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“We don’t do anything!” state Rep. Frank Boyle, D-Superior, yelled shortly after the beginning of the Assembly’s day at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday — more than seven hours after the scheduled start time. “I’m embarrassed to be here.”
Speaker Mike Huebsch, R-West Salem, defended the low number of meeting days, saying that no one claims the Green Bay Packers only work 17 days of the year. Lawmakers have spent countless hours behind the scenes holding hearings and working on legislation, he said.
“We’ve done some tremendous things this session,” Huebsch said, singling out one of Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle’s top priorities to expand health insurance coverage to all children in the state.
Split control of the Legislature — the Democrats control the Senate — has led to gridlock on numerous issues, with many bills passing one house but not the other. That split control also contributed to the state budget passing more than four months late, the last in the country to win approval.
“I thought we would be busier,” said Rep. Kim Hixson, D-Whitewater, a former University of Wisconsin professor. “If this old professor is asked to grade this Republican-controlled, rarely meeting, do-nothing Legislature based on your performance I give you an F.”
The Assembly was scheduled to be in session 50 additional days that were canceled by Republican leaders.
Rep. Marlin Schneider, a member of the Assembly since 1971, piled on.
“This is the single worst session ever,” he said.
The debate occurred during consideration of a resolution proclaiming an annual Wisconsin Water Skiing Appreciation Week. It passed.
