During a special legislative session held after the November election and before new Gov. Tony Evers is sworn into office, the Republican-led Legislature approved changes to reduce the powers of the governor and attorney general. Democrats blasted the moves, saying they ignore the will of the voters. At press time the bills were under review by outgoing Gov. Scott Walker.

Opposes the changes

JoCasta Zamarripa

Representative (D-Milwaukee)

Supports the changes

Robin Vos

Assembly Speaker (R-Rochester)

What voters want

Z: “In the district I represent on the near south side of Milwaukee, there was historic voter turnout. My constituents went to the polls with a message for Wisconsin: It’s time for a change.”

V: “There is no mandate for (Evers’) agenda. He won the election and I congratulate him on that. But I certainly am not going to forget that the rest of Wisconsin, outside of the people who live in Dane County and Milwaukee, want to make sure that we have that balance.”

The agenda

Z: “Republicans heard that message when they lost every statewide election. Instead of listening to the people, they’ve decided their control is what matters most.”

V: “We should look at the balance of powers, make sure the things that were done under Gov. Walker remain. That’s what my voters elected me to do.”

What’s at stake

Z: “We want a government for the people above all else. This is a shameless power grab. This is not what democracy looks like.”

V: “My job is to make sure that the policies that have made Wisconsin successful stay on the books, and that we don’t roll back all of the reforms that have us as one of the most successful economies in the country.”