Democrats in the state Senate on Tuesday quashed debate on the "Frankenstein veto" constitutional ammendment. Republicans, like Scott Fitzgerald, fear Governor Jim Doyle will be able to once again rewrite the final budget bill to his liking. "Without this reform, the governor will continue to be able to abuse the veto power," said Fitzgerald .
Senate passage would have put the amendment before voters in April. That won't happen, as Republicans tried and failed to suspend the rules for a vote on the floor. Republican Dale Schultz was not happy. "Today was the last day, to take action to protect the state budget from thoughtless and poisonous partisanship." But Democrat Russ Decker said Schultz's Republicans have killed this reform in the past. "The former majority leader claims to be so pious," said Decker. "Back in 1993 it was Senate Republicans that killed this."
Senate President Fred Risser, who supports the constitutional amendment but wants to delay implementation until 2011, promises to hold a public hearing — sometime before the end of the session.
