Madison and county officials and the League of Wisconsin Municipalities were still reviewing the proposal this week. The League has taken no formal position, but offered a cool, first-blush response.

“It seems to be a sledge hammer solution in search of a mosquito problem,” said Jerry Deschane, executive director. “I’m not aware that any of the proposed-to-be-prohibited local government decisions have prevented any business anywhere in Wisconsin from prospering.”

Madison City Attorney Mike May said “the biggest impact is a complete elimination of a number of protected classes under Madison’s Equal Opportunity Ordinance. ... For example, Madison prohibits discrimination based on student status, citizenship, or being a victim of domestic violence or abuse. Under this law, those people would be fair game for discriminatory practices, and Madison could not do anything about it.”

Pertl said county nondiscrimination rules are similarly broader than the state’s.

Dane County and Madison have also taken steps to move toward a $15 minimum wage for government workers, and Pertl and May said the legislation could limit their ability to require certain wage levels for contracted employees. The state’s minimum wage of $7.25 an hour is the same as the federal minimum wage.