January 3, 2012
Governor Walker’s First Year Undermined Democracy and Transparency
Governor Walker led an unprecedented attack on Wisconsin’s proud tradition of democratic participation and clean government. Fortunately, the people of Wisconsin are fighting back.
MADISON – 2011 was a difficult year for many of the values Wisconsinites hold most dear, from workers’ rights to conservation. At almost every step, Governor Walker and his Republican allies in the Legislature pursued a divisive political agenda that sought the most extreme policies at every turn. In few areas was this extreme agenda more apparent and destructive than Governor Walker’s assault on Wisconsin’s longstanding commitment to democratic participation and open government.
Before 2011, Wisconsin had one of the most inclusive voting laws in the nation. Our state frequently has one of the highest voter turnout rates in the nation, ranking second nationally in voter turnout in both the 2004 and 2008 presidential elections. Governor Walker and legislative Republicans worked overtime to undermine this tradition in 2011 by passing one of the nation’s most restrictive “Voter ID” laws, which will disenfranchise racial minorities, the economically disadvantaged, senior citizens and college students. The law is so constitutionally dubious that three separate lawsuits challenging its validity have already been filed.
Governor Walker’s attack on democracy in Wisconsin unfortunately did not stop at undermining our right to vote. The Governor and his Republican allies constantly undermined Wisconsin’s proud commitment to fair elections, clean government and transparency during 2011. For a sense of how far-ranging this assault on democracy went in 2011, here is a partial summary of some of the actions taken by Governor Walker and legislative Republicans:
Governor Walker proposed and legislative Republicans approved a plan to overtly politicize administrative agencies by requiring the Governor to approve any proposed administrative rule. This requirement even extends to agencies that are supposed to be politically independent, such as the Government Accountability Board, which has only further politicized Wisconsin’s election system at the same time that the Governor is facing a possible recall election.
In order to pass Governor Walker’s attack on worker rights, legislative Republicans openly violated Wisconsin’s open meetings law. A politicized state Supreme Court then ruled that the Legislature can disregard the state’s open meetings law, which represents a significant setback for transparency and open government in Wisconsin.
The Walker Administration recently proposed guidelines to limit free speech at the state Capitol by requiring even very small groups of demonstrators to apply for a permit, pay for the costs of policing and possibly even pay for insurance in order to exercise their First Amendment right to peaceably assemble.
“This radical approach to governing is not what the people of Wisconsin want,” stated Rep. Hebl. “Voters went to the polls in 2010 to issue a mandate to elected officials to focus on creating jobs. Instead, they have been treated to an unprecedented attack on their rights by Governor Walker that has polarized this state.”
Thankfully, Wisconsinites have reacted to this attack on their rights by even further engaging in the democratic process in order to pushback against this extreme agenda. Hundreds of thousands of people braved the cold to demonstrate for their rights at the state Capitol. Two Republicans who supported Governor Walker’s agenda were successfully recalled. Petitions have been signed by more than half-a-million Wisconsinites to recall the Governor.
“I am proud that the people of Wisconsin are fighting to preserve the traditions and values they hold dear,” said Rep. Hebl. “Our state has been a national leader in good government for over a century and I hope that 2012 will mark a return to this proud tradition.”
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