This was on the JS website February 15, 2006. Comments by me are in red.
Bill would prohibit government workers from retaliating
MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- A state legislator wants to make it a misdemeanor crime for state or local employees to retaliate against people applying for a permit or requesting some other government action or service.
Is this really a problem?
Sen. Cathy Stepp, R-Sturtevant, was targeting the main permit-granting agencies in the state with her measure, said her chief of staff, Jay Risch.
"These are the agencies that have to be responsible to their customers - the taxpayers trying to get a permit," Risch said.
Stepp's bill also would require offices to post signs explaining the rights of applicants.
Under the measure, violations would carry a maximum punishment of a year in jail and a $5,000 fine.
Who pays this fine and what agency will do the enforcement?
Risch acknowledged he could not provide an example of such retaliation.
Stepp introduced the bill after a public hearing held by a Senate committee looking at possible regulatory reforms for the Department of Natural Resources. Stepp sits on the committee.
OK, If there are no examples of this problem why the possible law?
Paul Heinen, a policy adviser to Natural Resources Secretary Scott Hassett, said Stepp's bill is unnecessary and too vague.
"It is hard to do an analysis because the language is very broad and vague," Heinen said. "It is difficult to tell how we are to do it. For instance, they say you have to post a sign in an office, but how does that help when we give permits on properties? Are they going to have to wear a sandwich board?"
Heinen said his agency has no reports of retaliation.
Stepp's bill would need approval from both houses of the Legislature and Gov. Jim Doyle before it could become law.
My suggestion to our reps in all levels of government is stop making new laws like this. The DNR is mentioned as the agency in need of reform but this proposed law will not fix the problems with that agency.
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