so even if the Fleebagers are gone for 30 days, they can’t expel them?
I thought it was the governor that could vacate their seats. But wouldn’t the fact that they aren’t there, gone for 30 days, the governor then makes their seats vacant, then make the remaining Repubs a full quorum?
I have been wondering if this was what Walker was up to. Wait for the 30 days then just vacate their seats. They would have no one to blame but themselves.
If I am wrong, what can the Repubs do?
It doesn’t sound like their is much maneuver room at all.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.