Fitzgerald: Dem senators won't be allowed to vote in committees

[PeaceNikki]

http://budget.wispolitics.com/2011/03/fitzgerald-dem-senators-wont-be-allowed.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald wrote this afternoon in an email to his caucus that Senate Dems remain in contempt of the Senate and will not be allowed to vote in committees despite returning from their out-of-state boycott of the budget repair bill vote.

"They are free to attend hearings, listen to testimony, debate legislation, introduce amendments, and cast votes to signal their support/opposition, but those votes will not count, and will not be recorded," wrote Fitzgerald, R-Juneau.

Chris Larson just said on Facebook: "According to right-wing Republicans, VOTING is our only job as legislators. But today, Republicans went further on the fringe and said our votes won't be counted in committees and hearings. In that case, aren't Republicans now preventing us from doing our jobs (by their own definition)? This assumes, of course, that they have any credibility left with anyone besides themselves."
http://www.facebook.com/VoteChrisLarson/posts/206737352669858

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. Then the Wisconsin 14 should just turn around and go back to Illinois

if that's how they are going to be treated.

[Tansy_Gold]

3. You took the words right outta my fingers. n/t

[warrior1]

2. how is this not

fucking illegal?

[PeaceNikki]

5. Indeed.

[aquart]

19. A COUP.

[Release The Hounds]

20. GOPpers make up the rules as they go.

And who is there to stop them? They control all branches.

[eowyn_of_rohan]

101. According to Wisconsin law, it seems FITZGERALD could be held in contempt.

2010 Wisconsin Code
Chapter 13. Legislative branch. 13.26 Contempt.

13.26(1)---(1) Each house may punish as a contempt, by imprisonment, a breach of its privileges or the privileges of its members; but only for one or more of the following offenses:

13.26(1)(a)---(a) Arresting a member or officer of the house, or procuring such member or officer to be arrested in violation of the member's privilege from arrest.

This next one is the one they are using against the Dems

13.26(1)(b)--- (b) Disorderly conduct in the immediate view of either house or of any committee thereof and directly tending to interrupt its proceedings.

13.26(1)(c)---(c) Refusing to attend or be examined as a witness, either before the house or a committee, or before any person authorized to take testimony in legislative proceedings, or to produce any books, records, documents, papers or keys according to the exigency of any subpoena.

Isn't Fitzgerald violating this one?

13.26(1)(d)---(d) Giving or offering a bribe to a member, or attempting by menace or other corrupt means or device to control or influence a member's vote or to prevent the member from voting.

13.26(2)---(2) The term of imprisonment a house may impose under this section shall not extend beyond the same session of the legislature.

http://law.justia.com/codes/wisconsin/2010/13/13.26.htm...

-----------------
Also, Get This:

"(Fitzgerald is) letting them vote. He's just refusing to count their votes"
"Strictly speaking, Scott Fitzgerald isn't preventing the 14 Democrats from voting; he's letting them vote. He's just refusing to count their votes, an "act of others" which is little different from preventing their votes, if "voting" is to have any meaning at all in § 13.26."

http://illusorytenant.blogspot.com/2011/03/in-wisconsin...

[Botany]

4. What a petty little man

I hope enjoys being a minority leader very soon ...

? for Wisconsin DUers is Scott Fitzgerald subject to recall?

[PeaceNikki]

6. Not one of the 8

http://www.recalltherepublican8.com/?page_id=37

[calimary]

26. Why not?

[PeaceNikki]

29. He's not vulnerable like the 8 are.

I know, they ALL are, but we have had to focus on the MOST vulnerable.

[Botany]

50. It sure would put the fear of God in him if they started a recall in ....

.... his district. So I take Beaver Dam is kinda red?

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

52. Was he elected long enough ago? -nt

[PeaceNikki]

56. I stand corrected, not in current term.

[Lefta Dissenter]

66. needs to be in office (current term)

for a year before recall can be done.

[dragonlady]

67. He has just started his current term

so cannot be recalled until next year, same as Walker.

