Good morning from Madison, where Wisconsin lawmakers are set to consider several hastily introduced bills that would curb the power of the incoming governor and attorney general, who are both Democrats. 
Wisconsin Republicans scrambled lawmakers to the Capitol to consider bills that would curb the authority of the newly elected Democratic governor and attorney general. Here’s our first look at the controversy brewing in Madison: nytimes.com/2018/12/03/us/… With @monicadavey1.
A committee hearing on the bills will start in about 20 minutes in a not-so-spacious room at the Wisconsin Capitol. Dozens of people have already turned out to testify.
Earlier today, a large donkey figurine was loaded onto a moving truck outside the Wisconsin Capitol. Make of that what you will.
We’re off to a poky start in Madison. It was just announced that the hearing will start at 1 instead of 12:30. One woman is not pleased and tried to start a “12:30” chant. It didn’t catch on.
Wisconsin Republicans have defended these bills as a needed check on executive power. Democrats have laughed at that, and called it a blatant power grab in the waning days of full Republican control. We're expecting a contentious couple days in Madison.
The push for these bills started soon after Gov. Scott Walker, a Republican who briefly ran for president in 2016, lost his bid for a third term to Tony Evers, the Wisconsin schools superintendent. Here's @monicadavey1 story on that closely watched race: nytimes.com/2018/11/07/us/…
Wisconsin was one of four Midwestern governorships that Democrats flipped last month, providing a check on Republican power in a region the party had dominated in recent years. nytimes.com/2018/11/08/us/…
This tweet from Wisconsin's incoming lieutenant governor pretty much sums up Democrats' position on the bills. He's encouraging residents to attend a rally this evening at the Capitol.
Here's how Republican leaders in the Wisconsin Legislature have framed the bills. They say it's a necessary check on executive power. Democrats have noted bitterly that similar concerns were not raised under a Republican governor and attorney general.
We’re 40 minutes past the scheduled start of a committee hearing on bills that would curb the power of Wisconsin’s incoming Democratic governor. Republican leaders have called an impromptu press conference. Hoping to find out the reason for the delay.
Republican leaders are defending the bills and downplaying the partisanship. Hecklers continue to interrupt them.
The crowd at the Capitol has grown larger and angrier. In the hallway outside the committee room, activists have chanted "Respect our votes, stop this coup" and "Shame, shame." Meanwhile, the meeting just started, 77 minutes late.
The hearing is underway. The room itself is mostly calm, but protesters have been loudly chanting and singing just outside. Representative Chris Taylor, a Democrat from Madison, harshly criticized the bills. “This is unprecedented what is happening here today,” she said.
If you're interested, the Wisconsin legislative hearing is streaming live online at wiseye.org/Live. Committee leaders said it will go as late as 9:30 CT.
It's testy in Madison. State Rep. John Nygren, a Republican co-chair of the committee, has ordered a man removed from the hearing. The guy yelled "fascist" on the way out. More from Nygren: "Do I have to make myself clear on clearing the room? Seriously? Do I?"
We're still waiting for public comment to start in Wisconsin. Dozens if not hundreds of people have gathered at the Capitol. Inside the hearing room, there's a very detailed explanation of each of the bills. Outside, protesters can be heard chanting "Republicans hate democracy."
As always in Wisconsin, there's been lots of great local coverage of the proposals to limit the power of the incoming Democratic governor and attorney general.
Wisconsin Democrats continue to vent about the legislation. “It’s fair to assume that this bill was only written because Republicans are sore losers,” said State Representative Katrina Shankland.
The Wisconsin Capitol has had its share of contentious debates in recent years. @monicadavey1 on curbs to public unions in 2011: nytimes.com/2011/02/17/us/…; @richoppel on more protests that year: nytimes.com/2011/02/28/us/…; and me on right-to-work in 2015: nytimes.com/2015/02/25/us/…
Nearly four hours past the scheduled start of this hearing, Wisconsin residents still haven’t had a chance to testify. The hallway chanting has stopped, but one man was just kicked out for complaining about the lack of public comment. “Sickened by this,” he said on the way out.
Republicans have had relatively little to say during the committee hearing. Democrats have been more quotable. "You guys are just going crazy here," said State Rep. Katrina Shankland. "It’s like gremlins past midnight."
Wisconsin Republicans are borrowing 2016 strategies from their North Carolina counterparts, who voted to curb the power of their incoming Democratic governor. @RichardFausset covered that debate: nytimes.com/2016/12/16/us/…
Gov.-elect Tony Evers, the Democrat whose powers would be curbed, submitted written testimony against the bills. “Wisconsinites expect more from our government than what is happening here today,” he wrote.
Protesters have gathered on the frigid steps of the Wisconsin Capitol as lawmakers continue their hearing inside. At least a couple hundred in attendance.
The scene in Madison.
As an aside, Wisconsin has a stunning Capitol building. Among my favorite to visit in the Midwest.
Republicans are maneuvering to maintain power. Democrats are angry and protesting in large numbers. The Wisconsin Capitol is again at the center of a debate about power, partisanship and the tense state of American politics. nytimes.com/2018/12/03/us/… With @monicadavey1.
All signs point to a late night in Wisconsin as citizen testimony continues on bills to curb the power of the new Democratic governor. Andy Olsen of Madison says Republicans have “rejected the basic fundamental ground rules of American democracy.”
Testimony continues almost six hours since the start of the hearing. Almost everyone talking is opposed. A Sheboygan native quoted the prophet Isaiah. A man from Wonewoc quoted Eisenhower. A woman from Oconomowoc said lawmakers were trying to "subvert the democratic process."
Currently at the microphone, a retired teacher from Milwaukee: “Stop cheating because you lost,” she said. “It’s such poor sportsmanship. Come on.”
It's almost 9 p.m., and the hearing room at the Wisconsin Capitol is still full. Resident after resident continues to testify, two minutes each. Everyone I've heard has been opposed. Republican leaders have suggested that they'll continue testimony until 9:30, then vote.
9:30 has come and gone, and the Wisconsin legislative hearing forges ahead. “I’m disgusted we even have to be here,” the most recent speaker said. Still haven’t heard anyone testify in favor, though I’ve missed a handful of speakers.
Public comment has ended, but the action is only getting started at the Wisconsin Capitol. “We’re here for the duration,” a committee chairman said after Democrats tried to end things for the night.
