Posted on 05/28/2012 10:49:21 AM PDT by AmonAmarth
A prominent political scientist recently observed that "Wisconsin is a state in turmoil."
Sadly, many objective observers of state politics from around the nation concur with University of Virginia professor Larry Sabato.
It’s easy to see why.
By summer, Wisconsin will have attempted to recall 15 state officials in a year. The number and frequency of these elections, the money spent, and the toxic rhetoric are all unprecedented in state and American history.
In this polarized environment, Wisconsin cannot have a civil discussion about how to restore stability to state government. But, eventually, we will have to consider how to end the destructive cycle of recall elections.
When that day comes, it will be helpful to know how Wisconsin compares to other states.
Recall first emerged during the Progressive era of the early 1900s. Along with referendum and initiative, it was part of a trio of tools promoting direct democracy and was partly a response to corruption.
Wisconsin narrowly authorized (50.6%) recall elections by constitutional amendment in 1926. Currently, 19 states permit recalling at least some state officials.
But actual state recall elections are even more rare. Only North Dakota (1921) and California (2003) have recalled a governor. Just six states have recalled a state lawmaker.
During the first 98 years of legislative recalls (1913 to 2010), 21 elections were held in six states. Fifteen were successful, including two in Wisconsin: state Sen. George Petak (R-Racine) in 1996 and state Sen. Gary George (D-Milwaukee) in 2003.
But in the past two years, 15 state lawmakers have faced recall with 13 in Wisconsin. That’s 36 legislative recalls in 100 years, with 17 in the Badger State alone.
The most important difference among states is the grounds for recall. There is no restriction in 11 states, including Wisconsin. Five require a statement of reasons.
The remaining eight states limit recall to some form of wrongdoing, typically serious malfeasance or conviction of a serious crime. Some states also include corruption, unethical behavior, incompetence, or misdemeanor conviction.
In addition, Minnesota and Georgia require judicial review to verify the reasons for recall.
Recall procedures also vary. The time for circulating petitions generally falls in the 60- (Wisconsin) to 180-day range. Needed signatures range from 12 percent of votes cast to 40 percent of eligible voters in the last election the official faced.
In addition, states differ in when they allow recalls, with some prohibiting them early or late in an incumbent’s term. Wisconsin does both, although our window is wider. How often incumbents may be recalled also varies — from no limit, to once per term, to only once if the recall fails (unless election expenses are paid).
Clearly, there are many ways to reform or conduct recalls. When the current political "food fight" is over, perhaps Wisconsin can calmly re-examine if, when, and how to recall public officials.
We need that discussion if Wisconsin is to move beyond partisan gridlock and once again be viewed as a state to emulate.
“That’s 36 legislative recalls in 100 years, with 17 in the Badger State alone.”
Biggest crybaby losers ever!
Millions of dollars lost because of the communists lead Unions and many of the State workers attempt to grab more than their private counterparts. It is a crime and WI should restrict the recall process and the losers should pay all the cost of the recall.
It ain't Wisconsin doin' anything ... it's the enemies of America.
Enemies are supposed to be shot and killed in battle.
http://mathworld.wolfram.com/InverselyProportional.htm
“Wisconsin Dems are Rabid Recallers...”
True, but I think it’ll backfire on them and perhaps hurt Obama, as well.
We could also observe that, in Wisconsin, the recalls were initiated by the liberals/Democrats/unions.
And we could also observe that the Republican targets of recalls were not charged with corruption, malfeasance in office, or any other violation of the public trust.
The targets of recalls were targeted only because of liberal opposition to policy positions they had taken, and legislation they had been involved in passing.
The Democrats decided to push these recalls because of their own political reasons. They decided to pick these recall fights.
I wish certain facts were told here. This is hardly a case of a bipartisan abuse of the recall process by political partisans across the board. Only the liberals decided to take issue with the legislative process, and seek to recall elected officials who were properly elected in free and fair elections.
Only the liberals decided they did not respect the results of elections.
