Senate GOP meets outside Capitol on GAB, campaign finance bills

MADISON — Senate Republicans met outside the Capitol in Madison on Tuesday, November 3rd -- as they tried to muster enough votes to approve bills that would dissolve Wisconsin's nonpartisan elections board and overhaul campaign finance law.

Assembly Republicans passed both bills last month.

Silent Senate Tuesday, Nov. 3rd at Capitol

The Wisconsin Assembly was active on Tuesday -- but the Senate chambers were silent.

The Republican-controlled Senate was expected to convene Tuesday to vote on the bills -- but GOP Senate leaders canceled the floor period. They instead scheduled a private meeting where Republican senators could hash out their differences.

Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald's spokeswoman, Myranda Tanck, said Tuesday afternoon the Republicans were meeting outside the building. She didn't immediately respond to an email seeking the location.

The scheduled fall floor session ends on Thursday, raising the possibility lawmakers might return in extraordinary session to finish the bills.

Silent Senate Tuesday, Nov. 3rd at Capitol

"Perhaps there`s white smoke and people have come to a consensus and we can bring the bill and get it enacted this week," Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) said. "I would prefer to do it by the end of the week, but if it`s necessary to have an extraordinary session, of course I`m open to that."

"Now how outrageous would that be that you would waste the taxpayers` money so you could come into an extraordinary session strictly to feather your own nest?" Assembly Minority Leader Peter Barca (D-Kenosha) said.