To those who look no further than Madison, Wisconsin may seem a haven for democratic liberals. But not all things are as they appear.
Even though the Republican Party currently holds the majority of seats in both the state Assembly and state Senate, it has caused the legislation process to become heavily partisan and encourage political gridlock, critics say.
State Rep. Joe Parisi, D-Madison, said state demographics are not reflected in the current makeup of the legislature.
'I don't know if most Wisconsinites know how in-control Republicans are of the state Legislature,' he said.??
Although Wisconsin has voted as a blue state in past presidential elections, Republicans currently??outnumber the Democrats by??60-39 in the state Assembly and 19-14 in the state Senate. ?This change occurred after Republican landslide elections in 1994, causing Wisconsin politics to shift from a more cooperative environment to a heavily-partisan atmosphere.
State Rep. Spencer Black, D-Madison, concedes that partisanship can be a positive thing when it stirs 'vigorous debate' between the Legislature but not when it is used by one party to maintain power over the other.
State Senate Majority Leader Alan Lasee, R-De Pere, said the current Republican Party works hard to be accommodating to the minority party.
Both Parisi and Black, however, have authored bills that never made it to the legislature. Parisi estimates 90 percent of bills introduced by Democrats have not been given a public hearing. Black said it is frustrating to work diligently on legislation only to have it remain unheard.
Black said his main concern is that partisan voting in Wisconsin is decreasing the independent nature of politics.
Lasee agreed and said some issues made out to be partisan really should not be'including same-sex marriage. While Lasee said he believes the government should not 'poke their noses into the bedroom,' he contends that he represents his district's views on gay marriage.
During the statewide elections in November, citizens may have an opportunity to vote on a referendum that would ban same-sex marriage in Wisconsin.
Black said gay marriage is 'a totally manufactured issue just to drive turnout in the November election.'
Additionally, he said if the issue is really important to Republicans, it would have been put on the ballot a year ago. '
The one thing Lasee, Black and Parisi all agree on is that the relationship between the two parties is not ideal. ?Parisi said he wishes the relationship could change, but there needs to be willingness from both parties. ?
'We can't have true bi-partisanship if the majority doesn't want it,'?he said.??
