Senate Passes Erpenbach Bill Requiring Disclosure, Reporting for ‘Issue Ads’
Bipartisan Legislation Raises Accountability Standards for Elections
Madison – State Senator Jon Erpenbach (D-Middleton) said legislation passed today by the State Senate which will require organizations engaging in so-called “issue ads” to report on the sources of their funding and their expenditures.
“This is common sense, bipartisan legislation requiring everyone plays by the same rules,” said Erpenbach, who also thanked co-author Sen. Mike Ellis (R-Neenah). “We are trying to shed light on where the money comes from to pay these shadowy groups who to hijack elections from the citizens of Wisconsin.”
Erpenbach’s legislation (SB 77) creates reporting and registration requirements for expenditures and disbursements for anyone who through paid communications mentions a candidate, political party or state office to be filled in that election, within 60 days of any election.
“The people of Wisconsin sent a message demanding we move forward on campaign finance reform,” said Erpenbach, Vice Chair of the Senate Campaign Finance Reform Committee. “Today, we took an important step towards ensuring our elections are fair and clean.”
In the past, a number of organizations have utilized a loophole in the law to pay for communications intent of influencing voters, but without having to disclose where they raised the money in order to pay for these communications.
In the most recent State Supreme Court race, over $3 million was spent on issue ads. The source of the money paying for those advertisements remains unknown.
“We are putting a responsible plan forward to keep elections clean,” said Erpenbach. “It is essential for democracy that citizens have faith in the integrity of their elections.”
The bill, which enjoys the support of good government organizations including the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin, Common Cause of Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, moves onto the Assembly.