[CLANG]

99. Because he's from the reddest of red districts.

[Sonicwall]

76. By the looks of it - a PERMANENT minority for at least fifty generations

[Scuba]

7. Fitzy and his cronies won't be voting soon, either. n/t

[glinda]

94. They might if the voting machines are still there.

[MichiganVote]

Is that all? I thought they'd put them in stocks in front of the Capitol.

[louis-t]

8. Just keep digging, Snotty.

Asshole.

[Kingofalldems]

9. Sounds like the repubs assuming absolute power for themselves

[usregimechange]

10. Guess he doesn't believe in democracy.

[cascadiance]

31. They like Stalinesque governments, JUST LIKE their crony Koch's father liked earlier...

They ARE

UNAMERICAN!

[glinda]

51. If people wait long enough, they will be denied voting period. He must go!

[sibelian]

11. Silly rudeness.

And nothing more.

[iwishiwas]

12. Scotty's Repug Poodles have gone insane!!

[PeaceNikki]

13. That would imply they ever were.

[iwishiwas]

16. ha I thought of that as as I posted it.

[Nevernose]

44. Don't insult poodles like that

They are a noble, loyal, and intelligent breed -- the antithesis of Republican politicians! The only thing they have in common is a penchant for weird haircuts :)

[iwishiwas]

62. L-)

[suffragette]

14. Republicans have quite the habit of not counting votes

More blatant here than usual with the added element of not counting legislators' votes instead of the ones from citizens that they have in the past.

[a kennedy]

15. F*CK HIM!!!

What the h*ll has happened to my x-state???? :cry: :cry: :cry:

[iwishiwas]

43. NO. Call him--here is his phone number.....get buzy.....

Telephone
[phone]
District Telephone
[phone]
Fax
[phone]

[iwishiwas]

17. Here is the Poodles petty little email.............FLOOD HIS STAFF WITH EMAILS.....

http://wispolitics.com/index.iml?Article=230087

Sen. Fitzgerald: Email re: Senate Democrat voting privileges in standing committees
3/14/2011

From: Sen.Fitzgerald
Sent: Monday, March 14, 2011 3:52 PM
To: *Legislative Senate Republicans
Subject: Senate Democrat voting privileges in standing committees

Dear Members,

With the return of the Senate Democrats this weekend, questions have arisen regarding Democrat members’ participation in Senate standing committee public hearings and executive sessions.

Please note that all 14 Democrat senators are still in contempt of the Senate. Therefore, when taking roll call votes on amendments and bills during executive sessions, Senate Democrats’ votes will not be reflected in the Records of Committee Proceedings or the Senate Journal. They are free to attend hearings, listen to testimony, debate legislation, introduce amendments, and cast votes to signal their support/opposition, but those votes will not count, and will not be recorded.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact my office.

Thank you,

Scott Fitzgerald
Senate Majority Leader
13th Senate District





District Number 13

Senator Scott Fitzgerald [e-mail]
[phone] Capitol 211 South

Staff:
Rob Richard [e-mail]
Tad Ottman [e-mail]
Tyler Foti [e-mail]
Daniel Romportl [e-mail]
Cindy Block [e-mail]
Andrew Welhouse [e-mail]
John Hogan [e-mail]


http://legis.wisconsin.gov/w3asp/contact/emaildirectory.aspx?house=Senate#13


Edit to add phone numbers........
Telephone
[phone]
District Telephone
[phone]
Fax
[phone]

[PeaceNikki]

18. Wow. I'd be shocked...

... if I weren't.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

24. I wonder what he thinks they need to do to "get out" of contempt.

Produce the last digit of Pi, perhaps? Or pay a fine of i dollars?

[iwishiwas]

38. Bow to the King Poodle and his little Repug senate poodles.

[glinda]

53. Can't the Dems request help from the WH on this? Illegal.

[Sonicwall]

77. Mr. Fitzgerald (*spit*)

As an American, I reject your concept of the contempt of the Senate. In fact, it is *YOU* and the entire Republicans that have voted for the travesty are in contempt of the entire state. I can assure you a *PERMANENT* minority for at least until the heat death of the universe. You are nothing but a lowlife scum that needs to be rotting in prison. Remember, you are *NOT* above the law. Many people will attempt to take all of the Republicans down, and they will SUCCEED.

