Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Political Reform Forum in Stevens Point Monday Draws Largest Audience Ever

Press Release
October 30, 2013


Political Reform Forum in Stevens Point on Monday Night
Draws Largest Audience Ever
Between 225 and 250 Citizens Assemble to Support Redistricting and Reforms

We have sensed for some time that Wisconsin citizens are not happy with the way their state government is functioning on a whole host of issues. Increasing numbers of citizens are "getting" that their voices don't count for much when they are in a non-competitive state legislative or congressional district.

More and more Wisconsinites every day are comprehending that the way in which Wisconsin legislative and congressional districts were drawn by hyper-partisan, expensive, and secretive Madison attorneys under the direction of legislative leaders in 2011 resulted in a rigged system in which very few voters have a real choice in general elections. We now have an unprecedented number of "safe" voting districts in Wisconsin where a citizen's vote doesn't mean very much because the result of the election is already preordained.

And because legislators have been given these safe seats, they can easily afford to be non-responsive to the concerns of many of their constituents.

Redistricting reform, and other critical political reform issues such as reducing the amount of special interest money in our elections, and voting rights being protected for every Wisconsin citizen were just some of the issues discussed Monday evening at the University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point during the most well-attended and energetic event in our six-year series of "reform forums."

We set up the room for 150 attendees, hoping we would draw nearly that number on an evening when a World Series game was on TV and the weather was chilly. Instead, citizens arrived in such large numbers that we had to bring in 75 more chairs -- and then accommodate even more people.

The panel of legendary former Congressman David Obey, State Senator Julie Lassa, State Representative Katrina Shankland, Common Cause in Wisconsin Chair Bill Kraus and Director Jay Heck and the great questions and comments from the audience -- moderated by UWSP Political Science Professor Dennis Riley, combined to result in our most electric reform forum ever!!

To see the complete forum on Wisconsin Eye, go here:

For other media coverage, go here, here, and here.

Get inspired to take back your government! We certainly were.


__________________________________________


Jay Heck, Executive Director
Common Cause in Wisconsin
152 W. Johnson St., Suite 212
Madison, WI 53703

608/256-2686

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Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Former U.S. Rep. Dave Obey to Speak at Reform Forum on October 28th

Press Release
October 22, 2013


Common Cause in WI Public Forum at UW-Stevens Point to Focus on
Redistricting Reform and Other Political Reform Issues

Former Congressman Dave Obey will be among Panelists
Monday Evening, October 28th

6:30 - 8:00 PM

University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
Dreyfus University Center - Laird North (Alumni Room)
1015 Reserve Street
Stevens Point, WI

Wisconsin has experienced tumultuous change over the last couple of years in the way we conduct elections and consider public policy. 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?

In 2011, Wisconsin endured the most secretive, partisan and expensive (over $2 million) redistricting process in state history – resulting in dramatically less competitive voting districts for the Wisconsin Legislature, and not a single U.S. Congressional district in which voters have a real choice. Should a measure that takes redistricting out of the hands of partisan legislators and puts that process into the hands of a non-partisan entity get – at the very least – a public hearing?

Tens of millions of dollars were spent by outside interest groups on largely negative advertising leading up to last year's general election. But the citizens of Wisconsin are still in the dark about who was really behind much of this avalanche of “outside” campaign cash and the constant barrage of special interest group “phony issue ads” during the election.

Does this lack of disclosure protect "free speech" or is it a perversion of democracy? Do citizens have the right to know who is trying to influence their vote? Or, are these “anonymous” communications a form of protected speech?

And what about Wisconsin’s photo voter ID law – one of the most extreme and restrictive such measures in the nation? It has been blocked by the courts, but may return in a new form soon. Is requiring a photo ID at the polls 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 somewhat beholden to the public rather than completely funded by private interests with deep pockets. Yet in 2011, Governor Scott Walker gutted the state’s public financing system, while at the same time, increased 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 Stevens Point 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:

Former Congressman Dave Obey (D-7th District, 1969-2011)
State Representative Katrina Shankland (D-Stevens Point)
Republican Strategist and Common Cause in Wisconsin Board Chair Bill Kraus
Executive Director Jay Heck of Common Cause in Wisconsin
State Representative Scott Krug (R-Town of Rome) *Invited*
State Senator Julie Lassa (D-Stevens Point) *Invited*

Political Science Professor Dennis Riley of UW-Stevens Point will serve as Moderator.

Please join us for what we anticipate will be an informative and 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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Friday, October 18, 2013

State Senator Mike Ellis Supports Public Hearings on Redistricting Reform Legislation

Press Release
October 18, 2013


State Senator Mike Ellis Supports Public Hearings
on Redistricting Reform Legislation
"Have the Public Hearing. What are You Afraid of? Have the Hearing,"
says the Neenah Republican

In a recent, wide-ranging interview with Appleton Post Crescent editorial page editor Larry Gallup, State Senator Michael Ellis (R-Neenah), the Senate President and longest serving GOP legislator in the Wisconsin Legislature, had a lot to say about a public hearing on Senate Bill 163, bipartisan redistricting reform legislation that was introduced almost six months ago. Despite repeated calls from Common Cause in Wisconsin, the editorial boards of almost every Wisconsin daily newspaper and the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin, State Senator Mary Lazich (R-New Berlin) has thus far failed to schedule a public hearing on the measure. Both Lazich and State Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau) have refused to say why.

