Anyone who lives in the 80th Assembly District knows how pervasive third-party "issue ads" have become in Wisconsin political campaigns. You haven't forgotten the "(Place name of Democrat) supports health care for illegal aliens" ads already, have you?
Those third-party groups don't have to follow the same disclosure laws as the candidates, as long as their ads advocate a particular issue rather than for or against a specific candidate. Yet everyone knows Wisconsin Right to Life, for example, was hoping to influence votes when they said "Tell John Waelti his pro-abortion views are wrong for Wisconsin."
As the Associated Press pointed out, third-party groups outspent candidates in many instances for last Tuesday's election.
The Government Accountability Board is working to strengthen the rules these groups play by, and its efforts should be supported by lawmakers. The board on Tuesday proposed new rules that essentially would force third-party groups to live by the same rules of disclosure as candidates. They would have to register with the board, and would have to disclose who is giving them money.
The disclosure requirements would apply to groups that spend money within 60 days of a general election or 30 days of a primary to influence the outcome.
Any political communication - including television ads and phone calls - that mentions a candidate's personal qualities or supports or condemns his or her stance on issues or public record would be regulated.
While opponents will argue the rules limit free speech, they don't - they simply allow voters to know who is speaking. That would be a welcome change.
Those third-party groups don't have to follow the same disclosure laws as the candidates, as long as their ads advocate a particular issue rather than for or against a specific candidate. Yet everyone knows Wisconsin Right to Life, for example, was hoping to influence votes when they said "Tell John Waelti his pro-abortion views are wrong for Wisconsin."
As the Associated Press pointed out, third-party groups outspent candidates in many instances for last Tuesday's election.
The Government Accountability Board is working to strengthen the rules these groups play by, and its efforts should be supported by lawmakers. The board on Tuesday proposed new rules that essentially would force third-party groups to live by the same rules of disclosure as candidates. They would have to register with the board, and would have to disclose who is giving them money.
The disclosure requirements would apply to groups that spend money within 60 days of a general election or 30 days of a primary to influence the outcome.
Any political communication - including television ads and phone calls - that mentions a candidate's personal qualities or supports or condemns his or her stance on issues or public record would be regulated.
While opponents will argue the rules limit free speech, they don't - they simply allow voters to know who is speaking. That would be a welcome change.
