Reform Update
October 31, 2012
CONTACT:
Jay Heck – 608/256-2686
Happy Halloween!
- Statewide Toll Free Number for Election Information/Protection
- Five Wisconsin Legislators Must Surrender All ALEC-Related E-Mails for Public Inspection
- Reform Forums in Green Bay and La Crosse Bring Many Citizens Together With Legislators and Activists
1. As many as three million Wisconsinites or more are expected to vote next Tuesday -- November 6th -- in the historic election for President, the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, and for the Wisconsin Legislature. Passions and emotions about these elections may run high and so too may the temptation for some to harass, intimidate, or try to discourage some voters from participating in this most basic and sacred act of citizenship. Fortunately, there is a place voters can turn if they have any questions about voting or if they encounter any problems at the polls. Common Cause in Wisconsin is partnering with the nation’s largest
nonpartisan Voter Protection coalition, led by the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, and we are here to help. Election Protection wants to ensure that voters are equipped with the information needed when they head to the polls, and we expect continued confusion over whether or not Wisconsin voters will be required to present government-issue photo identification. Although the requirement was signed into law last year, a Dane County Circuit Court judge ordered a permanent injunction on the law on March 6, 2012 which halted implementation of the ID requirement.
Wisconsin voters WILL NOT be required to present photo ID in order to vote a regular ballot. If you arrive at the polls and are asked to show photo ID, you can call call1-866-OUR-VOTE.
Election Protection’s highly-trained legal volunteers are available to assist voters with any questions or problems, no matter how simple or complex. Voters may call 1-866-OUR-VOTE (1-866-687-8683) toll-free with any questions or issues that may arise. This English language hotline is available now and will be staffed live from 9AM– 8PM CST on Election Day. Spanish-speaking voters may seek assistance through the 1-888-VE-Y-VOTA (1-888-839-8682) hotline.
2. Yesterday, five Wisconsin state legislators agreed to turn over any and all correspondence and documents related to the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) and held on their personal email accounts. The action settles a lawsuit brought by the Center for Media and Democracy and Common Cause, and is a significant victory for the citizens of Wisconsin and their ability to inspect all public records, including the personal e-mail of legislators and staff with respect to public policy. The Wisconsin Attorney General’s office will conduct the agreed-upon document search. For more on this huge victory for transparency, go here.
3. On October 15th in Green Bay and then again, on October 22nd in La Crosse -- citizens, legislators, and reform activists (and opponents) gathered to learn about, discuss, debate and attempt to come to some consensus over what steps should be taken to clean up Wisconsin politics and bring back "good government" to our state, which was once the national model for honest, clean and accountable state government. No longer. But through the more than 30 "Reform Forums" Common Cause in Wisconsin has organized all over the state during the past several years, more and more Wisconsinites are demonstrating concern and then demanding real achieveable political reform of the corrupt status quo.
In Green Bay, more than 125 citizens gathered to interact with panelists State Senator Dave Hansen (D-Green Bay), UW-Green Bay Professor Mike Kraft, CC/WI Board Member and Door County Broadcaster Roger Utnehmer and CC/WI Director Jay Heck. State Senator Rob Cowles and State Representatives Chad Weininger (R-Green Bay), John Klenke (R-Green Bay) and Jim Steineke (R-Kaukauna) were all invited to be panelists but declined.
In La Crosse a week later, citizens and UW-La Crosse students interacted with panelists State Representatives Jill Billings (D-La Crosse) Steve Doyle (D-Onalaska, CC/WI Board Member and former Republican Sate Representative David Martin and Jay Heck. State Senator Jennifer Schilling (D-La Crosse), former State Senator Dan Kapanke (R-La Crosse), and State Representative Lee Nerison (R-Westby) were all invited to be panelists but declined.
At both forums, a consensus developed about two effective political reforms, both with bipartisan support, that could be introduced, passed and signed into law in relatively short order in early 2013: redistricting reform and the disclosure of the donors of the many outside spending groups who are spending millions of dollars of special interest money for mainly negative TV and radio ads and who have managed to escape having to tell Wisconsin voters who provides the money for these obnoxious communications. Last year CC/WI took the major role in developing legislation that would reform the current partisan secretive redistricting process and in forcing disclosure of outside election-oriented communications. Both measures had bipartisan support and CC/WI was the only reform organization to actually develop and have introduced into the Wisconsin Legislature, political reform measures.
Both are ready for introduction and action in early 2013.
For a news account of the Green Bay forum, go here.
Jay Heck, Executive Director
Common Cause in Wisconsin
152 W. Johnson St., Suite 212
Madison, WI 53703
608/256-2686
Want Good Government?
