Rep. Spreitzer, Sen. Ringhand Propose Lame Duck Limits
"Less than one month after the 2018 November elections, a lame duck session fundamentally changed the balance of power in Wisconsin state government."
MADISON – Today, State Representative Mark Spreitzer (D – Beloit) and State Senator Janis Ringhand (D – Evansville) introduced a constitutional amendment that would limit the scope of future lame duck sessions.
“Less than one month after the 2018 November elections, a lame duck session fundamentally changed the balance of power in Wisconsin state government. Online, in person, and via official correspondence, legislators heard the citizens of our state reject this partisan maneuver, and the outgoing legislature set a poor example for the years to come,” explained Rep. Spreitzer. “The lame duck session is so broadly disliked that even now – two months later – the most recent Marquette Law School Poll shows that our citizens disapprove of those actions by an almost two to one margin.”
“I have heard from Wisconsinites of both parties who think that the lame duck session was wrong. This amendment will make sure that it never happens again,” said Sen. Ringhand.
This constitutional amendment is narrowly tailored to allow the state to take any critically needed action that might arise from natural disasters or other unforeseen events. It ensures that the will of Wisconsin’s voters will not be thwarted before it can come into full effect – without hindering the normal course of business. Any changes to the way that state government is run should be implemented through a considered and thoughtful process that gives ample time for public input and evaluation.
“I hope that our colleagues will join us and send a clear signal to our citizens that the legislature has heard their disapproval and is ready to begin governing in a calm, considered, and bipartisan manner,” Spreitzer concluded.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
More about the Lame Duck Laws
- Four Years Later, State’s Lame Duck Law Still Faces Court Challenge - Shawn Johnson - Jan 17th, 2023
- Judge Rules Against Law Giving Legislators Power Over Attorney General Settlements - Shawn Johnson - May 11th, 2022
- State Supreme Court Dismisses AG’s Lame-Duck Lawsuit - Ruth Conniff - Mar 25th, 2021
- Kaul Sues Legislature Over Lame Duck Laws - Melanie Conklin - Nov 24th, 2020
- AG Kaul Announces Legal Action to Allow DOJ to Again Enforce Wisconsin Laws Without Unconstitutional Legislative Interference - Josh Kaul - Nov 23rd, 2020
- Vos Thinks Lame-Duck Session Didn’t Go Far Enough - Melanie Conklin - Jul 31st, 2020
- The State of Politics: Court Rulings Against Evers Sow Confusion - Steven Walters - Jul 20th, 2020
- Court Tosses Dems’ Lame-Duck Suit - Laurel White - Jul 16th, 2020
- Op Ed: State High Court Nullifies 2018 Election - James Rowen - Jul 12th, 2020
- WI Supreme Court Upholds GOP Lame-Duck Laws - Laurel White - Jul 9th, 2020
Read more about Lame Duck Laws here
Mentioned in This Press Release
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Rep. Spreitzer, Sen. Ringhand Propose Lame Duck Limits
Feb 11th, 2019 by State Rep. Mark Spreitzer"Less than one month after the 2018 November elections, a lame duck session fundamentally changed the balance of power in Wisconsin state government."