Last week, Citizens for Responsible Government issued a press release that caught some attention. CRG is announcing their intent to lend assistance to citizens of the 4th district to set up a Recall Exploratory Committee on County Supervisor Marina Dimitrijevic. At this stage, CRG is not seeking an actual recall on Supervisor Dimitrijevic, but is willing to "explore whether sentiment exists to go to a recall" in her district.
The impetus for a recall is Supervisor Dimitrijevic's chronic history of voting for property tax increases. In fact, this month she voted against budget because tax increases were not high enough. Supervisor Debruin confirmed the fact by stating it was the first time she remembers supervisors voting against something because taxes were too low.
By raising property taxes more, Dimitrijevic increased the amount of money allocated to the contingency fund meant for unplanned county expenses. Some supervisors on the board believe she voted to put more money into the contingency fund so the unions could use it for pay raises or fewer furloughs.
Ultimately, a recall will depend upon how Dimitrijevic's constituents react to the tax hikes.
Earlier this month, it was reported that the Don Pridemore would introduce an immigration bill that closely resembles SB1070 of Arizona. Pridemore told a reporter, "I want Wisconsin to be recognized as a state that will be on the side of Arizona."
Okay, that's not the best rationale for introducing legislation, but it's a good way go get national attention. At some point, we have to consider what our priorities are. Our job creation is low and our unemployment is high. Governor-elect Scott Walker has the right idea and said that job creation and deficit reduction will be the agenda leading off the New Year.
On Pridemore's blog in June, he said, "This is a conversation that should have begun long ago before the illegal drug trade exacerbated the issue and now needs to be addressed ASAP.".
If an illegal drug trade is the main purpose for Pridemore's immigration bill, then he's probably better off writing legislation for Texas or New Mexico. Wisconsin is not a border state. There is no threat of a drug war spilling into Kenosha, nor is there a threat of drug cartels kidnapping our children.
Remember, Arizona passed an immigration law because the federal government had failed to protect their borders for years. For Wisconsin to a pass similar law when it's not a border state would be a misappropriation of duty. The first item on the GOP agenda should be expanding School Choice, repealing Combined Reporting and stopping high speed rail. By pushing for immigration legislation, Wisconsin's GOP also risks creating a greater divide between them and the local Hispanic community.
Maybe Rep. Pridemore just wants to make sure all those people from the North aren't able to "sneak" over the border and receive the best healthcare in the world....