Rs have their priorities straight

Republicans continue to block legislation to expand the state’s home heating assistance program and help 30,000 Wisconsin families keep their homes warm this winter. They have refused to act on the bill even though Gov. Jim Doyle called a special session to try to get their attention, and this week, on a party-line vote, the Rs all voted against pulling the bill from committee for a vote on the Senate floor.

Democrats knew they'd so that, of course, but it's always useful to get a roll call. If and when the bill gets scheduled is totally up to the Rs, who control both houses.

But how could they take up the heating bill when there was so much other important work to do in the final weeks of the session?

Why, just this week the Senate passed State Sen. Tom Reynolds' bill to bar lawsuits over obesity. It's not a problem yet (none have been filed in Wisconsin), but obviously the potential is there, if you look at how many fat cheeseheads there are. The Senate also voted 19-13 to pass a bill by State Sen. Alan Lasee, to exempt a Kewanuee County man from DNR rules and let him keep a shed on a wetland.

And let's not forget the Potluck Protection Act, which has passed, so it won't have to be considered as a constitutional amendment. (Yes, a D introduced it, but the Rs put it on the calendar.)

Work, work, work. No wonder there's no time to worry about poor people's heating bills.