Last day for the GAB: Democrats promise to replace partisan boards if they can

MADISON — Democratic legislative leaders are promising to do away with new partisan commissions overseeing Wisconsin elections and ethics laws if they gain majority control of the Legislature.


Democratic lawmakers held a news conference Wednesday, June 29th to mark the final day of the nonpartisan Government Accountability Board.

The Republican-controlled Legislature and Gov. Scott Walker are replacing the board with two new commissions compromised of an equal number of Democratic and Republican appointees.

Those new commissions officially begin operating Thursday, June 30th.

Democratic state Sen. Jon Erpenbach says he would "absolutely" propose re-instating the GAB if Democrats get control of the Senate. And Democratic Assembly Minority Leader Peter Barca says he would support reinstating nonpartisan judges on the panels.

Even if Democrats get majority control, Walker would still have the power to veto any proposal.