Things move fast and furious in our fair dairy state. (Should we rename it the Diary State?) I'm trying to wrap my recall-addled brain around the drama of the last seven days. It is time for a timeline! Please feel free in comments to add or correct anything, and I will update with an edit.
March 25:
At the end of the day, WI Republicans pass bill via The Legislative Reference Bureau, in spite of the current restraining order. (see March 22). Massive protests ensue. This sidesteps all rule of law. End run: Will it hold?
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State Republican Party seeks Professor William Cronon's emails via State Open Records Law. This is after Cronon writes OpEd piece for NYT, "Wisconsin's Radical Break," in which he excoriates Gov Walker's "break from the political traditions of his state..." (see March 21)
After modest media backlash, GOP executive director, playing victim card, states:
"I have never seen such a concerted effort to intimidate someone from lawfully seeking information about their government." and "Finally, I find it appalling that Professor Cronin (sic) seems to have plenty of time to round up reporters from around the nation to push the Republican Party of Wisconsin into explaining its motives behind a lawful open records request, but has apparently not found time to provide any of the requested information."
Cronon responds that it would have been nice to spell his name correctly.
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Madison Firefighters and Streets Dept Laborers file lawsuit to have Collective Bargaining Bill thrown out on quorum grounds. This is the first of perhaps many lawsuits filed on behalf of Labor.
March 24:
State Appeals court sends (R) State Attorney General's appeal of a decision barring implementation of Gov. Scott Walker's bill to restrict public sector unions to the state Supreme Court. Supreme Court must vote on whether or not to accept case. (see "end run" on March 25)
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Concerns raised about accuracy of WI DOA's protest estimations. Joe Skulan a scientist with the UW Geology Museum, says the DOA's crowd estimates for Saturday, March 12, are "not even within the range of possibility. It qualifies as a lie. That'd be as much of a lie if someone said one million people were there."
The DOA's estimates ranged from 33,000 early in the day to a high of 68,000. The Madison Police Department had a much higher estimate, giving a range for the day of 85,000 to 100,000 people.
The DOA was responsible for gross overestimation of "damage" done by "rioters" to Capitol Building. Odd how he underestimates crowd size, while overestimating crowd damage. Somewhere, surely, there is a happy medium! (see misinformation campaign)
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Hot meals to homeless not allowed in capitol, disrupting more than five years of Sunday meals served from the basement of the Capitol. Hot Meals for Homeless seeks other location from which to pour forth beneficent alms. Wisconsin is open for business, the Capitol is closed to charitable work.
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Indiana Deputy Prosecutor Carlos Lam resigns after lying about sending "false flag" email to Scott Walker:
"If you could employ an associate who pretends to be sympathetic to the unions' cause to physically attack you (or even use a firearm against you), you could discredit the public unions"
He initially claims someone had hacked his account, but later admits his guilt. While unsolicited, there is a haunting similarity with Walker's statements on "Fake-Koch" phone call.
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Walker's proposed education cuts raising doubts among supporters, according to various articles. Well, he's "doing it for the children" leaving the pronoun "it" open for much interpretation.
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A comparison of data from the non-partisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau (LFB) and the Walker Administration spreadsheet reveals glaring discrepancies in the projected savings and revenue limits, even when using numbers based on Walker Administration assumptions. A complete review of the education revenue numbers put forward by Governor Walker reveals that he correctly projected savings for just three of the state’s 424 districts. This amounts to an accuracy rate of about .7 percent, meaning the Governor was incorrect on 99.3 percent of his calculations.
March 22:
Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald on Fox News admits he doesn't have the votes if they re-voted on killing collective bargaining. Statement later scrubbed from FoxNews footage
.
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Democratic District Attorney Ismael Ozanne files response to GOP Attorney General Van Hollen's petition to lift the temporary restraining order issued by Judge Maryann Sumi on March 18 to stop the publishing, on March 25, of the anti-union law by Democratic Secretary of State Douglas La Follette. (see "end run," March 25)
March 21:
Professor William Cronon writes OpEd piece for NYT, titled "Wisconsin's Radical Break," in which he excoriates Gov Walker's
"break from the political traditions of his state," and claiming "Mr. Walker’s conduct has provoked a level of divisiveness and bitter partisan hostility the likes of which have not been seen in this state since at least the Vietnam War. Many citizens are furious at their governor and his party, not only because of profound policy differences, but because these particular Republicans have exercised power in abusively nontransparent ways that represent such a radical break from the state’s tradition of open government."
(
see "Open Records Request," March 25)
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Released emails from Republican Legislature reveal schemes to punish Democratic 14 and their staff members. These disciplinary actions include voting to find the 14 in contempt, ordering police to make them return, taking away parking and copy privileges for staff and assessing financial penalties.
Fitzgerald legislative aide Rob Richard wrote on Feb. 20, "I say we not only make it hurt for them, we have to make it hurt for their staff as well."
The State feels their pain.
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It is released that State Supreme Court Justice Prosser had earlier exploded at Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson behind closed doors, calling her a "bitch" and threatened to "destroy" her. Prosser claims she deserved it for being, erm, bitchy. He feels unfairly outed. Prosser tries to distance himself from earlier "I support Walker" testimonials.
March 19:
It is observed that Jeff Stone, Republican candidate for Scott Walker's absented position of Milwaukee County Executive has serially switched his add campaign. Early on, he had a picture of Walker at his side. After bad press, he changed his poster buddy to State Senator (R) Alberta "Recall" Darling, who smiled benignly from the background. After her bad press, he switched again. Now, a beaming Ronald Reagan is at his side, beatifically removed from controversy.
Give one to the Gipper and the Gipper goes on giving!
March 18:
Dane County Circuit Judge Maryann Sumi issues temporary restraining order preventing Wisconsin Secretary of State Doug La Follette from publishing Walker’s law due to potential open meetings violations.
Oh, what the hell; it's only a silly law! (see all of the above)