Restore WIS GAB independence, The good government measure. Proposal by Peter Barca and Gary Hebl

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Restore independence
A measure proposed by two Assembly Democrats would restore the independence of the Government Accountability Board. It deserves bipartisan support.

http://www.jsonline.com/news/opinion/restore-independence-131827533.html


Back in May, the state Legislature gave Gov. Scott Walker veto power over administrative rules written by state agencies, giving the governor more control over how state laws are implemented. Last week, two state representatives started circulating a bill that would curb the governor's new power over the Government Accountability Board, the body that oversees state elections, ethics laws and campaign finance regulations.

The good government measure - proposed by Reps. Peter Barca and Gary Hebl, both Democrats - would help ensure the independence of an agency that needs to be nonpartisan and independent if it is to maintain its credibility. The full Legislature should look beyond partisan politics and vote to approve the bill. In fact, the governor, too, should throw his support behind the measure.

Before May, state agencies worked out administrative rules to implement state laws. Those rules were then reviewed by the Legislature before going into effect. Walker pushed for the change that gives him review of the rules before they go to the Legislature, saying the bill would help him cut through red tape that hinders business.

That may be true in some cases, but how that logic applies to the Government Accountability Board escapes us. We also question the change that gives the governor authority over rules proposed by departments headed up by independently elected officials, such as the Department of Justice and the Department of Public Instruction.


A "bow shot"...cool.