In States They Lost, Some GOP Lawmakers Rush To Limit New Democrats' Power
December 4, 20185:03 AM ET
Less than a month after the midterm elections, Republican state lawmakers in Wisconsin and Michigan are working to limit the powers of newly elected Democrats in statewide office.
Just two days after the Nov. 6 election in Wisconsin, when Democrat Tony Evers beat two-term Republican Gov. Scott Walker, Wisconsin Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald said a lame-duck session agenda was already taking shape.
And Tuesday, lawmakers are set to vote on a number of bills that would limit Evers' authority when he's sworn in. Fitzgerald says the party isn't trying to undermine the new governor, "That's not the case at all. I think there's some stuff that's going to be reasonable."
Republicans in Wisconsin have enjoyed control of the government — between the governorship and both chambers of the statehouse — during Gov. Walker's entire administration. Over those eight years, the GOP pushed through major policy changes, ranging from union limits, to voter ID requirements, to redistricting. Now Republicans want to make sure Evers can't upend all of their accomplishments come January.
But many voters don't seem happy about that. During public hearings Monday, Republican lawmakers faced protests both inside and outside of the Capitol as they met to discuss the proposals to restrain Evers' power.
https://www.npr.org/2018/12/04/673020090/in-states-they-lost-some-gop-lawmakers-rush-to-limit-new-democrats-power
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