(The Center Square) – Wisconsin’s Senate and Assembly decided to keep Gov. Tony Evers’ special session open on Tuesday as conversations continue on redistricting in the state, with Assembly Republican leaders saying that will allow for “meaningful dialogue” on the topic.
Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, and Majority Leader Tyler August, R-Walworth, sent a joint statement at noon Tuesday announcing the continuation of the special session.
“We view the Governor’s proposal as a first step on which to build a more comprehensive, workable solution for Wisconsin and we hope that Governor Evers will agree to meet face-to-face with us to discuss our ideas on how to accomplish this shared goal,” the leaders said in a statement. “We’re committed to a transparent and balanced solution that reflects the interest of all Wisconsinites.”
Evers called the special session to “ban partisan gerrymandering” but did not provide details of his proposal, something he also mentioned in his State of the State speech.
Evers said Tuesday that he did not plan to compromise.
“There’s nothing to negotiate because there’s no room for compromise when it comes to making sure Wisconsinites’ voices matter and their votes count,” Evers said in a statement.
“Rigging maps so that one political party stays in power is wrong, it’s anti-democratic, and it’s un-American—there’s nothing to negotiate because there’s no room for compromise when it comes to making sure Wisconsinites’ voices matter and their votes count,” Evers added. “This is a first step—if we don’t get a ban on partisan gerrymandering put in Wisconsin’s constitution, lawmakers will never be forced to create the independent and nonpartisan redistricting process Wisconsinites deserve.
“Lawmakers either want to ban partisan gerrymandering in Wisconsin or they don’t. It’s that simple. If lawmakers fail to take a public vote on this basic question, then Wisconsinites have no choice but to assume their lawmaker’s position on this issue.”
