LRB-2085/1
RAC:amn&emw
2017 - 2018 LEGISLATURE
February 8, 2017 - Introduced by Representative Kessler. Referred to Committee
on Assembly Organization.
AR4,1,3 1Relating to: prohibiting the Committee on Assembly Organization from entering
2into contracts for private legal services and authorizing the expenditure of
3public funds for private legal services related to legislative redistricting.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
The resolution prohibits the Committee on Assembly Organization from
entering into any contract for private legal services or authorizing the expenditure
of public funds to pay for private legal services related to legislative redistricting.
AR4,1,74 Whereas, on November 21, 2016, the U.S. District Court for the Western
5District of Wisconsin ruled in Whitford v. Gill that Wisconsin's Assembly Districts
6enacted by 2011 Act 43 are unconstitutional due to partisan political
7gerrymandering; and
AR4,1,108 Whereas, on January 27, 2017, the U.S. District Court for the Western District
9of Wisconsin unanimously ordered the state to redraw legislative maps by November
101, 2017; and
AR4,2,5
1Whereas, on February 2, 2017, the Committee on Assembly Organization voted
25-3 via paper ballot to authorize the hiring of Kirkland & Ellis LLP and Bell Giftos
3St. John LLC and any other firms, entities, or counsel deemed necessary for services
4related to the matter of Whitford v. Gill and legislative redistricting and all ancillary
5matters; and
AR4,2,76 Whereas, the February 2, 2017, authorization contained no cap on costs or
7payment disclosure requirements; and
AR4,2,108 Whereas, taxpayers of the state of Wisconsin have already paid $2,100,000 in
9legal costs incurred from 2011 to 2013 related to the development and defense of the
10unconstitutional 2011 Act 43 maps; and
AR4,2,1311 Whereas, taxpayers are already paying legal costs incurred by the Wisconsin
12Department of Justice as it appeals the unconstitutional maps to the Supreme Court
13of the United States; and
AR4,2,1514 Whereas, blank checks issued by the legislature to pay legal fees are not in the
15public interest of being good stewards of taxpayer dollars; now, therefore, be it
AR4,2,19 16Resolved by the assembly, That the Committee on Assembly Organization
17may not enter into any contract for private legal services or authorize the
18expenditure of public funds to pay for private legal services related to legislative
19redistricting.
AR4,2,2020 (End)
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