State lawmakers called to active military duty could name a temporary replacement, under a proposal at the Capitol. Two members of the state Assembly are currently on active duty in Iraq; State Representatives Mark Gundrum (R-New Berlin) and Roger Roth (R-Appleton).
State Representative Marlin Schneider (D-Wisconsin Rapids) says that means several Wisconsinites are left without representation right now. He says that's unfair to their constituents, who may feel they don't have a voice in the Legislature right now.
Schneider has authored a constitutional amendment that would allow those lawmakers to select a replacement to serve in the Legislature while they are gone. The chamber would have to approve the replacement, and they would have to be from the same political party.
The Wisconsin Rapids Democrat says the proposal includes protections as well, just in case the fill-in decides they want to keep the job. They would be unable to run for the seat for at least the next election cycle.
The proposal is being considered by an Assembly committee.
AUDIO: Andrew Beckett reports (MP3 1:10)