Here is the Post Crescent exchange on redistricting reform:
Gallup: Most of the editorial boards in the state — and we’re one of them — have grouped together to advocate for a public hearing on a bill to change redistricting. Is there any chance that hearing will happen?

Ellis: I think they should have a hearing on it. There’s no reason why we can’t investigate that. I know the Democrats didn’t do it when they were in power and the Republicans won’t want to do it because they’re in power. But why don’t we just shake yesterday off and think of tomorrow? There’s no reason we can’t have a public hearing and explore the options that are available. It certainly is working in Iowa. So I don’t have any problem if anybody asked me. Have the public hearing. What are you afraid of? Have the hearing.

Ellis is a powerful and effective voice in his Caucus and in the Wisconsin Legislature. Let's hope his endorsement for public hearings will encourage more Republican legislators to speak out in favor of them as well -- and soon.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, just moments ago, weighed in on this important development. We will have more on redistricting reform next week.

__________________________________________


Jay Heck, Executive Director
Common Cause in Wisconsin
152 W. Johnson St., Suite 212
Madison, WI 53703

608/256-2686

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Tuesday, October 8, 2013

U.S. Supreme Court to hear Big Political Money Case Today/Vos on Redistricting Reform



Common Cause in Wisconsin Reform Update
Tuesday October 8, 2013

1. Nation's Highest Court Takes Up "Citizens United II" for September?
2. Speaker Vos Says Rep. August Should Not Hold Public Hearings on Redistricting Reform Legislation
3. Wisconsin Needs Electioneering Disclosure And More Transparency, Not Less

1. Today, the U.S. Supreme Court hears oral arguments in McCutcheon v. Federal Election Commission, a case that will determine whether or not the corrupting influence of money in politics will be expanded, as it was in the 2010 Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission decision.

Citizens United overturned more than a century of settled law and precedent and opened up federal and state elections to be influenced by unlimited (and largely undisclosed) corporate and union "outside" money. McCutcheon would strike down current limits on the aggregate total a wealthy individual could give to multiple candidates during an election cycle and greatly enhance the corrupting influence of wealthy donors. Many legal experts surmise that if McCutcheon is upheld then it is only a matter of time before individual contribution limits to candidates are eviscerated and federal and state elections will be subject to virtually no limitations and will evolve into lawless contests where anything goes at any cost.

Steve Spaulding, the staff counsel for national Common Cause, has written this excellent opinion-editorial which explains the case and what is at stake.

Former national Common Cause Presidents Fred Wertheimer and Don Simon, two of the leading experts in campaign finance law in the nation, have provided this excellent Q & A on the McCutcheon case that will help you understand the significance of this critical issue.


2. For several months now, CC/WI, the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin and most of Wisconsin's newspapers have been relentless in calling on Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester), State Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau) to direct or allow committee chairs, State Representative Tyler August (R-Lake Geneva) and State Senator Mary Lazich (R-New Berlin) to hold public hearings on non-partisan redistricting reform legislation -- Assembly Bill 185 and Senate Bill 163. The question about public hearings is being asked of Vos and Fitzgerald much more frequently. Last week, veteran journalist Steve Walters of Wisconsin Eye asked Vos about public hearings at the outset of his program "Civil Dialogue." Vos said that while he hasn't ordered August not to allow a public hearing, he hopes August doesn't hold one. Talk about a difference without a distinction! To see Vos' misleading dodge to this question, go here. It is the very first topic of the interview.


3. Last week, the same State Senate committee with jurisdiction over redistricting reform and chaired by Mary Lazich, held a hearing on a terrible legislative measure -- Senate Bill 282 -- proposed by State Senator Glenn Grothman (R-West Bend) that would greatly raise the threshold at which a candidate would have to report to the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board, the occupation of a donor to his or her campaign. In short, this would weaken disclosure of campaign money and it is exactly the opposite direction that Wisconsin ought to be headed. And while thousands of Wisconsinites have now contacted Lazich and other Republican leaders demanding public hearings on redistricting reform legislation, who -- other than Grothman and Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce -- had even requested Senate Bill 282 be introduced, let alone be given a public hearing?

Instead of less disclosure of campaign cash, Wisconsin needs more disclosure -- particularly of outside groups who spend millions of dollars to influence statewide and legislative elections, but dodge the disclosure of their donors because they utilize campaign communications masquerading as issue advocacy. These "phony issue ads" would be disclosed if bipartisan legislation introduced by State Senator Mike Ellis (R-Neenah), State Senator Jon Erpenbach (D-Middleton), and State Representative Dean Kaufert (R-Neenah) -- Senate Bill 166 -- were enacted into law.

