The Wisconsin Senate’s Republican leader says there’s not a lot more he can do to compel 14 Democrats to return. Senate Republicans made good on their promise to fine the missing Democrats for missing roll calls, but now Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald said Wednesday he’s about out of options. “I think I’ve just about exhausted everything that’s available to me, to try to compel them to come back,” said Fitzgerald.
Last week, an Oconto County judge determined that the Senate must enforce its own rules, in the case of a constituent of Senator Jim Holperin who filed a complaint arguing Holperin’s refusal to return to the Capitol is a failure to carry out his duties as an elected official. “I don’t know what the status is, if that can be revisited by the plaintiff up in Oconto County, and if in fact that does happen, will the judge again review what we’ve down here in the state Senate and say it’s time to issue a bench warrant for Senator Holperin.”
Thursday will mark three weeks since Senate Democrats left Madison for Illinois, in order to deny Senate Republicans of the quorum needed for a vote on governor Scott Walker’s controversial budget repair bill.