May 14, 2009

 

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Erpenbach-Ellis Comprehensive Campaign Finance Reform Back

Better Language on Issue Ads Included

 

Madison – Senator Jon Erpenbach (D-Waunakee) and Senator Mike Ellis (R-Neenah) will re-introduce tomorrow the comprehensive campaign finance reform proposal they have worked on together for ten years.

“I am always thinking about the changes in the Legislature and what they will mean for real reform of political campaigns. Every election I ask myself – was that election brutal enough to make it happen? I think it was, and I am ready to work with whoever wants comprehensive change to campaigns in Wisconsin,” Ellis said.

Erpenbach and Ellis believe that comprehensive change is needed; the proposal builds off of the current system for public financing and election regulation to modernize Wisconsin’s laws, regulates so called issues ads, increases public financing and creates a matching grant system, bans issue ads in judicial campaigns, fully funds Supreme Court Races and regulates out of state groups.

             

“Sometimes people in the building are afraid of change, especially when it comes to campaigns and elections, but what we have seen with Federal changes is that when laws change campaigns can change with them and become more fair. This is not such a monumental change but a modernization of our law to reflect the current campaign and election system and an attempt to look ahead and regulate what political campaigns will be like in 10 years. When I talk about it like that the change seems less scary to some, I hope we will make progress this session,” Erpenbach said.

Once introduced, the Erpenbach Ellis campaign finance reform proposal will be referred to the Senate Judiciary, Corrections, Insurance, Campaign Finance Reform, and Housing which is chaired by Senator Lena Taylor.