I’m Taking My Gavel And Going Home

And so it goes…

For a second straight day of debate, state senators today squabbled so intensely that they went home without finishing their work.

Fighting over whether a resolution should honor all state employees called up to serve in Iraq and Afghanistan, or praise only John Scocos, secretary of the state Department of Veterans Affairs, who left over the weekend for active duty, a frustrated Democratic Sen. Roger Breske of Eland had another idea: Let’s just go home.

His motion, which takes precedence over any pending business, passed, 18-15.

The move came moments after the two longest-serving senators, President Fred Risser (D-Madison) and Sen. Mike Ellis (R-Neenah), took turns sniping at each other.

“The senator has not been around” for much of the day, Risser noted at one point as he called on Ellis to speak.

“I’d appreciate it if you quit interrupting me,” Ellis later told Risser, who used his gavel often today to remind senators to debate the pending issue and not partisan politics.

For years, adjourning mid-debate was only rarely done in the Senate out of courtesy and goodwill. So far, both of those qualities are in short supply in the Senate, which Democrats control, 18-15.

I was listening to the Senate session today (I have the recording if you want it).  They were in the middle of debating this rather meaningless bill when the Dems called the session to a halt.  It was an odd thing.  Word on the street is that they Dems wanted to close the session before the Republicans called up the sick leave bill for a vote so that the Dems couldn’t be accused of ducking it again (they fast-gaveled the session to a close the last time it was brought up).  At least this time, the Republicans managed to get a roll call instead of a voice vote. 

So far, the Dems’ management of the Senate is pathetic.  I sure hope they manage to get over their juvenile angst and do the people’s business.

1. ...although I’m happy to remind you that when the State Senate does NOTHING it’s usually a good day for citizens.

   Posted by dad29 on April 25, 2007 at 0849 hrs




2. That’s true dad.  But, there is good legislation in the hopper right now to the benefit of Wisconsin taxpayers.  But rather than addressing those issues, they shut things down and hide under their desks. 

   The underlying problem here is that the Democrats - when in the Minority - bitched and moaned about how they were being treated; and further, how they would behave if they regained the Majority.  But that’s all out the window now and the Dems are acting like a bunch of jerks. 

   Risser even went so far as to ask a Senator who had the floor, “Are you done talking yet?” It’s called the First Amendment, you bonehead!  Mr. Risser, You’re at the grown-up table now...act accordingly!

   Posted by on April 25, 2007 at 0907 hrs




3. Risser’s been an a-hole for years. Now that the Dems have the majority he’s been given the opportunity to prove it.

   Posted by on April 25, 2007 at 1206 hrs




4. They need to bring this up at the BEGINNING of every session.

   Posted by Fred on April 25, 2007 at 1426 hrs




5. Since when has the Senate been concerned with the “people’s business” these days?

   Posted by on April 25, 2007 at 1626 hrs