Wisconsin State Senate Would Be Wrong To Allow NFL Teams’ To Run Red Lights On Way To Lambeau Field

I have often stated, even though I can be critical of certain elected officials, that the vast majority of legislators are hard working and earnest people. That goes for both sides of the political aisle.   I advocated for a pay raise for Wisconsin legislators in the past year.  I am never one to bemoan the work they do in large broad strokes as so many do in our state.  I know public service is a noble thing to engage in.

But frankly today I am real close to understanding why others feel very differently than I do on these matters.

I am appalled at the work that is being done in the Wisconsin State Senate to pass a bill so that NFL teams will be allowed to  run red lights on their way to Lambeau Field in Green Bay.  I am not kidding!  There are issues about health care and employment that could be addressed but our elected members in Wisconsin are dealing with weighter issues, such as how NFL teams might be troubled if they had to sit in traffic.  Worse yet, it seems to me that favored treatment is being granted to one specific business in Appleton, which I think is totally inappropriate.

There are truly large and cumbersome public policy issues that could be dealt with but our elected officals are working to make sure the Vikings and Bears do not have to wait in traffic on the way to play a  silly football game!!

Maybe I need to rethink my objection to a part-time legislature! 

The bill would permit police to escort any vehicle processions through red lights.  

Police asked for the bill to clarify whether they could escort processions through stoplights. So did the Radisson Paper Valley Hotel in Appleton, where Green Bay Packer opponents stay. The hotel wants the bill to ensure teams get a smoother ride to Lambeau Field — and keep the teams coming to their hotel.