Join Common Cause in Wisconsin!
Holding Power Accountable Since 1972
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Reform Update
October 22, 2012
CONTACT:
Jay Heck – 608/256-2686
- Reform Forum This Evening at UW-La Crosse Follows Big Gathering at UW-Green Bay Last Week
- Costly and Critical: The Pivotal Contest for a Wisconsin U.S. Senate Seat Between Tammy Baldwin and Tommy Thompson
- Wisconsin Congressional Candidate Cash on the Rise, Too
1. This evening, prior to the beginning of the last debate between President
Barack Obama and challenger
Mitt Romney, CC/WI will hold another "Reform Forum" at UW-La Crosse. Reform advocates and legislators will discuss what needs to be done to begin to clean up Wisconsin politics and make it worthy of our past reputation as the nation's "laboratory for democracy." For all the details, go
here.
Last week, at Green Bay's reform forum, more than 125 citizens and students took part in another very lively discussion and exchange that went into "overtime" because of continuing audience interest. You can view televised coverage of the UWGB event
here.
Over the last year, similar forums have been held in Milwaukee, Sheboygan, Oshkosh and Wausau.
2. This year's election to fill the seat of retiring U.S. Democratic Senator Herb Kohl is one of the most expensive in the nation and one of the most critical in determining which political party will control the United States Senate. Ruth Coniff's cover story in the November issue of The Progressive magazine explores the race between Democratic U.S. Representative Tammy Baldwin and former Wisconsin Republican Governor Tommy Thompson and features extensive commentary from CC/WI on what the race means and how much it is costing.
3. Likewise, there is an increasing amount of campaign cash being raised and spent in some of Wisconsin's elections for the U.S. House of Representatives this year. CC/WI estimates that the race in the 7th Congressional District between one-term incumbent, Sean Duffy, and his Democratic challenger, former State Senator Pat Kreitlow, will be the most costly in Wisconsin's history for a U.S. House seat. One of Wisconsin's top political writers and investigative reporters, Bill Lueders, looks at the money in Wisconsin Congressional elections here and here with commentary from CC/WI.
Jay Heck, Executive Director
Common Cause in Wisconsin
152 W. Johnson St., Suite 212
Madison, WI 53703
608/256-2686
Want Good Government?
Join Common Cause in Wisconsin!
Holding Power Accountable Since 1972
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Press Release
October 17, 2012
CONTACT:
Jay Heck – 608/256-2686
PUBLIC FORUM AT UW-LA CROSSE
TO FOCUS ON CRITICAL CAMPAIGN AND ELECTION REFORM ISSUES
Monday Evening, October 22nd
6:00 - 7:30 PM
University of Wisconsin at La Crosse
Student Union - Port 'O Call Room
1725 State Street, La Crosse, WI
Before watching the third and final presidential debate next Monday night, join us for a 90-minute discussion about vital campaign and election reforms needed right here in Wisconsin. Common Cause in Wisconsin held a similar forum this past Monday night at UW-Green Bay where a large turnout of over 120 students, area citizens, members of local advocacy groups and the press engaged in a passionate, yet civil discussion of these important issues. (For more on this event, go
here.)
Why is it so important that we talk about campaign finance, voter photo ID, redistricting and disclosure of money in politics right now?
Because we are in the midst of the most expensive: 1) U.S. Presidential; 2) U.S. Senate; 3) Congressional; and 4) State Legislative Elections in the history of the United States and in Wisconsin. These contests, to be decided on the 6th of November, follow the most expensive (Wisconsin) recall elections in the history of the nation earlier this year and last year. All of these elections are also among the most secretive in history – with millions of dollars of special interest money being spent to influence voters without the voters having the slightest idea who was providing the huge sums of campaign cash.
Over the last two years, Wisconsin – a state once known as the “laboratory of democracy” – has undergone tumultuous change in the way it conducts elections and considers public policy. As a result, the core political fabric of Wisconsin – once heralded as a national model – has been dramatically transformed.
Are these changes detrimental to our state’s political process or were they needed and will they improve it?
Tens of millions of dollars are being spent by outside interest groups on advertising leading up to this year's general election. But the citizens of Wisconsin are still in the dark about who is really behind much of this avalanche of “outside” campaign spending and the constant barrage of interest group “phony issue ads” we're seeing during this election season.
Is this lack of disclosure a protection of "free speech" or is it a perversion of democracy? Do citizens have the right to know who is paying for these ads?
In 2011, Wisconsin experienced the most secretive, partisan redistricting process the state has ever seen – resulting in dramatically less competitive voting districts. Should redistricting be taken out of the hands of partisan legislators and put into the hands of a non-partisan entity to draw congressional and legislative voting districts?
