Will Wisconsin Legislature finally take action?

Lots of people are calling for change following the shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha. Will that finally include the Wisconsin Legislature? Our state lawmakers have been idle for months. They haven’t met since April, despite the ongoing pandemic and growing calls for racial justice. Governor Tony Evers has called the Legislature to convene in Madison starting today to address a series of police reform measures. But while state law requires the Republican-led legislature to gavel into session, there is no requirement they take a vote. There is not even a requirement they hold any debate. They can gavel the meeting to order, then immediately adjourn. In fact, we’ve seen it before, when Evers called legislators back to Madison to debate gun control measures. They took no action. Its possible they won’t this time either. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos suggests the process will take time. It already has, because of legislative inaction. The Milwaukee Bucks have done more to address this issue than our elected officials. If our legislative leaders really think they need more time to address the burning issues of racial disparity, then clearly they haven’t been paying attention.