LETTER: Stroebel fears redistricting so much he won’t allow hearing

To Ozaukee Press:

A majority of Wisconsinites want to use a fair, non-partisan method of redistricting. Senate Bill 288 proposes such a method of drawing maps. It awaits action in the Wisconsin Senate Committee on Government Operations, Technology and Consumer Protection chaired by Sen. Duey Stroebel (R-Saukville).

On Sept. 24, this committee was holding a hearing, but not on fair redistricting. I stood outside the hearing room with signs requesting a hearing on SB288. When Sen. Stroebel passed by, I asked him when we might get a hearing. No answer. A few minutes later, I asked him, “What do you think? Can we have a hearing?” His terse answer was, “Nope.”

He has no intention of allowing this bill a hearing, so it will never make it out of committee and will never be voted on.  Gerrymandering itself allows Republicans to ignore the wishes of the majority. With the bill stuck in committee, Republican legislators benefit from the rigged maps, but never have to record a vote on the issue.

The Assembly Committee on Campaigns and Elections chaired by State Rep. Ron Tusler (R-Harrison) has also failed to schedule a hearing on Assembly Bill 303, the companion to the Senate redistricting bill.

Republicans are so afraid of fair elections that a hearing can’t even be held. Why oppose what the majority of citizens want? Why not do what is fair and right?  Why support rigged elections? The answer is pure self-interest.

If you believe Wisconsin deserves fair maps, please call Sen. Stroebel at 608-266-7513 and Rep. Tusler at 608-266-5831. Ask them to schedule hearings on SB288/AB303.

Elizabeth Koehl
Madison