You will not survive a recall when your name is up the very minute of Janurary. Count down your days, and it is already numbered.

And you won't even have the chance to enjoy your retirement - you will be in prison for a very long time.

[LiberalFighter]

21. The Fitzgeralds need to be run out of the state back to Chicago.

Then let Rahm take care of them.

[PeaceNikki]

22. I like Chicago too much to do that to them. I hear Wasilla is nice.

[provis99]

30. Wasilla is full of dimwit, backwards hillbillies.

Which is why it is perfect for the Fitzgeralds.

[Sonicwall]

78. That's insulting the dimwit, backward hillbillies.

They, at least, have some standards!

Send 'em to Somalia. They should enjoy the government there. Revoke their citizenship and declare them unwanted.

[LiberalFighter]

36. I say Chicago because that is where they were born.

And where else to send them then to a place where they are outnumbered.

[glinda]

55. A lot of people recently have come from Chicago. Hmmmmm.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

23. WTF is that, Calvinball?

:wtf:

[PeaceNikki]

25. Yes, next up he will revoke their birthdays.

[Scuba]

27. My email to Fitzgerald (with copy to Democratic activist atty)

Senator Fitzgerald,

Please reconsider your recent decision to try to keep Democratic Senators from voting in committee. Such re-consideration probably won't save your job come the next election, but may save what little respect the citizens of Wisconsin have for you and your Republican colleagues.

This decision is neither legal nor in keeping with the best traditions of Democracy in Wisconsin.

Respectfully (with great restraint),

(name, address deleted here for privacy purposes)

[Imajika]

41. You say that it isn't legal..

"This decision is neither legal"

Are you sure of this? People claim stuff is illegal all the time, but it doesn't mean it is.

I am rather shocked Fitzgerald can get away with this as well, but he sure is being bold about it.

My question is, what is the reason he thinks he can do this, and why do you say it is illegal? There must be some reason he seems so sure he can issue this order.

[Scuba]

49. I'm no constitutional scholar...

...but for one party to unilaterally decide that the other party cannot have a voice in government sure sound illegal to me.

As for his confidence in the order, the hubris of these asshats is incomprehensible. I suspect they don't care if it's illegal or not.

[Imajika]

58. I think the issue would need more investigating...

...before declaring it illegal.

It sounds absurd, but there could be some rule that allows them to do this since the Fab 14 left for so long and were declared in contempt. This might just have something to do with committee votes and not final votes on issues or something.

If it is legal, it still comes off as petty and ends up hurting the Republicans anyway. They have majorities on committee's and it wasn't like we'd be winning votes there anyway.

[Tess49]

73. I emailed him, too. I probably wasn't as polite as you were. n/t

[Zynx]

28. This is outright authoritarian behavior.

He is effectively outlawing the Democrats.

[glinda]

57. He is assaulting and violating the Constitution and performing a coup.

[calimary]

32. "Democrat senators." Poor dear. He never got past third grade, I see.

Amazing how far you can go on a lack of education. This poor bastard never got to the lessons that teach you the difference between nouns and adjectives.

[Shiver]

61. Oh, good.

He said "Democrat Senators". There are no "Democrat Senators" in the state senate, so this means nothing. The DEMOCRATIC Senators can still vote, right?

[calimary]

85. See, that makes me wonder. Could this edict NOT be enforceable because there is

no "Democrat Party." There IS a "Democratic Party." But "Democrat Party"? No such thing. Therefore I would think this doesn't stand.

[bergie321]

33. Hate to keep comparing them to Nazis...but

Hitler outlawed other political parties as well...

[Snoutport]

34. Put this one on your facebook

we gotta share this stuff with our more independent minded friends!

[PeaceNikki]

35. Yes, all over FB and the Twittering machine.

[Ellipsis]

37. What a Pud! Another arrogant pub... Back in the day he'd be'd tarred and feathered by now

They just don't get it.

