Stop playing games with Governor’s appointees

If you can’t beat ‘em at the ballot box, then do whatever you can to keep them from securing a second term. That seems to be the strategy for Wisconsin Republicans who control the state Legislature. Even before Tony Evers took office for his first term, legislative leaders changed the rules to strip him and his democratic Attorney General of their powers. When Governor Evers nominated people to serve on various state board, like those that control agricultural, environmental and election policies, Senators refused to even hold hearings to confirm the nominees to their posts. It wasn’t always this year. For decades, governors of both parties have been given leeway to appoint their nominees to state boards and commissions. In forty years, lawmakers rejected just five executive appointments by the Governor. That changed when Evers took office. Republicans have turned down 15 Evers’ appointees since he became Governor. That doesn’t count those who are serving as interim appointees, still not having been confirmed by the Senate. Such underhanded politics is a bad look, and it is bad for the state of Wisconsin.