MADISON - On Thursday, July 16th, Representative Dana Wachs (D-Eau Claire) introduced two proposals that would help to restore Wisconsin’s once proud tradition of fair, honest government.

The first proposal would stop the “Revolving Door” of legislators leaving their positions and then immediately becoming employed as lobbyists by prohibiting them from doing so for two years from the date they leave office.

The “Revolving Door” proposal was introduced by Rep. Wachs during the previous session and received bi-partisan support. However, it was not brought before either the Assembly or Senate for a vote or even given a public hearing.

“This proposal will close the revolving door for legislators to become lobbyists and will ensure that the people who are elected to serve and represent us will not just ‘cash in’ for a high-paying special interest job at the earliest opportunity,” said Wachs. “Several other states have a ‘cooling off’ period for former legislators. We should do the right thing and take away this tool from powerful corporate special interests in Wisconsin.”

The second proposal introduced by Rep. Wachs is a Joint Resolution that would create an advisory referendum for the 2016 general election. The referendum would ask Wisconsin voters whether the Legislature should adopt a nonpartisan system for redistricting of legislative and congressional districts in Wisconsin.

“Wisconsin’s current system of redistricting is being used to consolidate long-term legislative control in a partisan manner,” added Wachs. “This practice frustrates the ability of voters to be heard. This referendum will give Wisconsin voters an opportunity to tell us how they want to be represented.”

With the recent Federal and State appellate court decisions that have addressed gerrymandering in other states, it is time we give Wisconsin voters a voice on this issue.

This proposal also received bi-partisan support during the previous session, but was not given a public hearing. A motion to bring this bill to the Assembly floor was rejected on a party-line vote.

“I look forward to discussing these proposals with my Legislative colleagues,” said Wachs. “Wisconsin has a proud tradition of fair and honest government that has been tarnished over the last few years. We can rise above corporate special interests and hyper-partisanship and give our state back to the people of Wisconsin.”