Only the liberals decided that interrupting the legislative process, by means such as Democrat legislators leaving the state of Wisconsin during the legislative session, was a proper use of their legislative authority.
We could also observe that, in Wisconsin, the recalls were initiated by the liberals/Democrats/unions.
And we could also observe that the Republican targets of recalls were not charged with corruption, malfeasance in office, or any other violation of the public trust.
The targets of recalls were targeted only because of liberal opposition to policy positions they had taken, and legislation they had been involved in passing.
The Democrats decided to push these recalls because of their own political reasons. They decided to pick these recall fights.
I wish certain facts were told here. This is hardly a case of a bipartisan abuse of the recall process by political partisans across the board. Only the liberals decided to take issue with the legislative process, and seek to recall elected officials who were properly elected in free and fair elections.
Only the liberals decided they did not respect the results of elections.
Only the liberals decided that interrupting the legislative process, by means such as Democrat legislators leaving the state of Wisconsin during the legislative session, was a proper use of their legislative authority.
No, Wisconsin is not in turmoil. The rabid, power-mad, totalitarian Left is trying to disrupt the functioning of Wisconsin. They are failing.
Admittedly, the political climate in Wisconsin is pretty toxic. But the entire onus of that lies with the phony fight that was picked by the SEIU and the various teachers’ unions. What were they asked to do? Start paying for at least PART of the health insurance benefits, like about just about every other (non-public) employee in Wisconsin, in fact, in most every part of the United States. To do that, the power to negotiate terms of union contracts was sharply limited, which was the point of the legislation presented to the Wisconsin Senate, at which point, all the Democrat members of that august body scrammed out of state. The remaining rump session passed the legislation with an overwhelming majority.
Suddenly, all those school districts and local government entities no longer had to deal only with the single-payer insurance carrier that was running a sweetheart deal with the union contracts, but could go out and bid them competitively, a HUGE positive factor for their balance sheets. And it was, for the most part, far superior coverage, for WAY less money. The community runs so much better, when the thugs are not part of the negotiations.
And the thugs are angry, like ants whose hill has been kicked apart. The fact that the anthill was planted in an extraordinarily sensitive part of the community, the public schools, meant the children of the wider public were being held hostage to this bullying and banditry.
The monopoly has, for the present, been broken, but the ants are regrouping, and strive only to bring down pain on everybody, without regard to any sense of reciprocity.
Do unto others, as you would have them do to you.
Karma is such a b!+&# kitty.
Excellent dissertation!
I’m not familiar with the recall procedure. But when Walker wins, can they go for another recall or does this finish it?
Thanks for the kudos!
It is distressing sometimes, to see commentary such as this. They are distorting what is really going on with the recalls in Wisconsin. It seems crazy to talk about how many recalls have happened in Wisconsin, without discussing who has been pushing them.
If Walker wins, he can not be re-re-called. A sitting governor can be recalled just once.
If Barrett wins, he can be recalled. A sitting governor can be recalled just once.
Yeah, like the fact that at least 1/3 of the necessary signatures on the recall petitions were bogus.
Talk about pi$$ing in the well, and then complaining because the water tastes funny!
I would imagine that folks in WI are sick to death of the liberal sour grapes.
If you disagree with policy decisions, vote the legislature out in the next election. Not getting your way on policy decisions should not be the grounds for a recall. I hope state legislatures take a look at the recall provisions in their states and tighten up some of these loopholes.
Liberals are always looking for a way around the will of the people. If it’s not the courts, it’s this temper tantrum recall crap.
But to be fair, it’s not only liberals who do it. Californians recalled Gray Davis and got Ahnold - hardly an improvement.
Food fight indeed. I view this as a death match between the leftist, secularist parasite confiscators and freedom lovers.
Just Democrats trying to turn back elections they lost. The people of Wisconsin voted and made their choice. Why should one party get do over just because they don’t like the results? There is another election so start working on that .
Not necessarily the loser but whomever initiated the recall should pay regardless of whether they win or lose.
When the folks in Wisconsin that work for a living get tired of paying for this foolishness, it will stop. Apparently they haven’t paid enough yet.
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