Rep. Barca calls out Republicans for breaking the law

Assembly Minority Leader Peter Barca charges the majority with breaking the Open Meetings Law by ramming through the bill that stripped union members of their collective bargaining rights. This is a trimmed version of the original video, which is posted here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5sx-4...

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[finderofbooks]

The meeting was called less than 2 hours before the meeting. There is suppose to be a 24 hour notice before a meeting. And in case of an emergency, a 2 hour notice. there was no emergency. They violated the law.

[stripeynu]

The statute is called the Open Meetings LAW, and it was indeed violated.

Being present for role in the WI is a RULE, and that's the only way those senators had to represent the interests of their constituency, as the republicans weren't looking to negotiate; the unions had already surrendered the increase in pension and healthcare contributions. Fitzwalkerstan wasn't even interested in coming to the table to negotiate.

[MarcBoff]

Don't blink, you might miss a vote! Rep Barca makes me giggle. #StandWithWalker

[emadnadi]

The issue is not a bout the 24 hour notice. It is a bout the dictatorship attitude that Senator Scott Fitzgerald had. He deserves to be recalled.

[msguidobiatch]

Fucking treason. They all need to resign. Barca for Governor. Walker & his asshole cronies in pretty orange jumpsuits.

[Lon Baldwin]

Thank you Peter Barca!!

[rjl1184]

PETER BARCA

for Assembly Speaker 2012.

[coyoteswail]

The Constitution, and only the Constitution, binds the Legislature. The Constitution requires open meeting. But a law defines it as 24 hour notice. That law cannot bind the Legislature's ability to act. If you want to require 24 hours notice for the Legislature to act, then you have to put it into the Constitution.

Further, the requirement per the Constitution is an "open" meeting. The meeting was held in a packed room, with television cameras. How is that not open under the ordinary meaning?

[idq000]

You are incorrect. Constitution and ALL LAWS bind the legislature. If laws had to be incorporated into the Wisconsin constitution in order for it to be effective, it would take at least 6 - 12 years to pass laws. (1) Both houses must pass the amendment. (2) New members of both houses have to be elected (remember, Senators = 6 years) and pass it again (3) Pass a popular vote in Wisconsin. LOL

[idq000]

You seem to imply that the legislature is below the constitution and above all laws. If so, your understanding of the government is seriously flawed. The legislature must follow the constitution and obey ALL LAWS. The constitution grants the legislature the authority to draft legislation that MODIFIES the law (enact it, change it, or repeal it), but until that happens, the legislature must follow ALL LAWS.

[coyoteswail]

@DEARavens07 That's not the law. The Constitution binds the Legislature. The Legislature makes the law. You cannot elevate the law above the Legislature (which MAKES the law). To bind the Legislature, and tell it that it cannot do something (or must do something), you have to modify the Constitution that grants authority to the Legislature to make laws. This was political grandstanding.