Undemocratic: Secrecy and Power vs. The People
Photo essay: Wisconsin’s frenetic lame duck session
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The Legislature held an extraordinary session to push through a series of fast-tracked bills before Gov. Scott Walker leaves office.
Your Right to Know
Your Right to Know: Wisconsin lawmakers embrace secrecy, fast-tracking
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Many people in Wisconsin feel state government is moving in the wrong direction, away from the citizenry and toward the interests of politicians and their financial backers.
Undemocratic: Secrecy and Power vs. The People
Last-minute surprises and secretive moves hide Wisconsin lawmakers’ actions from public view
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Anonymous budget amendments and ‘Body Snatcher’ bills give power to special interests and change the scope of legislation with no chance for public input.
Undemocratic: Secrecy and Power vs. The People
Voter ID linked to lower turnout in Wisconsin, other states; students, people of color, elderly most affected
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The Center’s Cameron Smith explores the ways in which residents are dissuaded or prevented from voting by the photo ID requirement, which has been the subject of years of litigation, some of it still pending.
Undemocratic: Secrecy and Power vs. The People
Voter fraud — what voter fraud? Studies contradict photo ID rationale
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Voter impersonation — the reason voter ID laws were passed in the first place — has largely been debunked as a pervasive problem in U.S. elections, according to a summary of investigations and studies compiled by the Brennan Center for Justice.
Undemocratic: Secrecy and Power vs. The People
Secret cash aided politicians who rewrote Wisconsin law to block claims of lead-poisoned children
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One advocate calls Wisconsin the ‘darkest of dark money states’ as millions in secret spending flows into races for governor, Legislature and state Supreme Court
Undemocratic: Secrecy and Power vs. The People
Wisconsin’s campaign finance system: A summary
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Wisconsin might not have the most money in its elections, because there are some states with no limits at all on individual campaign contributions. But critics say it is awash in “dark money,” contributions that are not required to be reported to any governmental agency.
Undemocratic: Secrecy and Power vs. The People
After Gov. Scott Walker took office, bills moved faster through the Wisconsin Legislature
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An analysis by the Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism shows the proportion of fast-tracked bills shot up to 26 percent in the first session of Walker’s term
Undemocratic: Secrecy and Power vs. The People
Why we analyzed the speed of bills in the Wisconsin Legislature and what we learned
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This column is a companion to our story revealing that the length of time bills were deliberated dropped significantly soon after Gov. Scott Walker and Republican legislators took control in 2011. In this piece Center managing editor Dee J. Hall explains the origins and methodology of the analysis.
Undemocratic: Secrecy and Power vs. The People
Wisconsin residents see democracy decline, reflecting national discontent with government
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Extreme partisanship and approval of legislation despite widespread opposition have left Wisconsin residents feeling increasingly powerless, the Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism has found.
Undemocratic: Secrecy and Power vs. The People
Public, politicians pushing Wisconsin to enact nonpartisan redistricting to strengthen democracy
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Most counties have approved resolutions calling for fairer way to redraw electoral districts; does Iowa offer an effective model?
Undemocratic: Secrecy and Power vs. The People
High stakes for elections — and democracy — as U.S. Supreme Court nears decision on Wisconsin redistricting case
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Justices consider: When does partisanship cross the line?