By Brian Ward

The Constitution of Wisconsin states in Article IV, Section 7 that:

Each house shall be the judge of the elections, returns and qualifications of its own members; and a majority of each shall constitute a quorum to do business, but a smaller number may adjourn from day to day, and may compel the attendance of absent members in such manner and under such penalties as each house may provide.

The Republicans are doing just that; imposing fines and taking control from those elected officials who took an oath as required by the same constitution to execute the duties of the office for which they were elected.

One resolution will penalize a missing senator $100 per day plus administration fees.  Read here:

Under this resolution, a senator who is absent without leave from two or more session days is subject to a penalty equal to $100 for each day that the senator is absent without leave. In addition, the senator must reimburse the senate for the actual costs incurred to compel his or her attendance. The penalties and costs are imposed by adopting a privileged resolution that identifies the senator who has been absent without leave. A senator who is subject to the penalties and costs imposed by the resolution may only be heard on the matter on the session day on which the resolution is before the senate. If a senator who owes the penalties and costs has not paid the penalties and costs in full within 30 days after the resolution is adopted, the chief clerk will withhold from any payments due to the senator for per diem, travel expenses, or other matters, not including salary, the amount of any unpaid penalties and costs. The senate majority leader may also take certain measures to compel the attendance of any senator who is absent without leave. The resolution also allows the sergeant at arms to request the assistance of any law enforcement officer in this state to find and return any senator who is absent without leave.

A change in administrative policy adds to the Democrats’ stress level:

Until further notice from the Majority Leader, timesheets of any employee appointed by a senator who is absent without leave for two or more session days shall be reviewed and certified by the Majority Leader rather than the employee’s appointing authority.

Until further notice from the Majority Leader, all copy machine access codes shall be deactivated for any senator who is absent without leave for two or more session days. If an office requires assistance in making copies to respond to an open records request, the office may request the assistance of the Sergeant at Arms, who shall ensure that the cost of the copies is charged against the senator’s office expense account. In addition, the Chief Clerk shall charge the office expense account of each such senator for the use of the office printers. The amount shall equal the “per click” amount the Legislature is assessed under its printer maintenance contract.

Wisconsin state senators who miss two or more session days will no longer receive paychecks or expense reimbursements via direct deposit.  He or she will now have to collect their paychecks on the Senate floor during a session.

Finally, any senator missing in action will find another senator running the affairs of his or her office, read here:

TO: Members of the Committee on Senate Organization FROM: Senator Scott Fitzgerald, Chair DATE: March 2, 2011 SUBJECT: Ballot 11-033 Policy Change Relating to Senators Absent Without Leave

[MOTION] Pursuant to Senate Rule 88 (1), the Majority Leader may assign supervision over any employee appointed by a Senator who is absent without leave for 2 or more session days. If the Majority Leader assigns supervision to a Senator other than the employee’s appointing authority, the appointing authority remains the custodian of records for the office.

The following members are assigned to supervise the employees appointed by senators who are absent without leave:

Sen. Cowles is assigned to supervise the staff of Sen. Hansen
Sen. Darling is assigned to supervise the staff of Sen. Erpenbach
Sen. Fitzgerald is assigned to supervise the staff of Sen. Miller
Sen. Galloway is assigned to supervise the staff of Sen. Jauch
Sen. Harsdorf is assigned to supervise the staff of Sen. Lassa
Sen. Hopper is assigned to supervise the staff of Sen. Taylor
Sen. Kapanke is assigned to supervise the staff of Sen. Vinehout
Sen. Kedzie is assigned to supervise the staff of Sen. Larson
Sen. Leibham is assigned to supervise the staff of Sen. Carpenter
Sen. Moulton is assigned to supervise the staff of Sen. Holperin
Sen. Olsen is assigned to supervise the staff of Sen. Coggs
Sen. Schultz is assigned to supervise the staff of Sen. Risser                              Sen. Wanggaard is assigned to supervise the staff of Sen. Wirch                      Sen. Zipperer is assigned to supervise the staff of Sen. Cullen

You really have to love the creative thinking by Republicans.

Copyright Boogai, 2011

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