Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker

[wiphan]

Originally Posted by Riot

We are not talking about if the power plants should be sold or not. It is about who has the right, in your state, to sell them.

That power currently, legally, is the legislature. As all budget items are.

Walker's bill tries to make it his own power, with no supervision. That's a really, really big deal, regarding the state Constitution and state law. It's not something that can be changed on the whim of one governor trying to acquire power. Nor should it be - you can't have a governor who just decides to sell of state assets such as land, buildings, etc at his pleasure. Those constitutional items controlling Wisconsin's government exist to protect the state. To prevent the changing of laws on a whim as you talk about.

For example, today Walker said he wanted the Democratic senators arrested on contempt charges. Thank goodness the Dems are legally protected from the whim of a Governor trying to use the police for his political advantage.

Some laws can indeed be changed on a whim, as the political parties change, but other basic freedoms and laws to protect everyone in the state equally cannot. Thankfully!

This is straight from the bill:
Currently, this state owns and operates numerous heating, cooling, and power
plants that were constructed by the state to provide heating, cooling, and power to
state facilities. The Department of Administration (DOA) determines the method of
operation of these plants and may delegate this authority to any other state agency
that has managing authority for a plant. This bill permits DOA to sell or contract
for the operation of any such plant. The bill exempts such sales and contracts from
the requirement for approval of the Public Service Commission (PSC) that may
otherwise apply under current law. The bill provides that the net proceeds of any
sale, after retirement of any outstanding state debt and any necessary repayment of
federal financial assistance, is deposited in the budget stabilization fund. The bill
also allows DOA, at any time, to petition the PSC to regulate as a public utility any
person who purchases or contracts for the operation of any plant under the bill.
Under current law, the PSC has regulatory authority over public utilities, including
the authority to set rates for utility service.

Let's be real does Walker really have the power to do anything he wants with the power plants? or are there other departments etc that are involved. Please read the bill