Doyle wants legislators in session

Publication Date: 2007-12-10

• Author:Kevin Bargnes
• Publication:The Badger Herald

Gov. Jim Doyle has called for a special session of the state Legislature at 11 a.m. Tuesday to discuss a series of critical bipartisan reforms, according to Doyle spokesperson Carla Vigue.

There are three issues Doyle wants discussed. The first is the statewide smoking ban, which would prohibit smoking in practically all public places. The second is legislation to require health insurance companies to provide care for autistic children. Lastly, Doyle is promoting a series of campaign finance reforms.

Vigue said the governor called the special session in an effort to push the legislation through before the holiday break...

John Murray, spokesperson for Assembly Speaker Mike Huebsch, R-West Salem, said the Assembly does not plan to take up the bills and will bring the session to order and move to recess. The campaign finance reform bills will then move to committee and will not be considered until 2008.

As for the statewide smoking ban and the insurance for autism bill, Murray said the Assembly would have to wait and see if they are passed in the Senate...

The governor, he said, called the special session hoping that special session rules would help the items pass. However, he believes nothing will happen until January in the Senate.