Walker Administration, Assembly Speaker Highlight Sexual Harassment Policies

Gov. Scott Walker’s administration is reminding agency leaders about the state’s policies on sexual harassment amid a flurry of reports of inappropriate conduct by lawmakers in Congress and in state legislatures.

Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Robin Vos is also calling a mandatory meeting Tuesday for legislative staff to discuss the process for reporting sexual harassment.

How Walker and the Legislature handle sexual harassment is also becoming a campaign issue. State Rep. Dana Wachs, a Democratic candidate for governor, on Monday said Walker and Republicans who control the Legislature have failed to lead on the issue.

Wachs is calling for an overhaul of workplace protections against sexual harassment in the Wisconsin Legislature.

The Eau Claire attorney called for an overhaul in training, reporting and settlement procedures for sexual harassment and assault in the Legislature.

Wachs said Walker and Republicans who have been in majority control of the Legislature since 2011 have failed to take proactive steps to create a more responsive, transparent system.

Walker’s top aid Scott Neitzel last week sent an email to all cabinet secretaries asking them to review the state’s sexual harassment policies with their management and human relations teams.

No current Wisconsin lawmaker has been accused of sexual misconduct since a recent burst of accusations against office holders and others in the public spotlight in recent weeks. More than a dozen lawmakers in other states have faced accusations.

Editor’s Note: This story was updated at 5:01 p.m. Monday, Nov. 27, 2017, to include information about Walker’s administration and agency leaders discussing sexual harassment.