MADISON (WKOW) — It was a tension-filled day at the state Capitol Monday as protesters took to the steps in an attempt to convince lawmakers not to pass legislation that would strip power from Governor-elect Tony Evers and Attorney General-elect Josh Kaul.
“As Wisconsinites, we should all be outraged today,” said Representative-elect Shelia Stubbs, as she addressed the crowd.
“It’s going to make to much more difficult in trying to push forward his own agenda,” Steve Drake said of Evers’ ability to govern.
The proposals would also make voting more difficult and move the date of the state’s presidential primary.
Demonstrators say the move is nothing more than a power grab by the state’s GOP leaders who are upset with the election results.
“As soon as the election was over, they decided they didn’t like who was coming into office and they wrote some bills to restrict his power,” Drake said.
Governor Walker says moving the primary election is not unprecedented.
“These are debates you could have had a year ago, they’re happening today. That’s because members of the Legislature were elected not on a term that ends on election day, they were elected on a term that ends in January. Just like my term ends in January. And so we’re going to look at things like people expect us to serve a full four-year term, Walker said after a menorah lighting ceremony.
However, Drake disagrees.
“Elections dates have been moved. But to have three within the span of a very few months is unprecedented and expensive.”
Drake feels GOP leaders are trying to circumvent the will of the people.
“Just respect the voters. That’s it. Respect.”
More on this story at WKOW 27 News