Assembly expected to vote on bill that would make it easier to hire, fire state workers

MADISON — The Wisconsin Assembly is expected to vote on a Republican bill that would make it easier to hire and fire state workers, but disagreements persist with the Senate.

The bill up Tuesday would overhaul the state's 110-year-old civil service system by speeding up the hiring process, eliminating applicant exams and defining just cause for discipline.

Assembly Republicans want to eliminate a requirement that applicants disclose whether they're an ex-convict. Senate Republicans object to that, resulting in the bill likely not being voted on there until early next year.

Democrats are opposed to the measure but don't have the votes to stop it. They say the changes, including requiring that hiring decisions be centralized within the state Department of Administration, will make it easier for partisan politics to play a role.