Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Wishful Thinking on Sen. Schultz's Part

State Capitol Report: Schultz To Push Hard For Redistricting Reform.  (Wisconsin Public Radio, 2/3/2014)

Although I certainly agree with him on his second point.  (But I would insert "Republican" before "legislators".   Most of the Democrats are already on board.)


The Stonewalling Chronicles

Assembly Committee on State Affairs and Government Operations Chair Chad Weininger (R-Green Bay) refuses to schedule a public hearing on redistricting.  Weininger was recently appointed to this position by Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Burlington) so draw your own conclusions.

Likewise in the State Senate, Mary Lazich (R-New Berlin), Chair of the Committee on Elections and Urban Affairs, will not schedule a public hearing.  And don't expect her to budge.

Then there's the time factor.  With Speaker Vos drastically reducing the 2014 legislative calendar, when would such a debate take place in the Assembly chamber?

Where does the Governor stand?  In spite of the numerous calls from Wisconsin newspaper editorial boards for Walker to address redistricting reform in his recent State of the State address, he remained silent on the issue.

And, finally, it's an election year.  Legislators are eager to get into full-time campaign mode.  And why should the majority party do anything?   They love the current design, best represented by the 37th Assembly District.

It's all a matter of Republicans priorities.  Schedule a hearing on the Governor's tax cut proposal? Hey, there's plenty of time for that!


Vos plans to end spring session by March. (Madison.com, 12/19/2013)


Orange highlights = floorperiods that remain on Vos's schedule
Red highlights = eliminated floorperiods
Red arrow = my question if the date to send bills to the Governor is moved up.
Green arrow = Legislative Council Study committees start and end dates.



Related posts:
What are the odds (the follow-up).  1/26/2014)
What Are the Odds That Governor Walker Calls for Redistricting Reform in his State of the State Address? (1/21/2014)
Editorial Boards Make Sport of Rep. Chad Weininger. (12/11/2013)
Much to their chagrin, Republicans can't make redistricting reform go away.  (12/10/2013)
Redistricting pipe dream.  (12/9/2013)
An unintended consequence of redistricting.  (11/12/2013)
Taxpayer money and political contributions.  (11/2/2013)
Iowa's nonpartisan approach to legislative redistricting.  (10/14/2013)
Wisconsin State Journal editorial board not impressed with The Little Soldier.  (10/14/2013)
Against much evidence to the contrary, Sen Neil Kedzie (R-Elklhorn) spouts the company line.  (9/20/2013)
Wisconsin Democratic legislators who have yet to sign on as co-sponsors of Senate Bill 163/Assembly Bill 185 (Redistricting Reform) -- UPDATED.  (9/17/2013) 
Common Cause in Wisconsin calling out Sen. Lazich and Rep. August.  (8/19/2013) 
Undoubtedly, Tyler August is just following orders.  (8/12/2013)
Will Republican Leadership in Wisconsin Fail to Support Redistricting Reform? (7/22/2013)
The Redistricting Weasels Sing a Chorus of "Because I said so!!"  (5/16/2013)
Common Cause in Wisconsin asks, "Do your state legislators support non-partisan redistricting reform?"  (5/14/2013)
A trio of non-responses in this redistricting story.  (4/22/2013) 
Actually, Robin, Your Riposte is Patently Absurd.  (12/30/2012)  Expect a Frigid Reception from Wisconsin Republicans to This Redistricting Bill.  (12/7/2012)
Close, but no cigar, in this Republican redistricting effort to steal an Assembly seat.  (11/20/2012)
Redistricting in Wisconsin:  The plumber controls the spigot.  (11/15/2012)
Eric Litke can't see the forest for the trees.  (11/12/2012)
Robin Vos and religious imagery.  (10/15/2012)
The faces of gerrymandering.  (10/9/2012)
What it's all about in Wisconsin.  (8/1/2012)
Who's running for state office in Wisconsin:  31st Assembly District.  (7/4/2012)
Not anymore!  (2/7/2012)
Redistricting in Wisconsin:  the Basics.  (12/6/2011)
Define "judicial activism".  (12/3/2011)
More headaches but this time Sen. Lazich has the cure.  (10/27/2011)
Legislative redistricting in Wisconsin, part 2.  (10/24/2011)
Legislative redistricting in Wisconsin,  part 1.  (10/18/2011)
Legislative Reference Bureau legislative brief:  Local redistricting readjustment.  (9/6/2011)
Let's call this bill exactly what it is:  an unfunded mandate.  (7/21/2011)
Wisconsin redistricting plan popeils DeForest, Windsor.  (7/21/2011)
Fred Clark gets redrawn out of  his district?  Just a coincidence, of course.  (7/21/2011)
Oshkosh Northwestern editorial board tells it like it is.  (7/29/2011)
Wisconsin legislative redistricting:  Abandoned principles, interactive maps, bill text, and more. (7/13/2011)
Congressional redistricting in Wisconsin.  (6/19/2011)

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