And what about Wisconsin’s photo voter ID law – the most extreme and restrictive such measure enacted into law in the nation? It has been blocked by the courts and is not in effect for the upcoming November election. Is it needed? Is there really voter fraud or is this a voter suppression measure?
Prior to 2011, public financing of statewide and legislative elections helped ensure that our legislators and our state’s highest court were beholden to the public rather than private interests with deep pockets. Yet last year, Governor Walker opted to gut the state’s public financing system, while at the same time, increasing the limit on individual campaign contributions to Supreme Court candidates from $1,000 to $10,000!
With so much outside money flowing into Wisconsin's Supreme Court races, should we continue to elect or consider appointing our State Supreme Court Justices?
And finally, the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2010 decision in Citizens United vs Federal Election Commission allows corporations, labor unions and other interest groups (and their "Super PACs") to use unlimited money from their general treasury coffers to flood our airwaves with negative messages, giving them far greater influence on the outcome of elections. How has the Citizens United decision affected Wisconsin and does it matter?
These vital reform issues will be the focus of discussion in La Crosse this coming Monday evening during one in a series of "reform forums" held across the state by Common Cause in Wisconsin:
"What Ever Happened to Good Government
in Wisconsin?
And How Can We Fix It?"
Panelists will include:
State Representative Jill Billings (D-La Crosse)
State Representative Steve Doyle (D-Onalaska)
Former Republican State Representative & Former Candidate for Lt. Governor David Martin
Executive Director Jay Heck of Common Cause in Wisconsin
Professor Jeremy Arney of UW-La Crosse will serve as Moderator.
Please join us at this free public forum for what we anticipate will be a lively discussion.
Full details can be found here.
__________________________________________
Jay Heck, Executive Director
Common Cause in Wisconsin
152 W. Johnson St., Suite 212
Madison, WI 53703
608/256-2686
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Press Release
October 10, 2012
CONTACT:
Jay Heck – 608/256-2686
PUBLIC FORUM AT UW-GREEN BAY
TO FOCUS ON CRITICAL CAMPAIGN AND ELECTION REFORM ISSUES
Monday Evening, October 15th
6:30 - 8:00 PM
University of Wisconsin at Green Bay
University Union - Christie Theater
2420 Nicolet Drive, Green Bay, WI
“Welcome” to the most expensive: 1) U.S. Presidential; 2) U.S. Senate; 3) Congressional; and 4) State Legislative Elections in the history of the United States and in Wisconsin. These contests, to be decided on the 6th of November, follow the most expensive (Wisconsin) recall elections in the history of the nation earlier this year and last year. All of these elections are also among the most secretive in history – with millions of dollars of special interest money being spent to influence voters without the voters having the slightest idea who was providing the huge sums of campaign cash.
Over the last two years, Wisconsin – a state once known as the “laboratory of democracy” – has undergone tumultuous change in the way it conducts elections and considers public policy. As a result, the core political fabric of Wisconsin – once heralded as a national model – has been dramatically transformed.
Are these changes detrimental to our state’s political process or were they needed and will they improve it?
Tens of millions of dollars are being spent by outside interest groups on advertising leading up to this year's general election. But the citizens of Wisconsin are still in the dark about who is really behind much of this avalanche of “outside” campaign spending and the constant barrage of interest group “phony issue ads” we're seeing during this election season.
Is this lack of disclosure a protection of "free speech" or is it a perversion of democracy? Do citizens have the right to know who is paying for these ads?
In 2011, Wisconsin experienced the most secretive, partisan redistricting process the state has ever seen – resulting in dramatically less competitive voting districts. Should redistricting be taken out of the hands of partisan legislators and put into the hands of a non-partisan entity to draw congressional and legislative voting districts?
And what about Wisconsin’s photo voter ID law – the most extreme and restrictive such measure enacted into law in the nation? It has been blocked by the courts and is not in effect for the upcoming November election. Is it needed? Is there really voter fraud or is this a voter suppression measure?
Prior to 2011, public financing of statewide and legislative elections helped ensure that our legislators and our state’s highest court were beholden to the public rather than private interests with deep pockets. Yet last year, Governor Walker opted to gut the state’s public financing system, while at the same time, increasing the limit on individual campaign contributions to Supreme Court candidates from $1,000 to $10,000!
With so much outside money flowing into Wisconsin's Supreme Court races, should we continue to elect or consider appointing our State Supreme Court Justices?
