As I See It
Special session in Wisconsin simply a sham
It was, as expected, little more than a circus. The Wisconsin Assembly and Senate convened in a special session last week as ordered by Gov. Tony Evers. But convene is, literally, all they did. No vote. Not even one second of debate. Evers had ordered the legislature to take up two gun-related pieces of legislation — one calling for a universal background check for all gun purchases, another that would allow for the judicial system to hold hearings to determine if someone, who is a threat to themselves or others, should have their guns taken away. Both bills have widespread support, with 80% approval rates among the public. Even gun owners are largely in favor of these bills. But our legislative leaders didn’t even have the courage to hold a debate on either bill. Instead, at 8 p.m. Thursday, with all protesters and other lawmakers having left the chamber, Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald called the meeting to order, waited a few seconds, and adjourned the meeting. We paid for these lawmakers to travel from all corners of the state to Madison to conduct a charade. Lawmakers should have had the courage to, at least, have a debate on these important issues. They should have to go on record with a vote. Instead, this was a complete waste of time and taxpayer money, and an embarrassment to the democratic process.
Frank Servais
November 13, 2019 at 11:13 am
In principal I would agree with Scott, but at least they did not leave the State to avoid the session. I don’t own a gun, so I am not the right person to state a strong believe on this issue – either side. I feel that our legislature needs to create legislation that helps the State irregardless of party. Maybe we can show the Federal government how it is supposed to work.