No GOP signatures on Dem’s ADA letter
“It costs the state nothing and only asks for those in power to be considerate of Representative Anderson’s disability.” Excerpt of letter
MADISON - Republican colleagues of a paralyzed lawmaker haven’t signed a letter urging the state Assembly’s leader to allow the Democrat to call in to meetings when he’s unable to attend in person.
All 36 Democratic members of the Assembly signed a letter dated Aug. 8 asking the house’s Republican leaders to provide accommodations for Rep. Jimmy Anderson, which they say are reasonable and fall under requirements of the American Disabilities Act. None of the 63 Republicans attached their names to the letter.
Anderson also is asking Assembly Speaker Robin Vos to prohibit lawmakers from convening in floor sessions that stretch overnight unless there is an emergency purpose for doing so, to conduct business during reasonable hours and to assign an ADA coordinator to determine which accommodations requests should be granted.
“It costs the state nothing and only asks for those in power to be considerate of Representative Anderson’s disability,” the letter reads.
Anderson was paralyzed from the chest down in 2010 after a drunken driver collided with the vehicle he was traveling in, permanently injuring him and killing his family members.
The Fitchburg lawmaker wants to be able to call in to committee meetings when he has difficulty attending them in person for health reasons associated with his disability and to bar lawmakers from meeting overnight, which could prevent Anderson from being able to participate.
On Aug. 8, Anderson sent an email to all Assembly lawmakers seeking their signature on the letter by Monday. In the email, he said the letter would serve as a final request “before moving forward with legal action.”
An aide to Anderson said Wednesday no Republicans had signed the letter by the deadline or replied with questions.
Vos opposes providing the accommodation and has accused Anderson of “political grandstanding” by bringing his criticism of the rules to reporters instead of to him.
Vos said he would provide Anderson with a recording of the hearings and meetings he misses but would not allow phoned-in attendance.
In a letter sent earlier this month to Anderson, Vos said he would also explore allowing committee members to vote by ballots that would be submitted after meetings instead of having them vote at meetings in person.
The letter detailed accommodations the Assembly has made for Anderson, including spending $3,700 on a wireless microphone at Anderson’s desk in the Assembly chamber. In addition, an aide to Anderson has been reimbursed for cab fare when he has driven Anderson home, according to Vos.
Vos also said having lawmakers call in to meetings is disrespectful to members of the public who attend the meetings. The state Senate does not have such rules.
But Anderson said by not allowing him to call in to meetings he cannot attend because of a disability he can’t help, Vos is denying his participation in the legislative process and violating the spirit of the ADA.
“Whether this law existed or not, I would hope that my colleagues would show me the smallest modicum of consideration given my limitations and support my fight for these very basic accommodations,” Anderson said in a statement Wednesday. “But none of my Republican colleagues have stepped up to do the right thing.”
Aides to Assembly Republican leadership did not immediately respond to questions about the request.
Anderson