After Wisconsin gets through the upcoming round of recall elections this summer, the head of a state watchdog group says the constitutional provisions that allow the practice could be in for some close scrutiny. Jay Heck of Common Cause says recalls had been used sparingly in the state until the past year, which saw nine state Senators targeted last summer and another four coming up in June.
There’s also the recall against Governor Scott Walker and Lt. Governor Rebecca Kleefisch. If that effort is successful, Heck says it’s very likely the practice will become a normal tactic in state politics. He says that would make it almost impossible for lawmakers to do the business of the state because they will be too wrapped up in partisan campaigning.
AUDIO: Jay Heck (:19)
Also, Heck predicts that if Democrats are successful in kicking Governor Walker out of office in the June 5th recall, Republicans will not hesitate to use the same tactic against his replacement.
Republicans in the Assembly did introduce proposals last session that would have required more oversight on when elected officials can be recalled. Those measures failed to pass the Legislature.
WIBA’s John Colbert contributed to this report.
