Undemocratic: Secrecy and Power vs. The People
Photo essay: Wisconsin’s frenetic lame duck session
|
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: Bill would make it harder to follow the money
|
It might be about to get tougher—a lot tougher—to follow the money in Wisconsin politics.
Your Right to Know
Your Right to Know: Back open government? Prove it!
|
On July 9, the members of the Wisconsin state Assembly collectively affirmed their support for open government. They passed a resolution stating that the Assembly “remains committed to our state’s open record and open government laws and policies, and will take all necessary steps to ensure that these laws and policies are preserved without modification or degradation.” They vowed to “continue to work to uphold these principles and protections.”
State Legislature
Are higher per diems for lawmakers ‘outrageous,’ or long overdue?
|
Not surprisingly, the reaction from some quarters was harsh. In a letter to the editor, Oak Creek resident Wayne Meyer called the higher per diems “unconscionable,” saying it “borders on criminal.”
Money & Politics Column
Gov. Scott Walker sees end to sky-high spending in governor’s race
|
Walker, a possible presidential contender, says this extraordinary spending owes to extraordinary circumstances, like the opposition he faced from unions and others. Absent these factors, “my guess is, at least in the gubernatorial election, I doubt you’re ever going to see something that high again.”
Common Core
‘Twas a night in Wisconsin
|
Then, to their wondering eyes did appear
Gov. Scott Walker, being less than perfectly clear.
Money & Politics Column
Vos’ attacks on elections and ethics watchdog draw return fire
|
The Government Accountability Board judges Vos says he’s looking out for disagree with his analysis and resent lawmakers’ failure to get their input — the very thing Vos accuses the GAB staff of doing.
Money & Politics Column
Public wants action on redistricting
|
Recently the Wisconsin State Journal asked Dennis Dresang, political science professor emeritus at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, about state Republicans’ push to bar local governments from regulating everything from the sale of large sugary drinks to the use of explosives by sand mining companies. Negative reaction to these curbs on local control, mused the veteran political observer, might hurt Gov. Scott Walker at the polls. But he doubted the GOP would lose seats in the Legislature, given how voter boundaries have been redrawn to the party’s advantage.
Climate Change
State cool to climate-change action
|
Of the more than 600 bills introduced in Wisconsin’s 2013-14 legislative session, none contains the terms “climate change,” “greenhouse gases” or “global warming,” and only a handful deal with energy policy.
Money & Politics Column
Court ruling blamed for record spending
|
The 2012 presidential and congressional elections, said Lisa Graves, was “the most expensive election in U.S. history. In fact, it was the most expensive election in the history of the world.”
Money & Politics Column
Hope springs eternal for election reformers
|
In preparing for a recent interview in which he knew he’d be asked about tilting at windmills, Mike McCabe crafted a T-shirt-worthy reply: “To me, there’s always reason for hope, and never much reason for optimism.” McCabe leads the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, which joined with the Wisconsin Public Interest Research Group in drafting a July 10 letter calling for legislative hearings and possibly a special session to tweak state elections law.