Wisconsin GOP Denies Legislative Democrats Voting Rights

[PatGund]

In a nutshell, State Senator Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald has stated that the 14 Democrats that left the state to deny them a quorum will not have their votes counted, as they are "in contempt of Senate".

http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2011/03/15-2

"On Monday afternoon, Fitzgerald, who has publicly admitted that he and other Republicans advanced the anti-labor legislation in order to strengten the position of the GOP in 2012 elections, sent a letter to senators that read: "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."

In other words, the 14 Democrats who refused to go along with legislative moves that have sparked multiple lawsuits and raised serious constitutional questions will now be denied their ability to represent 2.2. million Wisconsinites who live in their districts.

This was the latest authoritarian move by Fitzgerald, who last week spoke of having the Democrats arrested and openly discussed expelling them from the Senate as punishment for their dissents. The majority leader's over-the-top actions have led one senior legislator, state Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Madison, to begin referring to the Wisconsin as a "third-world junta" state that he calls: "Fitzwalkerstan."

[Drale]

1. Then Scott Fitzgerald and the other republicans

are in contempt of the people of Wisconsin and their votes should not count either, therefor no work can get done at all.

[Jane Austin]

2. Who elected him King?

Somebody call the WI Supreme Court.

[aquamarina]

3. Doncha love how they just make it up as they go -

boggles the mind that they think they can get away with it. IF I was one of the returning dem senators I would simply ignore this bull pucky and if Fitz continues with it I would work to get the entire session and all votes nullified.

[calimary]

4. I LOVE "fitzwalkerstan." It definitely qualifies as a third world junta.

They're setting up a frickin' banana republic.

[LiberalEsto]

5. I hope they have a good lawyer

and take it to the state's supreme court asap.

[shanti]

6. unless

the state supreme ct. is bought off too....it happened here in cali.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

7. How exactly are they going to be able to get themselves "out of contempt"

They returned, after all. :shrug: Are they going to remain in the "penalty box" for the remainder of the session? I don't understand how the Republican majority can (legally) disenfranchise the voters in the districts being represented by the Democratic members like that. This is being challenged somewhere by somebody, right? :shrug:

[dragonlady]

10. According to Fitz

They are under contempt until they show up at the next roll call at a full session of the Senate, which will be April 5 (happens to be an election day in Wisconsin). Until then there will be lots of committee hearings, etc. where they can vote but it won't be counted.

[damntexdem]

8. No reason for the Dem senators to stick around in Wisconsin, then.

Sounds like they need another, and longer, vacation in Illinois.

[L. Coyote]

9. FELONY: It is a crime to deny anyone a right under color of law. Plain and simple.

And, it sure doesn't matter if you are a republican and do it to a Democrat. That is not a good excuse.

[WCGreen]

11. Sounding like crazy king George...