Cullen is back in the caucus

[dragonlady]

From the Journal-Sentinel:

State Sen. Tim Cullen rejoined the Senate Democratic caucus Friday, three days after quitting it because he felt snubbed in committee assignments.

Cullen, of Janesville, left the caucus Tuesday and said he was considering abandoning the Democratic Party to become an independent because Senate Majority Leader Mark Miller (D-Monona) was unwilling to give him a meaningful committee chairmanship.

On Friday, the two held a news conference announcing Miller was forming two new committees that Cullen would chair, one on small business and venture capital and one on mining. Cullen is also getting a seat on the Transportation Projects Commission and the Senate Committee on Health, Revenue, Tax Fairness and Insurance.

http://www.jsonline.com/newswatch/164056276.html

[Scuba]

1. Thanks for posting. Sounds like Cullen needs to be replaced with a true progressive. Prior to ...

... his tantrum, I as not aware of his background with the insurance industry, which raises lots of red flags for me.

[mzteris]

2. that and his obvious

me first mode of thinking. and immaturity.

I'm a little sad we caved on this. I know how important it was/is to have a majority. But don't negotiate with people like that, imo.

[dragonlady]

3. One important thing he didn't get

My understanding is that he wanted to be the chair of the committee on health, but that he isn't a fan of the Affordable Care Act. That would be quite problematic. Jon Erpenbach will be chair and have the power over what hearings are held, when votes are taken, and so on.