Sen. Decker was missing today, and it was reported on the news

[midnight]

that this was the reason contracts were not going to be voted on until Walker gets in office. What is going on here?

[Lefta Dissenter]

1. he is supposed to call the session to vote on the contracts

http://www.wrn.com/2010/12/senate-president-hints-at-leadership-change/

Senate Democrats are working on ways to schedule an extraordinary session to vote on state employee contracts, which could include ousting their current majority leader.

The Assembly has already cleared the way for a vote on the delayed union contracts, but Senate Majority Leader Russ Decker (D-Wausau) appears hesitant to call members back. However, Senate President Fred Risser (D-Madison) says there are other methods to make it happen.

Risser says Democrats are currently circulating a petition that would allow the membership to call the chamber into session, without Decker’s approval. The measure would need support from 50-percent of the lawmakers in each chamber. Currently, Risser says they are working to hit that mark, but it’s unclear if they will.

If that effort fails, Risser says Democrats could always select a new leader to replace Decker, who could then open a floor period that would allow the contracts to be scheduled for a vote. Risser would not comment on whether Democrats are seriously considering that option at this time.

more at link
http://www.wrn.com/2010/12/senate-president-hints-at-leadership-change/

[midnight]

2. Thanks... This is really helpful in understanding what is going

on....

[goddess40]

3. Decker is in a snit about the unions because of the gun issue

He wanted concealed carry and the unions didn't back him.

I'm sorry to see Russ behave this way, as the unions supported him all the years he was in office - except on this issue.

I'm really sorry he's being replaced with the dr. botox face.

[ewagner]

4. Okay...this is NOT HAPPENING!!!

Somebody please tell me this isn't happening....

Decker did show up and VOTED AGAINST THE CONTRACTS!

In retaliation, the Senate Democrats voted him out of the leadership position....

WHISKEY
TANGO
FOXTROT
????????

http://www.wfrv.com/news/local/State-lawmakers--111993679.html

[HelenWheels]

5. It is happening

I'll bet Decker was promised some appointment or job by the repukes. He has been missing in action at the Marathon County Dem meetings for quite a while. He went down the tubes after his divorce. He will not talk with any Dem and his staff will not answer any questions.

[ewagner]

6. This is awful...

and it's just the beginning....

[dragonlady]

7. Jeff Plale also voted against

There was speculation in the Journal Sentinel that he would like a job from Walker after losing his senate seat to the hard-working and progressive Chris Larson. (Chris is one to watch, in my opinion. He did great work on the county board.)

[AleksS]

13. What if there was some quid pro quo going on?

We know Walker sees himself as above the law, would you be surprised if he wasn't starting some shenanigans early?

As long as Batshit-Becky is his replacement, and the legislature is his pet, and VanHollen won't prosecute anyone without WMC's authorization, he's probably actually safe from any consequences. Nice gig he's got.

[sybylla]

8. from what I'm hearing

he concealed his intent to vote no until the minute he cast his vote.

Pissed everyone off in the room and they apparently let him have it en masse,

Way to shit all over everyone on the way out the door. And by everyone, I mean everyone in Wisconsin. The union had made concessions including a significant pay cut, which would have saved the state money. Now, what are the chances they'll negotiate a new contract with snotty scotty? Zero. So while they're spending the next four years wrangling over contracts (providing the unions can survive said insane regime's attempt to dismantle them) they'll get paid all the while on the basis of the old, more expensive contract.

In the mean time, our most able and in demand professionals in state government are abandoning this sinking ship without looking back.

Snotty scotty isn't even sworn in yet and he's already overseeing the dismantling of our state government.

[ewagner]

9. Government in exile?

In the past whenever a Republican governor and administration took over, we had the luxury of having a "government in exile". The reason for this was because most of the political appointees of Democratic Governors came from inside Government....hence you usually had a Secretary of (say) Commerce who ACTUALLY KNEW SOMETHING ABOUT COMMERCE! Republican Governors, on the other hand, usually made their political appointments from the ranks of CEOs of corporations or sometimes, blatantly and without shame, from their biggest campaign contributors. When the Repubs took over from a Democratic administration, the Democratic appointees applied for and received civil service protected positions and bumped back down into the bureaucracy...and became known as the Government in exile.

For our sake, I hope they are doing it now. There was some real talent in the Cabinet level positions and I hope we don't lose it. We're going to need them in 4 years to reassemble the State after snotty Scotty runs it into the ditch.

[midnight]

10. This is probably the most important crutch this state could

count on right now. Now I'm not really sure what the heck is breaking loose right now, but from the few clues I've read it sounds like it?

[AleksS]

11. I hope something breaks lose.

This is just nuts, and depressing otherwise. I mean it sounds like Decker decided to take a dump on WI, because of personal issues. What's with that? Revenge legislating? Seriously?

[midnight]

12. Do we have any idea what was going on this past year with him?

[Jimbo S]

14. He's doing it

to stick it Doyle? Are the Dems blaming Doyle for their large losses?

I certainly do. Some this coming long ago. Still, a weak reason for Decker to behave like this.

[ewagner]

15. disturbing report today

Decker's replacement had a "deer in the headlights" moment...or more like a whole lot of the those moments at a meeting with local elected officials last week.

Even hard core repubs were disgusted with lack of knowledge of legislative process and issues....

we're in deep kim chi folks......

[midnight]

16. Who is Deckers replacement?

[goddess40]

17. Pam Galloway

She's a doctor that ran two practices into the ground. At debates all she could do was parrot her talking points.

[ewagner]

18. from two sources:

At a meeting of local elected officials she seemed surprised at some of the issues they questioned her about.

The locals were (bot dem and repub) disgusted.

[midnight]

19. Her motto: Control taxes, spending and govt. makes her

sound like the status quo..

[HelenWheels]

20. Conversation with Decker

My son-in-law actually reached Decker by phone. After a heated discussion Decker yelled, "F--k you" and hung up.

[dembotoz]

21. and i guess he did

at least he was honest.

[PeaceNikki]

22. :o

[midnight]

23. I didn't realize Decker was such a fragile Democratic representative.