Pocan resolution on gallery rules rejected

WisPolitics.com's Quorum Call


Tuesday, October 25, 2011
10:29 PM Pocan resolution on gallery rules rejected


Rep. Mark Pocan proposed a resolution he said would protect free speech rights for the public in the Capitol -- particularly the Assembly gallery.

“People have a free speech right to be able to come and watch us, and to peacefully protest,” said Pocan, D-Madison.

Pocan, who's departing the Legislature to run for Congress next year, said he's enjoyed his tenure in the Assembly and that the chamber needs to get back to normalcy. He added that he feels for the freshman lawmakers in the current session.

“This year should in no way be representative of what this body's supposed to be,” Pocan said.

Several other Dems spoke at length in favor of the resolution.

Rep. Dean Knudson, R-Hudson, responded that no one is restricting anyone's right to come to the Capitol with a sign, but that the place for that expression isn't in the Assembly gallery.

The measure was turned away on a 57-37 vote.

http://quorumcall.wispolitics.com/2011/10/pocan-resolution-on-gallery-rules.html

So much for free speech!