The state Assembly is scheduled to vote this week on legislation granting the governor oversight of state agencies’ rule making authority. The bill, part of Governor Scott Walker’s special session on jobs and the economy, provides the governor with more input into the process whereby state agencies develop the rules to implement new laws. It’s a wide ranging proposal, and one that has drawn criticism from Democrats in the legislature. “It’s almost like the governor becomes a dictator,” said state Representative Gary Hebl (D-Sun Prairie) during a committee hearing on the measure. “It is almost like a dictatorship where the governor has the last say on everything that is promulgated out of the rules.” Representative Tony Staskunis (D-Milwaukee), also voiced concerns over the amount of authority the governor would have. “The governor of our state is now stepping in, and he’s going to be a lawmaker. He’s going to be a super lawmaker. I just really fear that we’re giving too much lawmaking authority to the executive branch,” Stankunis said. [Read more...]