Can they do that? A county cell phone ordinance is getting a closer look. Waupaca County supervisors recently passed a resolution banning cell phone usage while driving, action that's raised the eyebrows of state legislators from the area. Sixth District Assembly Representative Gary Tauchen says they want to see if the board's action is legal. Tauches says a check with the Legislative Council yielded conflicting opinions about the issue.
Tauchen said he and Representative Kevin Peterson were told the action might not be legal, because counties are not allowed to establish traffic laws. On the other hand, the issue of using cell phones while driving is not addressed in state statutes. The lawmakers have asked the attorney general's office for an opinion on the county board action.