University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh associate communications professor and political observer Tony Palmeri isn't a fan of a Republican plan that would stop county executives from concurrently serving in the state Legislature.
Lawmakers in the Assembly passed the bill in the Assembly late Thursday by a vote of 53-40, sending the proposal to Gov. Scott Walker. The Senate approved the measure Tuesday 19-13. Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald said the bill targets politicians like Winnebago County Executive Mark Harris, who is a Democratic candidate for Wisconsin's 18th District Senate seat.
"I find it fascinating that the Legislature would pass legislation specifically targeted to keep one person out of the state Senate," said UW-Oshkosh associate communications professor Tony Palmeri Friday. "Talk about blatant partisanship."
Fitzgerald insisted that drawing two salaries from taxpayers represents a conflict of interest because counties are arms of state government. Harris makes nearly $103,000 as county executive, and would earn about $51,000 plus $88 per diem for each day in Madison as a senator.
Palmeri, who lives in the Senate district that Harris is vying for, said Friday that whether an elected official should be allowed to serve in the state Legislature is a matter for voters to decide.
He also accused Republicans of being hypocritical, pointing to their lack of opposition when Manitowoc County Executive Bob Ziegelbauer simultaneously served in the state Assembly as a Democrat for more than six years.
"The Republicans never came forward with this type of legislation because Ziegelbauer frequently, if not always, voted with the Republicans, so he was OK," Palmeri said.
Democratic lawmakers also noted that the issue never arose last year when Waukesha County Executive Paul Farrow continued to serve in the Senate so that he could vote on the state budget.
UW-Madison history professor John Sharpless, a Republican, agreed that bill is partisan. However, he said people in Harris' position ought to make up their minds and commit to one job.
"It would seem to me that Mr. Harris, when he makes a judgment about running, should be able to decide which one he wants. You can't have both," he said.
Sharpless also said that in addition to a conflict of interest in serving as county executive and a state lawmaker, there are conflicts of schedules and meetings between the two offices. In addition, he echoed Fitzgerald's concerns about earning two public salaries.
Walker has not indicated whether he plans to sign the bill, but said this week there's a "legitimate question" over whether someone could serve in both capacities.
The Week in Review can be heard Fridays at 8 a.m. on the Ideas Network of Wisconsin Public Radio.