Lawmakers seek a more proportionate representation of veterans on the Wisconsin Veterans Affairs Board.
Four state lawmakers are introducing legislation that requires the Board to consist of members from all corners of Wisconsin. Four of the current seven board members live in the Madison area.
“I’m not saying that these folks have done anything wrong, but there are outstanding people that are in the veterans community … you know we feel that some of those outstanding people, whether they be in Wausau or Green Bay or La Crosse or Ashland or Milwaukee even, they deserve to have a chance.”
Senate Republican Rob Cowles of Green Bay is among a bipartisan group of lawmakers who point out the state’s most-populated region — the Milwaukee area — has no representation on the Veterans’ Board.
Cowles explains, the bill would divide the state into seven districts, each providing one representative to serve on the board.
“It’s just fair.”
The three other board members come from Whitehall, Waupaca, and Superior.
Governor Jim Doyle vetoed a similar measure last month that would have made members of the UW Board of Regents come from all geographic regions of the state.
Co-authors of the bill include Assembly Democrat Christine Sinicki of Milwaukee, Assembly Republican Mark Gottlieb of Port Washington, Senate Democrat John Lehman of Racine, and Senate Republican Rob Cowles of Green Bay.
Jackie Johnson 1:29