I WONDER WHO IS ON THE "ARMAGEDDON" LIST??????

SOURCE: Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

Madison — If a disaster struck state government, killing scores of legislators or rendering them unable to serve, remaining lawmakers would know where to turn: Secret lists of up to seven qualified successors from each district.

That is one element of a wide-ranging disaster preparedness plan a state Assembly committee is expected to approve Thursday.

If, for some reason - terrorist attack, health pandemic, natural disaster - one-fourth of the Legislature could not serve, the secret successors would be tapped.

Other bills and a proposed constitutional change, which could not become law until 2011 at the earliest, also would allow the Legislature to hold "virtual" meetings over the Internet or in another location, if state government was moved because of a terrorist act or if travel to Madison was forbidden because of a pandemic or other emergency.

"It is very painful to think about it, but it's very necessary for us to further an idea to make sure this institution functions," said Sen. Robert Jauch (D-Poplar).

OK, let's start guessing who is on the list to replace Senator Olsen or Representative Ballweg from our district. Of course, we are not going to know who is on the list. According to the bill, the names would be kept secret. I wonder if the lawmakers will tell the people they put on their lists that they are on there. If I were to be placed on any such list, I would personally like to know that.

Overall, I think this legislation is a good idea, and it is overdue. It is something we should had in place after 9-11. While the odds of a terrorist attack are slim in Wisconsin, the odds are greater that an epidemic or natural disaster could occur. Even though you may have a problem with the way our state government is being run, continuity in the event something horrific happens is vital.