Watch out:
itzgerald declined to say which Democrats he’d talked to, but Sen. Tim Cullen (D-Janesville) said earlier Tuesday he would introduce a constitutional amendment that would allow the Senate to proceed with a simple majority in all cases. That would make it impossible for a minority of lawmakers to block action on future bills, though it would take at least two years to change the state constitution.
“The main point I want to make is that what we did we had every legal right to do. It was an extraordinary step against an extraordinary bill,” Cullen said. But “the institution of the Senate is not well-served going forward by having this particular avenue available.”
A constitutional amendment must be approved in two consecutive legislative sessions and voters in a statewide referendum.
Cullen said his proposal for a constitutional amendment would eliminate the requirement in the state constitution that three-fifths of lawmakers in each body be present to vote on certain fiscal bills, including those that contain spending items.
Fitzgerald embraced the concept.
“I like the idea of making sure this never happens again, no matter who is in charge,” Fitzgerald said.
But Miller rejected it.
“I think the framers of the constitution put that in as a way to protect the citizens,” he said. “I think it’s an overreaction to what happened
“Sen. Tim Cullen (D-Janesville) said earlier Tuesday he would introduce a constitutional amendment that would allow the Senate to proceed with a simple majority in all cases.”
Why bother with that? How about whatever number of Democrats—from one to however many Democrats are members at that particular time—show up to a mutual friend’s house some random Sunday can proceed with a bill?
Constitutional amendment - bad. They are trying to solve the wrong problem - typical Dem move, and one that should be very suspect. It was not the quorum requirement that was the issue here, but the subversion of the will of the people by members of the Senate refusing to do their jobs. And in this case, Miller is actually right - the higher threshhold should be in place for budgetary issues.
You wanna amend the Constitution? Put in a clause that 3 days unexcused AWOL absence = resignation.