In Wisconsin we pride ourselves on our progressive traditions that often set the example for the rest of the country. In particular, Wisconsin has a reputation for strong ethics and disclosure laws, which result in clean and honest elections.
At the beginning of the legislative session, our first order of business was to pass comprehensive ethics and elections reform. In a bipartisan fashion, we worked with Governor Doyle and the state Senate to merge the existing State Elections and Ethics Boards into a new Government Accountability Board (GAB). The new board is comprised of six former elected judges, including former Court of Appeals Judge Dave Deininger of Monroe, who also is the former state representative and circuit court judge for Green County. The six judges will have independent authority to initiate and fully fund investigations of criminal and civil violations of the state's ethics, campaign finance and election laws. The board also is expected to review existing guidelines and rules.
As we're all aware, this spring's Supreme Court election was full of negative campaigning and big spending by special interest groups. Like you, I am discouraged and turned off by the "issue ads" that hit the airwaves, often run by mysterious groups just before Election Day.
Earlier this year, I cosponsored a bill authored by State Sen. Jon Erpenbach, Senate Bill 463, which would require increased disclosure for issue ads. Specifically, SB 463 would impose registration and reporting requirements for any individual or organization that, within 60 days of an election, makes any communication with regard to a candidate via the media.
The goal of this legislation is to shed light upon "issue ads," so that voters can make more informed decisions. In the most recent Supreme Court race, issue ads from businesses, unions, and advocacy groups accounted for 93 percent of the advertising expenditures through March 23, according to the Wisconsin State Journal. The problem is that those groups that ran the ads don't have to disclose who funds them.
Last week, GAB held a public hearing to begin its internal review process. The board voted to consider regulating the issue ads, citing the fact that candidates no longer control their elections. In the coming weeks the board will conduct a study to gather more information on changes that could be implemented.
I look forward to continuing to advocate for honest, clean, and open campaigns in Wisconsin. We should be proud of our state's history and reputation of strong ethics laws, and should do everything we can to ensure it remains a priority.
I want to hear from you, so please feel welcome to express your thoughts or let me know if I can be helpful to you in any way by calling (888) 534-0080, e-mailing me at Rep.Davis@legis.wi.gov or by writing or stopping by 308 North, State Capitol, Madison, WI 53708.
- Wisconsin State Rep. Brett Davis, R-Oregon, serves the 80th Assembly District, which includes all of Green County and portions of Rock, Dane and Lafayette counties.
At the beginning of the legislative session, our first order of business was to pass comprehensive ethics and elections reform. In a bipartisan fashion, we worked with Governor Doyle and the state Senate to merge the existing State Elections and Ethics Boards into a new Government Accountability Board (GAB). The new board is comprised of six former elected judges, including former Court of Appeals Judge Dave Deininger of Monroe, who also is the former state representative and circuit court judge for Green County. The six judges will have independent authority to initiate and fully fund investigations of criminal and civil violations of the state's ethics, campaign finance and election laws. The board also is expected to review existing guidelines and rules.
As we're all aware, this spring's Supreme Court election was full of negative campaigning and big spending by special interest groups. Like you, I am discouraged and turned off by the "issue ads" that hit the airwaves, often run by mysterious groups just before Election Day.
Earlier this year, I cosponsored a bill authored by State Sen. Jon Erpenbach, Senate Bill 463, which would require increased disclosure for issue ads. Specifically, SB 463 would impose registration and reporting requirements for any individual or organization that, within 60 days of an election, makes any communication with regard to a candidate via the media.
The goal of this legislation is to shed light upon "issue ads," so that voters can make more informed decisions. In the most recent Supreme Court race, issue ads from businesses, unions, and advocacy groups accounted for 93 percent of the advertising expenditures through March 23, according to the Wisconsin State Journal. The problem is that those groups that ran the ads don't have to disclose who funds them.
Last week, GAB held a public hearing to begin its internal review process. The board voted to consider regulating the issue ads, citing the fact that candidates no longer control their elections. In the coming weeks the board will conduct a study to gather more information on changes that could be implemented.
I look forward to continuing to advocate for honest, clean, and open campaigns in Wisconsin. We should be proud of our state's history and reputation of strong ethics laws, and should do everything we can to ensure it remains a priority.
I want to hear from you, so please feel welcome to express your thoughts or let me know if I can be helpful to you in any way by calling (888) 534-0080, e-mailing me at Rep.Davis@legis.wi.gov or by writing or stopping by 308 North, State Capitol, Madison, WI 53708.
- Wisconsin State Rep. Brett Davis, R-Oregon, serves the 80th Assembly District, which includes all of Green County and portions of Rock, Dane and Lafayette counties.
