Wisconsin Republicans Go Nine Months Without Passing A Law, Costing Taxpayers $10 Million

     Nine months. 270+ days. That's how long it has been since Wisconsin's Republican-controlled legislature passed a law. Governor Tony Evers, a Democrat, has had to rely mostly on executive power to make any progress. 

     It did not have to be this way. In 2011, Governor Scott Walker redrew election maps to make sure a Republican could not lose, and for nearly a dozen years this hold has continued. Done at a private law firm by those sworn to an oath of secrecy, this act disenfranchised millions of Wisconsin voters. One of Evers' top priorities is creating a bipartisan redistricting committee during the next session to ensure that more progress can be made.

     The legislators are paid approximately $55,000 per year, meaning nearly $5.5 million has been paid to legislators who have done no work. This does not factor in their employees and the cost of running government offices and buildings. It is expected to get worse: in two years, Republicans have never attended a special session called by Evers.