In response to the ongoing budget negotiations, several lawmakers have created a possible solution to end any future budget stalemates.
Proposed by five Assembly Democrats, the bill would require by law that future members of the Budget Conference Committee be at the negotiating table for a set amount of days and time.
Though the Budget Deadline Enforcement Act would force negotiators to meet on a graduated timetable and under the threat of arrest if they fail to meet those requirements,"" the legislation is not intended to physically arrest anyone, according to a Representative who introduced the bill.
""The idea that we will take a legislator and throw them in jail is just absurd,"" said state Rep. Jennifer Shilling, D-La Crosse.
Shilling said the Legislature already has the power to force a lawmaker to be present for events, the most frequent instance being when the Sergeant at Arms forces a member to be present for a vote.
