Wis. lawmakers record contributions during budget
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Campaign finance reports indicate at least seven Wisconsin lawmakers accepted contributions during budget negotiations despite rules banning the practice.
A review of the reports by the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign show seven state representatives all recorded receiving contributions between Feb. 17 and June 29.
Gov. Doyle introduced the budget on Feb. 17 and signed it on June 29. The Assembly passed a rule on Feb. 4 barring members from soliciting or accepting campaign contributions while the budget was in play.
The rule was designed to allay concerns that special interests were influencing state spending by handing legislators contributions.
The lawmakers include Democratic Reps. Fred Clark, Ted Zigmunt, Sandy Pasch and Gary Sherman and Republican Reps. Jerry Petrowski, Keith Ripp and Rich Zipperer.
Jul 20, 2009 at 6:03 p.m.
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We are talking TINY amounts recorded by volunteer treasurers here ... rules might NOT have been intentionally broken (see madison.com for a more complete story).
Jul 20, 2009 at 3:47 p.m.
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Well, since the rule is simply a parliamentary one, these legislators do have to answer to their constituents. It's probably unrealistic, though, to have 1/3 of the year entirely blocked off from campaign contributions -- if that's the normal period. Obviously challengers who are not in office will be able to continuously raise money through that same period.
Jul 20, 2009 at 3:44 p.m.
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Four of the seven are legislative first-termers. The others (except for Rep. Gary Sherman...a Democrat from the Superior area) weren't exactly the ones who were calling the shots as the budget was put together by the Joint Finance Committee, Assembly and Senate.
At one point, Speaker Sheridan thought it was ok that the fundraising arm for the Assembly Democrats hold a golf fundraiser while the budget process was going on. What's the dif, really?
Jul 20, 2009 at 3:07 p.m.
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Campaign contributions/Special interest! I always thought BRIBERY was against the law. Oh that's right,these people are above the law. Two sets you know theirs and ours.
Jul 20, 2009 at 2:49 p.m.
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Oops! The rules aren't for them.
Jul 20, 2009 at 2:15 p.m.
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This AP story is false and misleading. Many of the listed representatives did abide by the rule and did not raise money during budget negotiations, which began the night of February 17.
Jul 20, 2009 at 1:05 p.m.
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What is the point of making rules if they are not followed or enforced? Evidently, our representatives believe simply creating a rule is enough to make us, their constituents, think they have our best interests at heart. This rule was supposed to help assure us that our Representatives would not be swayed by special interest groups while working on the budget. BS! Either the Representatives mentioned didn't bother reading the rule book or don't care. Once again greed overcomes ethics!
Jul 20, 2009 at 12:59 p.m.
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What part of the RULES don't these people understand? It's time to elect someone else and see if they understand.
Jul 20, 2009 at 12:58 p.m.
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What part of the RULES don't these people understand? It's time to elect someone else and see if the understand.
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