WISCONSIN — MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Republican-controlled Wisconsin Legislature took no action in a special session called by the state’s Democratic governor to pass a package of bills on policing policies.
The brief session came just over a week after a Kenosha police officer shot Jacob Blake seven times in the back.
Republicans started the session and recessed in both the Senate and Assembly in less than 30 seconds. That satisfied requirements of the law that they meet, even though almost no lawmakers were present.
It’s a tactic Republicans used in November when Gov. Tony Evers tried to force them to take action on gun control bills.
Evers released a statement Monday afternoon saying there was "no sense of urgency from Republicans."
“The people of Wisconsin don’t want another task force or more delays, they want action and results, and they want it today, not tomorrow or someday months down the road," said Evers. "It’s disappointing that there’s no sense of urgency from Republicans, and it’s a let down to all the people who are asking us to lead. We have been talking about these bills for months, and Republicans have had plenty of time to consider them on the merits. I encourage Wisconsinites to contact their elected officials and ask them to show up and get to work to pass these bills. We don’t have time to wait.”