[fascisthunter]

39. republicans=fascists

[PeaceNikki]

40. And who would know better than a fascisthunter?

[fascisthunter]

54. hehe

[highplainsdem]

42. That can't be legal.

[derby378]

45. Then they will MAKE it legal

Just like Darth Sidious, natch. :mad:

[southernyankeebelle]

46. Can they get away with this? What about the court?

[highplainsdem]

47. It's illegal to hold the 14 senators in contempt.- links:

http://www.forwardlookout.com/2011/03/can-they-really-hold-senators-in-contempt/9616

http://law.justia.com/codes/wisconsin/2010/13/13.26.html

[iwishiwas]

70. Thanks for these links.

[Scuba]

86. Excellent. Thanks.

[undeterred]

48. What is the legal basis for continuing to hold them in 'contempt'?

Does Fitzgerald understand that his feelings of contempt for the Democratic Senators, especially after seeing the hearty welcome home they received on Saturday, are not a firm legal basis for holding them in 'contempt'?

[highplainsdem]

60. There is none. There never was. See reply 47.

[Sonicwall]

79. If anything at all, he needs to be placed under arrest, and forced to a 'reeducation camp'

specifically, the understanding of the Wisconsin Constitution and its laws.

Apparently this idiot is not bright enough to pass a toddler test. My 2 year old son is already playing with stuff a 8 year old could play with. He's that smart, and knows that he has to be taught how to do cool things.

[TxVietVet]

59. F*cking conservanazis!

If they won't let them vote in committee, after the first time, go to court. As I remember, this is a democracy and government has checks and balances and functions on a multiparty system, at least 2 parties. Let the conservanazis pull their stunts. Have a press conference everyday and tell the world about it. Call Al Jazeera, BBC and Canadian news. Let them broadcast the idiotcy of the conservanazis. Make them pay with bad publicity. Daily. Internationally. Keep the issue in court.

Tell Gov. Wanker it's not a dictatorship and he can shove it where kisses the Kock brothers.

F*cking outrageous.

[MadBadger]

63. how does he not see how politically stupid this is?

I just don't understand who is advising them.

[PeaceNikki]

68. I know. Like we needed more fodder for the recall efforts?

Thanks, Fitz! We went from 15k to 56k signatures after last week's asshole move. This is a fucking gift, really.

[Sonicwall]

80. They need to complete the recall signatures

and have it quickly validated so they can get their asses recalled before the end of the month.

That's punishment enough. The majority will be incredibly large for the Democratic principles and they *DO* understand that unions are important to the American way of life.

If the Republicans don't like it, they can go fucking move to Somalia.

That's their kind of government/country they would love to live in.

[Bjorn Against]

69. I know, I almost want to thank Fitzgerald for doing this

First of all there is no way this will hold up in court, second Republicans already had the majority and could basically push through whatever they wanted anyways so this does not benefit them at all. Unilaterally declaring that the opposing party can not vote is going to go over like a lead balloon with independents, and I think even many Republicans would think this crosses a line. It almost seems like Fitzgerald wants mass recalls, he is making the job of collecting signatures and getting out the vote a hell of a lot easier for us.

[Sonicwall]

81. Hell, 8 is not enough. I would donate a lot of money to recall _ALL_ Republicans

on *BOTH* ends, replaced with true-blue progressive Democrats and sign a new law (after overriding Walker's attempted veto) that would remove the restrictions on the recall and begin recall proceedings immediately on the remaining Republicans so they can get their asses kicked out.

[PeaceNikki]

89. They aren't all eligible. See the recall requirements.

[Sonicwall]

90. You said 8 is vulnerable?

Who lives in a red district? What Walker and Fitzgerald did was gone way too far. There will be a serious repercussion waiting for them in the near future.

[Scuba]

87. As a newbie DU'er posted yesterday...

..doesn't he understand this is a hunting state?

[Cleita]

64. I guess they think the Senate is a House of Lords and

Wanker is their King. No need for those proletariat Democrats having a say in governing under that system. Isn't there any legal thing that can be done under the Constitution to bring them in line?

[Bluzmann57]

65. They just keep digging their political graves

These repukes in Wisconsin (and everywhere) are incredibly arrogant and/or stupid. People in Wisconsin are tired of the bullshit and will recall almost all of them before it's all said and done.
SOLIDARITY!

