Assembly minority leader Peter Barca (PHOTO: Jackie Johnson)
Lawmakers will discuss Assembly rules during its first floor debate of the new session Wednesday
Wisconsin Assembly members consider rule changes that will decide how that chamber operates in this two-year legislative session, including schedules and time limits for floor debates.
Assembly minority leader Peter Barca (D-Kenosha) has his own ideas. He’s already expressed them to the majority party. “We like to see them include the public more than they have in the past couple of years.”
An informal rule agreed upon by leaders of both political parties two years ago would allow for at least 30 minutes of debate on a bill’s final passage. Republicans, who now have a 63-36 majority in the Assembly, want to make that agreement official so it’s not violated. Discussion could continue if both sides agree.
Barca says he would like more notice on committee meetings. “So that people know when meetings are coming up and that they have time to actually contact their representatives to weigh in on issues.”
Kit Beyer is a spokeswoman for Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Burlington). She says the proposed rules are “based off of what was set out and followed last session.”