Public could decide on requiring photo ID to vote
The contentious resolution starting the process to amend the state constitution to require voters to show photo identification in order to vote passed the Assembly by a vote of 57-36 Tuesday.
The resolution was introduced by State reps. Jeff Stone, R-Greendale, and Leah Vukmir, R-Wauwatosa, and Tuesday's vote was the first step in adding the amendment to the constitution. The resolution must be approved by two consecutive legislatures and ratified by voters in the state before being added to the constitution.
The amendment calls for all voters to show a photographic identification issued by the state of Wisconsin or by the federal government in order to vote. Many Democrats have rallied against the amendment, saying it would disenfranchise the poor and minorities who have outdated addresses on their ID or no driver licenses at all. Republicans have said the amendment would provide stability to Wisconsin's voting system.
Minors' abortions would require parental consent
The state Assembly passed a bill rewording the state laws regarding a minor's right to get an abortion Tuesday. The bill passed by a 61-34 vote and now moves to the Senate for approval.
The major portions of the bill concern who can give written consent for a minor to get an abortion, and the ability of minors to get a judicial waiver for an abortion without the consent of someone else.
Current law allows a minor's parents, legal guardian, foster parent or adult family member to sign a waiver allowing an abortion. The new law does not allow a foster parent, adult family member or parent without custody to sign the waiver.
The bill also eliminates the ability of a clergy member to apply for a judicial exception from the waiver requirement. Under the new law, minors can only file petitions for themselves and the court must hear evidence about minors' relationships with their parents.
Senate establishes
new ethics board
The state Senate passed a bill Tuesday aimed at reorganizing the process for investigating lobbying, ethics and campaign finance laws and rules, and created a new oversight board that would merge two state agencies.
The bill calls for the dissolving of the State Ethics and Elections boards and creates a new Government Accountability Board that will oversee elections, ethics and enforcement divisions. The board will also have a role in investigation ethics violations by state legislators. If district attorneys choose not to prosecute politicians the board has the power to fine legislators and can bring charges against them.
This bill comes in the wake of the convictions of former state Sens. Chuck Chvala of Madison and Brian Burke of Milwaukee on felony charges of misconduct and campaign finance violations.
Passage of the bill by the Senate now sends it to the Assembly and then to the governor.