How about a public hearing on this measure Mary Lazich? (and Scott Fitzgerald?) There are actually many Wisconsin citizens who want to know more about who is influencing our elections, not less.



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!
www.CommonCauseWisconsin.org

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Tuesday, October 1, 2013

In the News - October 2013


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A Conspiracy of Silence Against Redistricting Reform Public Hearings

Press Release
October 1, 2013



CONTACT:
Jay Heck – 608/256-2686









A Conspiracy of Silence Against Redistricting Reform Public Hearings

Fitzgerald, Vos, Lazich & August Refuse to Explain
Why They Fear Public Discussion

The unprecedented, united and relentless editorializing by Wisconsin's newspapers calling for legislative public hearings on non-partisan redistricting reform legislation since mid-August, continued this weekend with powerful statements in support of open, accountable state government -- and for the right of Wisconsin citizens to hear a robust debate on whether Wisconsin ought to end hyper-partisan, secretive, expensive gerrymandering that robs voters of real choices in general elections and causes legislators to behave in an unresponsive, unaccountable and arrogant manner. Or not.

State Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau), Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) and State Senator Mary Lazich (R-New Berlin) and State Representative Tyler August (R-Lake Geneva) --the chairs of committees with jurisdiction over redistricting reform legislation: Senate Bill 163 and Assembly Bill 185,
(Click to enlarge) identical measures that were introduced five months ago -- all vehemently oppose redistricting reform and refuse even to allow public hearings on the reform measures. Incredibly, they won't even explain why they refuse to schedule public hearings! They all occupy utterly safe Republican districts and so they feel as if being unresponsive, unaccountable and arrogant will not cost them much, if anything, politically. And so they have forged a conspiracy of silence on this issue. Wisconsinites ought to be concerned about whether this arrogance and lack of responsiveness will apply to other issues as well. And they ought to be concerned about what negative repercussions this behavior could cause for democracy and accountability.

Read these recent, powerful editorials about the need for redistricting reform, the demand for public hearings, and the self-interest and arrogance of Fitzgerald, Vos, Lazich, August and others:
Wisconsin State Journal - Partisan maps good for politicians, not the public

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Our View | Redistricting - Let the people speak: Hold a hearing on plan

Beloit Daily News - EDITORIAL: What's wrong with talking?

Marshfield News-Herald - Listen to public on redistricting reform: Our View

And this letter to the Editor of the The Oshkosh Northwestern - Letters to the editior: Redistricting process in Wisconsin opens doors
Are you mad yet? You ought to be.

Common Cause in Wisconsin has been working to add more legislative co-sponsors of Senate Bill 163 or Assembly Bill 185. During the month of September we added four new co-sponsors.

For the updated, complete listing of public supporters of non-partisan redistricting reform legislation, go here.

If your State Senator and/or State Representative are not on that list, it is imperative that you contact them and urge them in the strongest possible terms to co-sponsor SB 163 or AB 185 and to join the demand for public hearings on redistricting reform. Here's how to contact them.

If you are not sure who your State Senator and/or State Representative are, go here.

And, if you are still fired up after that, contact Fitzgerald, Vos, Lazich and August and demand they end their arrogant conspiracy of silence and schedule public hearings!

Please let us know what you hear from any legislator on this issue. We are keeping track and need your help.

Are you with us?

__________________________________________


Jay Heck, Executive Director
Common Cause in Wisconsin
152 W. Johnson St., Suite 212
Madison, WI 53703

608/256-2686

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CC/WI Public Forum at UW-Stevens Point on October 28th!



                    Redistricting Reform
                 Disclosure of Money in Politics 
                       The Citizens United Decision
                 Public Financing of Elections
                               Voter Photo ID






"What Ever Happened to Good Government in Wisconsin?
And How Can We Fix It?"

Monday, October 28, 2013
6:30 – 8:00 PM

University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
Dreyfus University Center - Laird North (Alumni Room)
1015 Reserve Street
Stevens Point, Wisconsin 

 ** Event is Free... and so are the cookies! **

Panelists: Former Congressman Dave Obey (D-7th District, 1969-2011)
State Representative Katrina Shankland (D-Stevens Point)
Bill Kraus, Republican Strategist and Common Cause in Wisconsin Chair
State Senator Julie Lassa (D-Stevens Point)*Tentative*
and CC/WI Executive Director Jay Heck

Moderator:  Professor Dennis Riley, UW-Stevens Point Political Science Department

Please come join in the discussion and learn more about:
  • Redistricting/Gerrymandering reform in Wisconsin – how do we do it?
  • Disclosure of interest-group “phony issue ads” and other “outside” spending – is this necessary or would it stifle “free speech”?
  • How is the U.S. Supreme Court decision on Citizens United vs F.E.C affecting Wisconsin?
  • Would a Voter Photo ID law 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
    

              Co-Sponsored by:

                                


                                                 
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