Five state senators oppose ethics reform - including 2 Dems

[sybylla]

I received this e-mail from the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign today.

First it was back-to-back felony convictions of two former state lawmakers. Next, there was the recent poll by a conservative think tank showing only 6% of state residents believe elected officials represent them. Then well over 400 protesters with brooms showed up on the Capitol steps calling for reform.

Today there was evidence the message is getting through. The state Senate passed an ethics reform bill that is a top priority of the Democracy Campaign and the People's Legislature.

The legislation, Senate Bill 1, abolishes the dysfunctional state Elections Board and Ethics Board and replaces them with a beefed-up and politically independent Government Accountability Board. Under SB 1, members of the new agency's board must be nonpartisan and are nominated by a selection panel independent of the power brokers at the Capitol. A critical feature of the new Government Accountability Board is an enforcement division with the authority to prosecute wrongdoing.

In a key victory today, an amendment to eliminate the new agency's authority to prosecute was defeated 19-14. The bill was then approved 28-5. Voting against the bill were Senators Decker, Grothman, Lasee, Reynolds and Taylor.

The failed amendment to eliminate prosecutorial authority was supported by Senators Darling, Decker, Grothman, Lasee, Lassa, Lazich, Miller, Plale, Reynolds, Risser, Roessler, Stepp, Taylor and Wirch.

I see far too many Dem senators on that list. How they can oppose this kind of reform is beyond me. The fact that some of them voted to weaken that reform pisses me off even more.

I don't have a Dem senator so I'm adopting a few from this list. They will be getting a rather critical letter/e-mail from me.

If this bothers you as much as it bothers me, I hope you'll join me. You can find their e-mail addresses here:
http://www.legis.state.wi.us/senate/senhomepages.html


edited to correct subject

[HereSince1628]

1. Well, things have become a bit unkept here haven't they?

How many state officials have been in deep ethical/legal trouble since 2000? It ain't pretty, thats for sure.

[ewagner]

2. Lassa?

I'm beginning to wonder about that girl....

I hope she has a good explanation....I'll email her yet tonight.

on edit. Just sent an email inquiring about her motivations....it usually takes a week or so to get back to me....