Kennedy defends GAB at legislative hearing

A legislative hearing on a bill to dismantle Wisconsin’s Government Accountability Board drew conflicting opinions on the elections agency’s effectiveness, with discussion turning testy at times.

GAB director Kevin Kennedy gave a spirited defense of the almost 8-year-old board, saying the real goal is to exert more political control over an independent arm of the government, which he said would weaken regulation and lead to more corruption going undetected.

Taking questions from lawmakers, Kennedy was asked about his relationship with Lerner by Brookfield Republican Sen.

Republicans, however, claim the GAB has favored Democrats – especially with its role in the former John Doe probe into the recall elections against Governor Scott Walker and GOP senators a few years ago. One would be in charge of elections and the other in charge of ethics.

“Seriously?” Kennedy said. “Have you no decency?”

“The only thing the GAB has been consistent about is being inconsistent”, Vukmir said. “I owe you no explanation about my personal relationships”.

Sen. Leah Vukmir of Wauwatosa spoke during a hearing at the Capitol this morning.

Zamarripa says she fears the bill could spark a return to what she called the dark days of state government.

The change is being pushed by Republicans who feel the present board, made in 2008, has been one-sided for Democrats.

“Sometimes you have to look at what you do, and realize we can fix it and make it better”, she said.

Critics of the proposed changes like Milwaukee Democratic Rep. Jocasta Zamaripa said partisan boards are unlikely to aggressively enforce laws.

Republicans have said they plan to pass the legislation out of the Assembly and Senate by November.