Empower Wisconsin | Jan. 13, 2020

MADISON — Only a long-time educrat turned governor would say he’s assigning “homework” to the Legislature. 

Leave it to Gov. Tony Evers. 

The governor last week laid out his agenda for the abbreviated session ahead. He played on the idea that he was the old teacher giving his rambunctious charges in the Republican-led Legislature their “homework” — passing the bills Evers is pushing. 

It’s the standard grow-government stuff taxpayers have come to expect from the Democrat. Some of the proposals, like a $10 million water quality program and more money for the homeless, undoubtedly will find bi-partisan support. 

But the governor’s condescending demand that lawmakers stay at their desks until they pass his more-spending agenda through didn’t sit well with the Republican lawmakers he has spent the past year feuding with — the ones he has referred to as amoral bastards. 

“I thought I had a good meeting with the governor last week where we discussed priorities. But giving a coequal branch of government ‘homework’ in a condescending letter won’t help him grow support for an agenda with Senate Republicans,” Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau) wrote in a tweet. “The tone of this letter is ridiculous.” 

I thought I had a good meeting with the governor last week where we discussed priorities. But giving a coequal branch of government “homework” in a condescending letter won’t help him grow support for an agenda with Senate Republicans. The tone of this letter is ridiculous. https://t.co/qrxopm1baE

— Rep. Scott Fitzgerald (@RepFitzgerald) January 9, 2020

“Just checked Article V of the Wisconsin Constitution and did not find ‘authority to assign homework’ under Powers and duties’ … #CivicsClass,” Sen. Dave Craig (R-Town of Vernon) mused on his Twitter account. 

By the way, the whole old teacher schtick is mainly nonsense. Evers hasn’t taught in years. Before being elected governor, he served as state education superintendent for a decade. Before that he worked in administration for Wisconsin school districts.