MADISON, Wis. (WTAQ) - A Democratic leader in the state Assembly wants her members to be on their best behavior.

Minority caucus chairwoman Kelda Helen Roys of Madison wants her 37 fellow Democrats to sign a covenant.

According to Milwaukee Journal Sentinel columnist Dan Bice, it says that Democrats will not disagree with each other in public unless the group thinks it’s appropriate – newer members must respond quickly to messages from veterans – and whatever is said in their secret caucuses will stay there.

Whoops – one representative already violated that credo by leaking the covenant. A member said it’s insulting, and Bice said some of them, “didn’t appreciate being treated like kindergarteners on their first day at school.”

Roys admitted going a little overboard, and members can make changes next week. As you might guess, Republicans had a field day with this one.

John Jagler – a former Milwaukee radio reporter who’s now the spokesman for Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald – said GOP lawmakers already know what to do, and they don’t need a covenant. And Jagler said the Democrats could agree to maintain their hygiene.

He joked, “We would appreciate it on full session days.” Roys didn’t like that. She said Republicans should stay focused on jobs instead of, “internal business.”