[Canuckistanian]

71. Wow, he's "allowing" them to vote?

Like, symbolically?

[csziggy]

72. Not surprising - they probabley are resentful

"Please note that all 14 Democrat senators are still in contempt of the Senate."

Dear Sir,
Please note that the majority of Wisconsinites (and of the world) hold the Republican members of the Wisconsin state government, including Mr. Walker in contempt. Petty actions such as illegally holding the votes of the Democratic members of the government hostage will not improve your standing in the eyes of the world.

Good luck achieving any credibility in the future.

[iwishiwas]

92. Being bullies is more like it. (Walker's Repug Poodles)

[lonestarnot]

74. mmmhugh. Some real democracy those freaks got going on right there now. Just who in the fuck do

they think they are? What can be done?

[Sonicwall]

75. All 3 Fitzgeralds needs to be INDICTED ASAP

for corruption and theft of state property, funds, and everything else. RICO can be applied.

Just make it fucking stick and get them the HELL out of politics.

[L. Coyote]

82. FELONY!! Depriving someone of a right under color of law is a felony!

It is not only their right as an elected official, it is a duty!

[mikeburetta]

83. representative democracy

So let me get this right..The republican majority is going to strip every democrat in the senate of voting for there constituents? so in-effect are not they in all practical purposes throwing duly elected officials out of office?
Living here in wisconsin that just makes me all the more determined to recall every last republican in this state as soon as they are available to have that done (in office one year). This coming year is going to be interesting to say the least for these arrogant nut jobs!

[mikeburetta]

84. illegal

When you are making up the rules as you go along i guess they think all there "new rules" are legal..will have to see what the supreme court thinks i guess.

[Sonicwall]

91. More important to put that Dem in the WI Supreme Court in April elections

JoAnne F. Kloppenburg is her name, I believe.

And it will tilt to the left, and Walker can do nothing about it, short of breaking the law.

[Major Hogwash]

88. How is this an example of bipartianship, Fitzgerald?

How in the hell do you expect to go anywhere but down from here?

[madmom]

93. Is this not denying the people their right of representation in their government?

The people who elected these senators and who's district they represent are WITHOUT representation, if that is the case, are they not?

[PeaceNikki]

95. I would think so. At least representation in committee.

[AllyCat]

96. Apparently, they aren't just going to disenfranchise voters, they are

going to disenfranchise those they elect. These people are shits and need to be hauled into court and the REAL rules enforced. Of course, none of this will happen unless we keep it up.
Rallies are fine, but don't get the job done. lets work on the recall and getting people out to vote folks!!

[marmar]

97. Has there ever been a more vindictive, petty collection of assholes than today's Repugs?

To call them "childish" would be viciously slandering children.

[Lorien]

98. Which makes one wonder; why try to "work" with these thugs?

There is no "compromise" with fascists who demand total control. They've given us the ammo; we now need to get on message and destroy them with it.

[The Wizard]

100. The U.S. House Republicans

did almost the same thing to House Democrats from 04 to 06.
The problem is the Democrats didn't return the slight when they took the majority in 06.
The Wisconsin Senate is going to be overturned in short order. They're doing as much damage as possible before they're gone. Then when the Democrats take back the majority they'll spend all their time rescinding Republican mayhem. Fortunately Wisconsin working people didn't sit back and let the Republicans squash them like the Democrats did nationally during the eight year Bush reign of terror.

[BanzaiBonnie]

102. Bullies who break the rules

[Lifelong Protester]

103. My email to fitzy:

Dear Senator Fitzgerald,

Do you have the power now to take away the voice of anyone who lives in a senate district represented by one of the Democratic Senators? Really?

Isn't that called a coup, when you take over the government for your own party and take away the representation of people?

Wow, I didn't know you Republicans fancied yourselves as such gods that you can do whatever you wish.

By the way, I support my Senator, Kathleen Vinehout, and the other 13 that had to leave the state to slow down your power-grabbing runaway train of destructive legislation.

The people of Wisconsin have very long memories. And your tenure will thus be short.

Regards!

[PeaceNikki]

104. Very nice. :)