Assembly Democratic Caucus Chair and State Representative Andy Jorgensen Tuesday voted against Assembly Bill 373, a Republican proposal to gut the state’s 110-year-old civil service system in favor of a process that will allow for rampant cronyism and corruption in state agencies.
“Whether or not you’re offered a state job should depend solely on your education, experience, and dedication, and that’s what the civil service system has delivered in Wisconsin for generations,” said Jorgensen. “Republicans would scrap that entirely, so they might have total control over who’s hired and fired. Make no mistake, our agencies will be filled with the Republicans’ best friends and biggest donors.”
Jorgensen says examples of cronyism already abound with Wisconsin under Republican control. In his floor speech, Rep. Jorgensen recalled the story of Brian Deschane, a highly-paid political appointee in the Walker Administration. Investigative reports showed that while Deschane had no college degree, little experience, and two drunk driving convictions, his father is a powerful lobbyist.
Similarly, the Walker Administration recently rescinded an appointment of a UW-Platteville student to the Board of Regents when it was discovered the young man had signed a recall petition.
“Democracy demands that every voice be heard, without fear of repercussion. But, the message Republicans are sending is clear: your job opportunities may be limited, if you challenge us in any way,” said Jorgensen. “This is just plain wrong.”
AB 373 was approved on a party-line 57-35 vote, and now advances to the Senate for further consideration.