And finally, the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2010 decision in Citizens United vs Federal Election Commission allows corporations, labor unions and other interest groups (and their "Super PACs") to use unlimited money from their general treasury coffers to flood our airwaves with negative messages, giving them far greater influence on the outcome of elections. How has the Citizens United decision affected Wisconsin and does it matter?
These vital reform issues will be the focus of discussion in Green Bay this coming Monday evening during one in a series of "reform forums" held across the state by Common Cause in Wisconsin:
"What Ever Happened to Good Government
in Wisconsin?
And How Can We Fix It?"
Panelists will include:
State Senator Dave Hansen (D-Green Bay)
State Representative Jim Steineke (R-Kaukauna)
Political Science Professor Mike Kraft of UW-Green Bay
Executive Director Jay Heck of Common Cause in Wisconsin
Professor Dave Helpap of UW-Green Bay will serve as Moderator.
Please join us at this free public forum for what we anticipate will be a lively discussion.
Full details can be found here.
__________________________________________
Jay Heck, Executive Director
Common Cause in Wisconsin
152 W. Johnson St., Suite 212
Madison, WI 53703
608/256-2686
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Reform Update
October 2, 2012
CONTACT:
Jay Heck – 608/256-2686
- October Reform Forums on Campaign Finance Reform, Disclosure, Redistricting Reform, Photo Voter ID Law and other Political Reform Issues Scheduled for Green Bay and La Crosse
- Common Cause Joins in Lawsuit against Five Wisconsin Legislators for Violations of State's Open Records Law
1. This seemingly endless, demoralizing election season is now entering its final weeks, and none too soon. Most citizens have been disgusted by the most bitterly negative, expensive and least transparent election in national and state history. And nobody, aside from a few political consultants and a handful of masochistic political junkies who revel in all the mudslinging and character assassination, ever wants to experience the likes of an election season (which has lasted almost two full years in Wisconsin) ever again. So that begs the question: What ever happened to good government (and civil politics) in Wisconsin and how do we fix it?
That's where you -- the citizens of Wisconsin -- come in.
On Monday evening, October 15th, CC/WI has organized another in our long series of "reform forums" in Green Bay and then another, on October 22nd in La Crosse. At these forums we have a panel of speakers from both major political parties (and sometimes from "third" parties and independents) who offer their opinions about timely political reform issues (like campaign finance reform, redistricting reform, disclosure and photo voter identification) and then we open it up to you -- the audience -- to ask questions and suggest solutions.
For details on the October 15th reform forum in Green Bay, go here.
For details on the October 22nd reform forum in La Crosse, go here.
In the past year we have held similar forums, with audiences as large as 200 in Wausau, Oshkosh, Sheboygan and Milwaukee. If you can, please join us in Green Bay or La Crosse and be heard!
2. Yesterday, national Common Cause joined The Center for Media and Democracy in filing a lawsuit against five Wisconsin legislators for violations of our state's Open Records laws with regard to inquiries about the legislators' involvement in the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC).
The joint release from CMD and national Common Cause is here. Click to download the actual filed lawsuit and exhibits.
For news accounts about this action, go here and here.
Jay Heck, Executive Director
Common Cause in Wisconsin
152 W. Johnson St., Suite 212
Madison, WI 53703
608/256-2686
Want Good Government?
Join Common Cause in Wisconsin!
Holding Power Accountable Since 1972
Read More...
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The Citizens United Decision
Disclosure of Money in Politics
Redistricting
Voter Photo ID
Public Financing of Elections
"What Ever Happened to Good Government in Wisconsin?
And How Can We Fix It?"
Monday, October 22, 2012
6:00 – 7:30 PM
University of Wisconsin at La Crosse - Student Union (Port 'O Call Room)
1725 State Street
La Crosse, Wisconsin
** Event is Free... and so are the cookies! **
Panelists: State Representative Jill Billings (D-La Crosse),
State Representative Steve Doyle (D-Onalaska),
Former Republican State Representative David Martin,
and CC/WI Executive Director Jay Heck.
Moderator:
Jeremy Arney - Political Science Professor at UW-La Crosse
Please come join in the discussion and learn more about:
- How is the U.S. Supreme Court decision on Citizens United vs F.E.C affecting Wisconsin?
- Disclosure of interest-group “phony issue ads” and other “outside” spending – is this necessary or would it stifle “free speech”?
- Redistricting reform in Wisconsin – how do we do it?
- Will the new Voter Photo ID suppress voter fraud or voters?
- Is Public Financing of our state elections needed?
- Should we elect or appoint Wisconsin's Supreme Court Justices?
Presented by Common Cause in Wisconsin (Underwritten by The Joyce Foundation)
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