The state Legislature kicked off normal sessions Tuesday when they met for its only scheduled day in September, swearing in two new state senators and passing bipartisan legislation about the presidential primary election date.
The state Assembly passed SB 115 65-32, moving Wisconsin's Republican presidential primary from Feb. 28 to April 3.
The legislation is in accordance with new national guidelines meant to prevent states from competing for influence in deciding candidates. The bill will be sent to Gov. Scott Walker, who supports it.
In addition, state Sens. Jessica King, D-Oshkosh, and Jennifer Shilling, D-La Crosse, were sworn into the Senate, having won their respective recall elections in August. They replaced former state Sens. Randy Hopper and Dan Kapanke, respectively.
Even though the legislature welcomed new senators and passed bipartisan legislation, opponents of Walker, including state Rep. Sondy Pope-Roberts, D-Middleton, criticized the Republican-ran administration for holding only one scheduled legislative session in September.
""Unfortunately, while the people of Wisconsin are desperate to get back to work, Gov. Walker and his Republican rubberstamp legislators have decided that they only need to show up for one day in September,"" Pope-Roberts said in a statement.
But Speaker of the Assembly Jeff Fitzgerald, R-Horicon, defended the calendar on WTMJ Newsradio, saying the Senate recalls delayed debate and September is usually characterized by a light load.
The legislature will resume meeting in October.
—Samy Moskol
