MADISON, WI (WTAQ) – Just days after the midterm election there already seems to be political tension between Republican and Democratic leadership within the state.
Wisconsin State Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, a Republican, is saying he’ll try to get the legislature to limit the powers of Governor-elect Tony Evers.
Evers took to Twitter yesterday warning Republicans and Vos that they should stop any attempts to limit the powers of his office.
“Let me be clear: the Republicans and Speaker Vos should stop any and all attempts to play politics and weaken the powers of the governor’s office in Wisconsin before I take the oath.”
Democratic State Senator Dave Hansen says everyone loses in a situation like this.
“Quite playing partisan politics, bring both sides together, and things are going to make a difference,” says Hansen.
According to him, Democrats have long struggled to have their voice heard within the state.
“Since 2011, being in the minority, they [Republicans] haven’t really listened to us a lot,” explains Hansen. “We’ve had good ideas and used to work together very well, but the eight years under Governor Walker it’s been the opposite of that.”
It hasn’t been specified by Vos or Republican leaders what sort of limits are being considered.
Any sort of limitations, according to Hansen, would be counterproductive.
“It would behoove them to work with him [Evers],” says Hansen. “Governor Walker is gone, Governor Evers will be writing a budget and to get something passed they’ll have to work with us.”
More than anything, he doesn’t believe this level of divisiveness is healthy for government.
“It’s not us against them,” explains Hansen. “Democrats represent 170,000 to 180,000 people, they have a right to be heard too.”
Any sort of change would have to be signed and passed by Governor Walker prior to January 7th, before Tony Evers is sworn-in.
Evers will be able to veto any legislation, according to Republican representatives.
A two-thirds majority would be needed by Republicans to override any vetoes.
In a statement, Democratic representative Gordon Hintz said, “Instead of accepting the results of the election and thinking of ways to work with the executive branch, Speaker Vos appears to be putting all of his efforts toward consolidating power into a Republican Party brand whose base is rapidly eroding.”
