MADISON — Republican state lawmakers are seeking co-sponsors to a fast-tracked bill backed by Governor Scott Walker to overhaul the state's civil service system, making it easier to hire and fire state employees.
Senator Roger Roth (R-Appleton) and Assembly Majority Leader Jim Steineke (R-Kaukauna) on Monday, September 28th circulated the bill with a deadline of Thursday to sign on as co-sponsors. Republican legislative leaders have said they want to vote on the measure next month.
The bill would speed up the hiring process, list infractions that would result in immediate firing of a state worker and do away with the current exam process for one focused on the applicant's resume.
Opponents say the changes to the 100-year-old civil service system will open the door to political cronyism.
The bill's sponsors call the changes "common sense reforms."
A statement from Rep. Steineke's office reads as follows: