Bill to give governor new power on rules advances

By Patrick Marley of the Journal Sentinel
Feb. 10, 2011 6:44 p.m. | Madison — The state Senate voted Thursday to hand some power over to the governor in establishing rules that have the force of law.

The bill passed, 18-14, along party lines and now goes back to the Assembly so that house can consider changes made by the Senate. The Assembly - which like the Senate is controlled by Republicans - first passed the bill last week.

GOP Gov. Scott Walker called for the change to the administrative rules process as part of a special session he called last month.

Administrative rules are used to implement state laws. Now, they are proposed by state agencies and reviewed by the Legislature. Under the bill, the governor would sign off on bills before sending them to the Legislature.

Most state agencies are already controlled by the governor, but the bill would give the governor a say for the first time in rules written by the Department of Justice and Department of Public Instruction, which are overseen by independently elected constitutional officers. »Read Full Article(44)http://www.jsonline.com/newswatch/115787174.htm