Albers Sues State

Sheesh.

Sheryl Albers, who as a Republican lawmaker unsuccessfully pushed state tax breaks for people who buy gold bullion and a bill to govern how divorced couples handle pet custody disputes, said that she was passed over for a job as a clerk to a key committee because she’s 55.

But the Democratic state lawmaker who made the hire denied that in a legal filing by the Department of Justice, which is representing the Legislature. Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Madison) said in the filing that Albers was rejected for the job as clerk on the Joint Finance Committee because of her “known difficulties in interacting” with other legislators.

“Albers was not considered to be among those applicants appropriate to interview, and would not have been interviewed even if, for example, 10 applicants had been interviewed,” the response reads.

The ranking Assembly Republican on the Joint Finance Committee, Rep. Robin Vos (R-Caledonia), said that he was consulted by Pocan on the decision to hire Joe Malkasian as the Joint Finance clerk - a $48,000-a-year job that is not a civil service position. Vos said he didn’t know Albers had applied but added that he supported the decision to hire Malkasian and has found that he keeps lawmakers of both parties informed about committee business.

“I have nothing but the highest praise for the job he’s done, and I think he was a great hire,” Vos said.

Albers filed the complaint with the state Equal Rights Division in January but it was released only last week by state officials at the request of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Department of Workforce Development spokesman Dick Jones said a state investigator will make a recommendation on whether there is probable cause to believe discrimination occurred, which could in turn trigger a hearing before an administrative law judge.

The reporter goes out of his way to point out the quirkiness of Albers, but let’s be clear… she’s a nut.  I wouldn’t have considered her for any job regardless of her age because of her eccentric/quirky/nutty behavior.  I apologize to her former staffer who comments here, but it’s true.