Senate Committee Hears Erpenbach Campaign Finance Reform Bill Testimony
Historic, Bipartisan Legislation Reigns in Special Interest Spending, Raises Accountability
Madison – State Senator Jon Erpenbach (D-Middleton) testified about bipartisan legislation he has authored with State Senator Mike Ellis (R-Neenah) to reduce the influence of special interests and increase accountability in Wisconsin elections.
“The legislature is ready to listen to the people of Wisconsin and move forward on real campaign finance reform,” said Erpenbach, the vice chair of the Senate Committee overseeing campaign finance reform. “What we have are common sense solutions which will improve the integrity of our elections.”
Erpenbach offered his testimony on two separate bills, including regulation of so-called “Issue Ads” and comprehensive reform that includes public finances and realistic voluntary limits for campaign spending.
Major provisions in the Erpenbach-Ellis legislation include:
• Leveling the playing field so shadowy groups seeking to influence elections have to play by the same rules as everyone else.
• Creating reporting and registration requirements for communications using a candidate, political party or state office to be filled in that election, within 60 days of any election.
• Providing a matching grant to candidates whose opponents exceed the spending limits to encourage abiding by spending limits.
• Discouraging excess spending by outside interests by providing matching grants to candidates who are the targets of outside spending that exceeds 10 percent of the limits attributable to their campaign.
• Financing though a Public Integrity Endowment Fund supported by public financing and increasing of the current voluntary tax check-off from $1 to $5 and establishing a Public Integrity Endowment individuals or corporations could donate to and receive a tax credit.
• Banning fundraising prohibited during the budget from when it is introduced until it is signed.
“The people of Wisconsin sent a clear message in November that it was time ethics take a front seat in the legislature,” said Erpenbach. “We ignore that message at our own peril.”
