A proposed constitutional amendment to restrict the partial veto power of Wisconsin governors faces an uncertain future in the state Senate. The measure passed the Assembly for a second time last week, and Senate passage is the final hurdle before it can go to voters in a statewide referendum. A committee chaired by state Senate President, Democrat Fred Risser , has the first crack at the so-called "Frankenstein Veto" amendment. Risser says that the committee will have a hearing on the matter, but not in time for the amendment to be on the April ballot. Republican Senator Sheila Harsdorf , principal sponsor of the amendment in the Senate, says she's disappointed, buts says "it's important to recognize that we get this through as quickly as possible."
Risser suggests pushing back implementation to 2011, after the end of Governor Doyle's current term. Harsdorf has concerns."Anything that would delay, and put it (the amendment process) back to first consideration, I would strongly object to." But Risser says that change won't prevent the amendment from going to voters, once it passes the Senate. Senate Majority Leader Judy Robson has said the amendment is not a high priority for her, although she backed a similar measure while serving in the Assembly in the early 1990s.