Wisconsin Democrats have control of the Legislature, and the governor's mansion. For the most part, the Democratic Party can do as it wishes in state politics.
If Democrats wanted true campaign finance reform, they could pass it now. Instead, the state Assembly will be considering a plan Wednesday that, while a step in the right direction, is watered down and weak.
The Assembly likely will vote Wednesday on a rule that would prohibit representatives from raising campaign funds during the state budgeting process. The ban would be in place from the time the governor submits a budget proposal until a final plan is approved.
One problem with the measure is that it's a rule, and not a law, meaning there are no penalties for violations. The other problem is that the ban would apply only to the Assembly, and not the Senate or the governor.
Gov. Jim Doyle said he supports a law that applies to everyone.
Rep. Brett Davis, R-Oregon, voiced his sentiment last week (Monroe Times, Jan. 26) that the ban should be a law, applicable to the entire Legislature and the governor. He said the ban should be extended to Jan. 1 of a year a budget would be proposed.
Those are obvious steps that would be taken if the Legislature as a whole, and the Democratic Party in particular, were serious about reforming campaign financing.
Instead, half steps are taken, and lawmakers already are furiously patting themselves on the back.
"This is going to be the most significant campaign finance and budget reform in a generation," Assembly Majority Leader Tom Nelson, D-Kaukauna, said.
Unfortunately, he may be right about that. The budget fund-raising ban may be the most significant step in campaign finance reform taken in a long time. But Nelson's party, the party in charge, could have done so much more.
If Democrats wanted true campaign finance reform, they could pass it now. Instead, the state Assembly will be considering a plan Wednesday that, while a step in the right direction, is watered down and weak.
The Assembly likely will vote Wednesday on a rule that would prohibit representatives from raising campaign funds during the state budgeting process. The ban would be in place from the time the governor submits a budget proposal until a final plan is approved.
One problem with the measure is that it's a rule, and not a law, meaning there are no penalties for violations. The other problem is that the ban would apply only to the Assembly, and not the Senate or the governor.
Gov. Jim Doyle said he supports a law that applies to everyone.
Rep. Brett Davis, R-Oregon, voiced his sentiment last week (Monroe Times, Jan. 26) that the ban should be a law, applicable to the entire Legislature and the governor. He said the ban should be extended to Jan. 1 of a year a budget would be proposed.
Those are obvious steps that would be taken if the Legislature as a whole, and the Democratic Party in particular, were serious about reforming campaign financing.
Instead, half steps are taken, and lawmakers already are furiously patting themselves on the back.
"This is going to be the most significant campaign finance and budget reform in a generation," Assembly Majority Leader Tom Nelson, D-Kaukauna, said.
Unfortunately, he may be right about that. The budget fund-raising ban may be the most significant step in campaign finance reform taken in a long time. But Nelson's party, the party in charge, could have done so much more.
