Walker calls for lame-duck bills, starting clock on signing

MADISON — Gov. Scott Walker has called for Republicans' lame-duck legislation to be delivered to his office, starting the countdown to signing the package.

Walker called for the bills Thursday. He now has six days to sign them. His spokesman, Tom Evenson, says Walker won't take action Thursday but declined to say when he would act.

The measures weaken Democratic Gov.-elect Tony Evers and Democratic Attorney General-elect Josh Kaul.

They give Republicans control of the state job-creation agency, block Evers from withdrawing Wisconsin from a multistate lawsuit challenging the Affordable Care Act and prevent him from seeking to withdraw a federal waiver allowing the state to force Medicaid recipients to work to receive benefits.

Kaul would need lawmakers' permission to settle lawsuits and the Legislature would be able to intervene in cases.