(The Center Square) – Wisconsin Republicans continue to try and make their point about politics, gerrymandering and compromise over the state’s new political maps.
The State Assembly on Wednesday approved the maps drawn almost entirely by Gov. Tony Evers.
“Here we sit today, where we gave our Democrat colleagues the ability to adopt the map exactly as drawn by Gov. Evers, what was their answer? No,” Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said during the Assembly floor debate. “The exact map as drawn by the Democrat governor, submitted to the court over two weeks ago, and what was the answer from the Assembly Democrats? No.”
Assembly Democratic Leader Great Neubauer said the effort to adopt Evers’ map is a Republican effort to continue to gerrymander the state and an effort to rush a decision on redistricting.
“Bringing a bill to the floor in less than 24 hours is not the way to consider a map that will have a lasting impact on our state. The people of Wisconsin deserve better than an 11th hour bill,” Neubauer said. “The map in front of us was changed specifically to protect Republican incumbents. This is wrong and it puts politicians’ careers over the will of the people.”
Vos countered, accusing Democrats of rejecting maps that give Evers 99% of the map he drew because Democrats believe they can get 100% of what they want through the new liberal-majority Wisconsin Supreme Court.
“They believe the court is so partisan, and so bought for and so influenced by the $10 million that was given to one of the justices, they’re going to do whatever bidding [Democrats] want.” Vos said. “They can’t take 99% for a win, because they are certain the court is already going to give it to them. How embarrassing is that for our system? If we have so little respect for the court that all we’re going to do is accept the fact that [the Supreme Court] is going to do their political bidding.”
Vos admitted Assembly Republicans made a few changes to Evers’ maps, but said those changes are minor and create more competitive districts across the state.
The maps passed the Assembly on a 63-35 party line vote.
The maps now head to Evers’ desk, where he has promised to veto them.
