Since Wisconsin's \squeaky-clean"" Legislature became tarnished months ago under the caucus scandal investigation and as headlines proclaim indictments, resignations and allegations of extortion, the casual observer may be left asking: ""Why does this matter to me?""
The simple answer is that for an indeterminable number of years, state government operated under a system in which policies pertinent to anyone in Wisconsin were left to the hands of a few highly partisan, power-hungry leaders'among them, former Senate Majority Leader Chuck Chvala, D-Madison, and Assembly Speaker Scott Jensen, R-Waukesha'who had the ability to railroad legislation in any direction they please without regard for representative democracy.
In short, Wisconsinites and students should realize that every proposal they have ever advocated for or against, including those pertaining to UW-Madison, has been subjected to this system of corruption.
Recent events, however, indicate that Wisconsin has been granted a clean slate.
Monday's adjustment in Senate leadership, coupled with an expected change in the Assembly speaker's post, gives the Legislature another chance to earn the trust of Wisconsin citizens.
Now it will be up to everyone in the state'from lawmakers to UW-Madison students'to ensure the Legislature seizes this opportunity to become an effective representative voice for the state.
