Message from Representative Andy Jorgensen (D-37)

I write this note at the end of the darkest, longest day our State Legislature has seen in modern history.

Tonight, the pleas of Assembly Democrats, like those of Wisconsinites now under attack by the Walker administration, fell on deaf ears. Tonight, hundreds of thousands of citizens were silenced.

The events of this session seemed in many ways like a recurring nightmare.

You might recall, earlier this week, I made a motion for the removal of the Speaker Pro Tempore, the presiding officer of the Assembly, for taking an illegal vote last Friday on the Governor’s plan. Republican leadership, at the urging of their staffers, took this vote three minutes prior to the scheduled start of session, a violation of open meetings law. I rescinded my motion then, after Republicans committed to a civil and legal debate on the Governor’s proposal.

For the past couple of days, Republicans kept to that pledge. But, not tonight.

Tonight, as we moved past amendments – 122 in total, with none having been adopted - the “games” began.

With my fellow Democrats yelling to be recognized, Speaker Pro Tempore Bill Kramer procedurally moved for final consideration of the bill. I then renewed my call for his removal, but his fellow Republicans supported him in his disgraceful and disrespectful action.

Approximately an hour later, Republicans who had been sleeping in their offices or off eating dinner suddenly returned to the Chamber, and then, with many Democrats still scheduled to deliver closing remarks, Kramer forced the vote.

The Chamber erupted in shouts to stop their orchestrated action. We began to chant, “SHAME! SHAME! SHAME!” But, my colleagues ignored us, as they had for days, and left the Capitol Building.

Read more on these events here:

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Budget-repair bill approved in early-morning vote

http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/116824378.html

To watch what transpired with your own two eyes, click on this link: http://www.wiseye.com/Programming/VideoArchive/EventDetail.aspx?evhdid=3784. Look for the video labeled “02.25.11 Assembly Floor Session (Part 1)” and scroll ahead to final few minutes.

This is not what democracy looks like. It is what corruption looks like – and corruption is so ugly.

I give much credit to the grace of the protestors who remained peaceful in the face of this unjust action. I think they know, we will all continue to fight on, as days and weeks go by. We must, with all we have at stake.

Governor Walker’s bad budget bill strips certain unions of their collective bargaining rights, rights hard-won over decades to protect workers from unsafe environments, oppressive hours and unfair wages. Governor Walker’s bad budget bill requires all state employees – teachers, custodians, librarians, police officers, firefighters, prison guards, highway maintenance crew members and administrative workers – to pay double for their health care coverage and 5.8% of their yearly salaries for retirement. At the same time these are made – and with more on the way, Governor Walker’s bad budget bill allows him to hire 37 more cronies, hand-picked advisors who’ll make big bucks in some agency desk jobs. Governor Walker’s bad budget bill allows for the no-bid sale of state power plants. Governor Walker’s bad budget bill threatens the future of BadgerCare and SeniorCare by giving him the authority to eliminate or drastically change the programs without legislative approval. Governor Walker’s bad budget bill borrows another $40 million, kicking our fiscal problems down the road to future generations.

How can Republicans rubber-stamp this agenda? How can they do it, knowing the public outcry for common-sense compromise?

Even if they’ve shut their offices down, avoided checking their email inboxes, and refused to listen to voicemails – as we hear many have done – they cannot ignore the crowds of protestors in the Capitol building or in their own communities.

For more on protests across the state today, read this: http://wispolitics.com/index.iml?Article=228125

Every day, our movement is growing. Today, municipal leaders and school board members joined the fight. Take a look at this story from the Wausau Daily Herald: http://www.wausaudailyherald.com/article/20110223/WDH0101/110223079/200-mayors-school-board-officials-from-20-cities-organize-against-governor-s-bill

We will not be silenced!

As I write this message, Senate Democrats remain out of state. As many of you have asked for clarification, I can tell you: without those members present in the Capitol, it seems that the Senate cannot take a final vote on the Governor’s plan.

For more on this, take a look at the following articles:

WISN-TV – Recall effort underway for AWOL senators

http://www.wisn.com/news/26974809/detail.html

Wisconsin State Journal - Absent state senators paying for their own food and lodging, not accepting donations

http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_fb7b1cb2-3fb1-11e0-b215-001cc4c002e0.html

Here are other important news updates:

Wisconsin State Journal - Madison School District preparing hundreds of teacher layoff notices

http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/education/local_schools/article_42f85eda-405f-11e0-8ebc-001cc4c03286.html

Wisconsin State Journal - Lawmakers approve rule that could halt sleepovers in Capitol

http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_b785247a-404d-11e0-91f6-001cc4c03286.html

Wisconsin State Journal - Transcript of prank Koch-Walker conversation

http://host.madison.com/wsj/article_531276b6-3f6a-11e0-b288-001cc4c002e0.html

It seems there is little good news to report. In fact, most of it is infuriating. But that upset fuels my fire to continue this fight – and I hope you’ll continue to fight alongside me. Keep contacting your state senators and Governor Walker; ask them to be reasonable, play by the rules and listen to the people. Ask them for a show of democracy – and not corruption.

In solidarity,

Andy

ANDY JORGENSEN
State Representative
37th Assembly District
(608) 266-3790