Campaign
Finance Reform
People and business with money have influence over the legislative and political process while those without do not.
- About the issue
- Why does this matter to people with disabilities?
- Are there any proposals that would make a change in this issue?
- Who can I contact with my questions?
- Background Information For This Issue
About the issue: (Top of page)
It can cost a lot of money to run for office. Local elections are not as expensive, but statewide ones are. In 2006, the total spent by people running for Wisconsin Governor was over $19 million. People running for State Senate spend an average of $250,000. People running for State Assembly spend an average of $75,000.
Advertising is the main reason that campaigns cost so much. It costs a lot of money to run an ad on TV. But TV is the only way a candidate can be seen by people all over the area.
Very few people have enough money to buy ads on their own. So they ask for donations to their campaign. Family and friends may make small donations. The large contributions often come from special interest groups. These groups include political committees, professional associations, business organizations and labor unions.
When individuals or groups make large contributions, they expect access. This means the candidates will meet with them and listen to them. They may also expect that the candidate will support the policies they want.
Why does this matter to people with developmental disabilities? (Top of page)
Most people with disabilities have limited incomes. They are unable or unwilling to give money to campaigns. Because of this, few of them have the same kind of access that large donors have. This may be why it is difficult to get action on disability issues.
It also matters for people with disabilities and family members who may want to run for office. Local races (county, city, town, school board) cost much less than state ones, but it still takes money to run.
Are there any bills that would make a change in this issue? (Top of page)
Generally, reform advocates promote legislation that will reduce the influence of money in campaigns. The idea is to make elections as fair and open as possible, so that anyone could run for office.
- Assembly Bill 61 - Political Contributions
This bill prohibits accepting campaign contributions between January and passage of the state budget bill. [More on Assembly Bill 61 ]
Outcome: Introduced and sent to committee, a hearing was held, and the bill was amended, but never got out of committee before the session ended. - Assembly Bill 250 - Impartial Justice Bill
This bill changes the way the election for Justice of the state Supreme Court is financed. This bill creates a democracy trust fund, under which eligible candidates for this office may receive public grants from general purpose revenues. [More on Assembly Bill 250 ]
Outcome: Referred to Assembly committee and failed to get out of committee. - Assembly Bill 272 - Issue Ads in Elections
This bill requires full disclosure of so-called "issue ads". This means that the public would know who is responsible for the ad. These ads appear around election time and are meant to make a candidate appear wrong on an issue. Currently, the responsible [More on Assembly Bill 272 ]
Outcome: Referred to Assembly committee. Failed to get out of committee. - Assembly Bill 355 - Public Financing of Campaigns
This bill would create a "clean elections fund" of public money to finance most state office elections. Candidates who choose this option would finance their campaign entirely with public funding. [More on Assembly Bill 355 ]
Outcome: Referred to the Elections committee in the Assembly. Failed to get out of committee. - Senate Bill 12 - Ellis - Erpenbach Bill
This bill reforms the way campaigns are financed. It creates a nonrefundable individual income tax credit for contributions to the Public Integrity Endowment. It requires interest groups who run ads to register with the state and to tell who gave money f [More on Senate Bill 12 ]
Outcome: Hearing held in the Senate. Passed out of committee and referred to Joint Finance committee. Failed to get out of that committee. - Senate Bill 25 - Political Contributions
Prohibits accepting campaign contributions between January and passage of the budget bill. [More on Senate Bill 25 ]
Outcome: Hearing held and passed out of committee. Failed to receive a full vote in the Senate. - Senate Bill 40 - Biennial Budget
This bill is Gov. Doyle's proposed budget. It covers all state spending and revenue. [More on Senate Bill 40 ]
Outcome: This bill was signed into law on 10-26-07 and became Act 20. - Senate Bill 77 - Issue Ads in Elections
This bill requires full disclosure of so-called "issue ads". This means that the public would know who is responsible for the ad. These ads appear around election time and are meant to make a candidate appear wrong on an issue. Currently, the responsible [More on Senate Bill 77 ]
Outcome: Hearing held, passed out of committee and passed the full Senate. Sent to the Assembly. Failed to get out of the Assembly committee on Elections and Constitutional Law. - Senate Bill 112 - Campaign Contributions
This bill creates a nonrefundable individual income tax credit for contributions to candidates for elective public office. [More on Senate Bill 112 ]
Outcome: Hearing held in the Senate. Failed to get out of Senate committee on Labor, Elections, and Urban Affairs. - Senate Bill 171 - Impartial Justice Bill
This bill makes many changes in the way the election for Justice of the state Supreme Court is financed. This bill creates a democracy trust fund, under which eligible candidates for this office may receive public grants from general purpose revenues. [More on Senate Bill 171 ]
Outcome: Hearing held in the Senate, passed out of committee, and passed the full Senate. Sent to the Assembly. Failed to get out of the Assembly committee on Elections and Constitutional Law. - Senate Bill 182 - Public Financing of Campaigns
This bill would create a "clean elections fund" of public money to finance most state office elections. Candidates who choose this option would finance their campaign entirely with public funding. [More on Senate Bill 182 ]
Outcome: Hearing held in the Senate. Passed out of committee and referred to Joint Finance Committee. Failed to get out of that committee.
Who can I contact with my questions? (Top of page)
John Shaw
Wisconsin Council on Developmental Disabilities
201 W. Washington Avenue
Madison WI 53703-2796
Phone: Voice (608) 266-7707; TDD (608) 266-6660
Email: shawj2@dhfs.state.wi.us
Fax: (608) 267-3906
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