As a result of the delays surrounding the passage of the state budget, state Sen. Judy Robson, D-Beloit, was ousted from her post as senate majority leader by other senate Democrats.
Senate Democrats had reason to remove their peer because of compromises made to speed up the passage of the budget.
Certain programs that Democrats felt were Senate priorities, namely Healthy Wisconsin, were left out of the budget.
Robson was their voice in the legislative process and when she did not accomplish their goals for the budget,.The Democrats had the right to question her job status.
Robson's colleagues' decision to vote her out of the position is an example of how Wisconsin lawmakers are attempting to redeem themselves in the eyes of the public for the budget delay. The public needs some solace in retrospect of the budget impasse that their lawmakers will not make this mistake again and will make up for their actions. For Robson's colleagues, ousting Robson is their way of ensuring the public there will be no tolerance for those who fail to pass the budget.
Although Gov. Jim Doyle commended Robson on her compromises to pass the budget, a strong leader is necessary to ensure that Wisconsin residents and UW System students receive the funding and programs they need.
Robson, as a main contributor to the budget, failed at her position and therefore deserved to be replaced. In other situations, if a person does not do their job well or is late in completing their assigned tasks, they will be fired. Bosses will not take chances with an employee who does not get the job done.
Even though the Democrats took a strong stance after the budget got passed, more could have been done to put pressure on Robson and other leaders while budget negotiations continued for more than 100 days past the deadline. Democrats could have worked more with Robson to devise a plan to get their provisions into the budget months in advance of the budget's deadline.
Hopefully, Wisconsin's lawmakers have
learned that a budget impasse like this year's need not repeat itself. The actions of the Democrats to oust Robson indicate a move in a preventative direction.
