Senate to take up (unanimously passes!) resolution calling for $100 penalty for missing lawmakers

Wispolitics dot com ^ | 3-2-11 | Andy Szal

[bigbob]

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

Under this resolution, a senator who is absent without leave from two or more session days is subject to a penalty equal to $100 for each day that the senator is absent without leave. In addition, the senator must reimburse the senate for the actual costs incurred to compel his or her attendance. The penalties and costs are imposed by adopting a privileged resolution that identifies the senator who has been absent without leave. A senator who is subject to the penalties and costs imposed by the resolution may only be heard on the matter on the session day on which the resolution is before the senate. If a senator who owes the penalties and costs has not paid the penalties and costs in full within 30 days after the resolution is adopted, the chief clerk will withhold from any payments due to the senator for per diem, travel expenses, or other matters, not including salary, the amount of any unpaid penalties and costs. The senate majority leader may also take certain measures to compel the attendance of any senator who is absent without leave. The resolution also allows the sergeant at arms to request the assistance of any law enforcement officer in this state to find and return any senator who is absent without leave.

[Mr. Jeeves]

Their seats ought to be declared abandoned and special elections scheduled. That’s the only thing that gets a Democrat’s attention.

[Girlene]

The fact that the fleebaggers have to personally reimburse the State of Wisconsin for all expenses, including all costs associated with deploying law enforcement personnel in this matter, will amount to considerably more than $100/day. It could be that this is more than symbolic.

Agreed....it's going to hurt.

[imjimbo]

A burst from an M-2 makes quick work of a hundred bucks-!

[DHSMostWanted]

After 10 consecutive absences without leave the seats should be vacated. It would send a message to the Democrats.

[newzjunkey]

it’s a start!

[Niuhuru]

Impressive idea really. Plus the accompanying press of it being announced that such and such senator failed to show up and had to be fined and then found and then ordered to return. The bad press alone, or the threat of it, will be more than enough to keep the senators in line.

[Niuhuru]

Even better of an idea.

[Danae]

I am sure the unions will be happy to pick up the tab.

[sthguard]

Sorry, did you just use “union” and “legally” in the same sentence? Come on now, be realistic.

[Postman]

“(The only remedy for a bad guy with a gun is a good WOMAN (Sgt. Kimberly Munley) with a gun)”

That’s a GOOD tagline for one of our true Heroines!

[Westbrook]

> Personally I think the governor should just declare
> those seats vacant and appoint people to fill them.

This is the *ONLY* thing that will get their attention. The unions have plenty of money, as does the DemonRAT party, so fines are meaningless, especially when they aer so paltry.

These “senators” are guilty of

* dereliction of duty
* violation of their owah of office, ergo perjury
* contempt of the senate
* contempt of the constitution

These alone should be enough to vacate their seats and assign them to somebody else, as well as to arrest them for criminal malfeasance if they ever return to WI.