A proposal to combine bills on budget repair and the Great Lakes Compact generated significant disapproval from both Republican and Democratic state lawmakers Wednesday.
State Sens. Michael Ellis, R-Neenah, and Robert Cowles, R- Green Bay, opposed the plan to join the two bills.
The issue at hand is the fact that there is not really a logical reason why you would combine them,"" said Ryan Smith, spokesperson for Cowles. ""One, you have a fiscal need where we need to get control of the state budget and looming deficit, and another completely different issue of protecting the Great Lakes for future generations.""
The GLC deals with a multi-state plan to regulate how Great Lakes water is used in the future.
By combining these two bills, lawmakers might be forced to vote for a bill they do not necessarily agree with because they support the other topic, according to opponents of the proposal.
""Forcing members to vote for budget fixes they have no desire to support in order to champion the long term health of our greatest resources is nothing short of coercion,"" said Assembly Minority Leader Jim Kreuser, D- Kenosha, in a statement.
Time constraints play a role in the proposal to combine the two bills. The Legislature's regular session ended, and many lawmakers use the summer to campaign.
Carrie Lynch, spokesperson for Senate Majority Leader Russ Decker, D-Weston, said it is not yet certain what will happen with the bills.
""Its one of those things that have been batted around as they are looking at all options to make sure this all gets done very quickly. It has potentially good side effects,"" Lynch said.
However, Ellis said there is no reason the Legislature cannot vote on two bills in one day, since lawmakers commonly do this during a regular session.
John Murray, spokesperson for Assembly Speaker Mike Huebsch, R-West Salem, said the proposal was discussed among legislative leaders, but no agreements were reached.
