The Wisconsin Assembly has passed a bill that would ban county executives from serving concurrently in the Legislature.
The Republican bill stems from Democratic Winnebago County Executive Mark Harris' announcement he would run for an open Senate seat. The bill would require him to quit his $102,834 county job if elected. He would make $50,950 as a senator.
Republican Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, who introduced the bill, has raised issues with a county executive drawing two salaries from taxpayers and potential conflicts of interest.
Democrats criticize the move as purely partisan, saying it's aimed at keeping Harris from running for the Senate seat, which a Republican currently holds.
The bill cleared the Senate Tuesday. The Assembly passed it 53-40 Thursday, sending it to Gov. Scott Walker for signing.
