Gov. Scott Walker
Governor Scott Walker says he plans to sign legislation on its way to his desk, which will overhaul Wisconsin’s civil service system covering state employees.
The bill, which was given final approval in the state Senate late Wednesday night, eliminates the civil service exam and bases future state hiring on a resume-based system. It also changes the process for firing state workers. Republicans argued the changes are needed to streamlines the process for hiring new workers, and for getting rid of employees who may be difficult to fire under the current system.
Walker talked about the proposal Thursday morning during a stop at Fox Valley Technical College. He said people would have to be hired based on merit, and there would have be be just cause in order to fire someone. “The bottom line is, we still have a merit hiring system…we just use 21st Century techniques to do that,” he said.
Democrats argue that the changes could lead to political cronyism in state agencies.
Walker said he plans to hold the bill signing ceremony soon, in the Fox Valley.
Mike Kemmeter, WHBY