Assembly Approves State Hiring Overhaul

Republicans in the State Assembly have passed a rewrite of Wisconsin’s civil service laws that would make it easier to hire and fire people for state government jobs.

In addition to shortening the timeline for new hires, the bill would end the civil service exam for state government job applicants and replace it with a resume system.

“This bill will simply accelerate the hiring process, making it infinitely more likely that we’re going to be able to attract the best candidate,” said Republican Majority Leader Jim Steineke.

Firing decisions would be based on performance as determined by state government managers, which Democrats said would lead to patronage hiring and firing. Rep. Gary Hebl, D-Sun Prairie, said it would create an “army” of “partisan lackeys.”

“They will owe their allegiance to General Walker, or they will be dishonorably discharged if they don’t carry the water for General Walker,” said Hebl.

The plan passed on a party line vote and heads next to the Senate, where Republicans are considering a competing version.