In the face of withering criticism, Gov. Scott Walker and the Republican leaders of the Legislature announced Saturday that a provision added to the state budget to gut the open records law “will be removed from the budget in its entirety.”

Walker made the announcement Saturday afternoon in a joint statement with Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, R-Juneau, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, and Joint Finance Committee co-Chairs, Sen. Alberta Darling, R-River Hills, and Rep. John Nygren, R-Marinette.

“We are steadfastly committed to open and accountable government,” the statement said. “The intended policy goal of these changes was to provide a reasonable solution to protect constituents’ privacy and to encourage a deliberative process between elected officials and their staff in developing policy. It was never intended to inhibit transparent government in any way.”

The statement said the Legislature will form a Legislative Council committee to study the matter outside of the budget process.

No one claimed responsibility for requesting the language be added to a sweeping omnibus amendment the Legislature’s budget committee passed late Thursday. And it’s unclear what role, if any, Walker played in the drama over the past few days.

But amid near-universal condemnation of the move and bipartisan demands that the language be withdrawn or that Walker use his partial veto power to strip it out of the budget if it passed, the governor and the leadership conceded defeat on the issue.

Republican leaders have refused to say who initially sought the changes or why.

Among other things, the revisions would have rendered secret virtually all records and communications by lawmakers and policymakers at the state and local levels.

Drafting files for legislation would have no longer been public, and legislators would have been granted a “legal privilege” or right to refuse to disclose any communication that occurred during the lawmaker’s term in office.

The measure, which Darling and Nygren allowed to be added to the omnibus motion, stunned advocates of open government and prompted many lawmakers, including some Republicans, to pledge not to vote for a budget that contained the items.

“I’m glad they’re taking it out,” said Sen. Jon Erpenbach, D-Middleton. “But just the fact that they even tried to do this in the first place should bother everybody in this state.”

Bill Lueders, president of the Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council, took issue with Saturday’s statement that the changes were “never intended to inhibit transparent government.”

“That is a transparently false statement,” Lueders said. “This was specifically and deliberately intended to inhibit transparency.”

Lueders said his organization would continue to join those trying to find out whose idea it was and who signed off on it.

“I think there ought to be some political consequences for this,” Lueders said.

Twelve Republican lawmakers on the budget committee approved the omnibus measure Thursday, while all four of the panel’s Democratic members opposed it.

Rep. Dean Knudson, R-Hudson, said before he voted for the changes Thursday that they would clarify the definition of what a public record is and keep lawmakers on the right side of the law.

But Erpenbach urged the committee’s majority not to pass the changes, saying the vote would solidify the committee’s legacy as one of secrecy.

Erpenbach said he was not surprised at the public outcry over the changes and the fact that opposition came from across the political spectrum.

“This specific issue cuts across every single political ideology out there,” Erpenbach said. “This is something that everybody can understand in two seconds. Everybody gets transparency in government.”

Erpenbach said he was told by Republicans on the committee that Walker had “signed off” on the changes and told them he would not veto it.

“There is not any governor who doesn’t know what ends up in the budget before it gets to his desk,” he said. “It did come from the governor, in my opinion, and a couple of legislators who obviously have something to hide.”

The growing clamor over what was, effectively, the repeal of Wisconsin’s decades-old open records law presented an unwelcome distraction for Walker a week before he formally announces his candidacy for the Republican nomination for president.

His office has declined to say whether the governor was involved in drafting the changes and initially demurred when asked whether Walker would support or veto the provision, later saying he would work with legislators to make unspecified changes to it.

But Walker told reporters at Wauwatosa’s Independence Day Parade Saturday that he had “a lot of concerns about” it, and issued the joint statement hours later.

Beth Bennett, executive director of the Wisconsin Newspaper Association, welcomed the news of the reversal and thanked open-government advocates for instigating the change.

“Wisconsin newspapers write the history of the state of Wisconsin and we are extremely happy and proud to chronicle this victory for continued government transparency,” Bennett said.

State Journal reporter Molly Beck contributed to this report.

Dennis Punzel covers Wisconsin Badgers volleyball, women's basketball and hockey for the Wisconsin State Journal.

(246) comments

Mary Erpenbach

Still stunned at the thought that GovWalker and WisGOP would have dispatched Wisconsin Open Records law in a heartbeat, if they could have done so without discussion. I hope nobody in this state mistakes their walk-back as evidence that they had second thoughts. There were no second thoughts. They knew what they were doing from the beginning. It was informed and it was intentional and it was planned. And if there had been no public push for a discussion or an explanation, they would have gone through with it. And it would now be, literally, hours away from being signed into law. Enable these folks at your peril, Wisconsin.

array1

Scott walker likely behind attempt to eliminate open records.

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/story/news/2015/07/06/was-scott-walker-behind-wisconsin-open-records-proposal/29771613/

Mary Erpenbach

Oh please. It is a known but not yet publicly acknowledged fact -- fact -- that GovWalker requested the insertion of this particular non-fiscal motion. WisGOP is scrambling like there's no tomorrow.

hankinheys

Almost got away with it ,
and how many other "almosts"
lurk beneath this devil Walker "s agenda
and legs?

MadCityYokal

Scotty Walker
[Yankee Doodle]

Scotty Walker wrote a Budget
Gifting all his Homies
Joint Finance said they loved it
Most of them his Cronies
Scotty Walker, don't slip up
Giving out your candy
Mind now ALEC, keep in step
They want you to be handy

To Iowa went Scott Walker
Riding on a Harley
He wore a helmet on the tour
Thinking he looked gnarly
Scotty Walker, your on top
Thinking you're just dandy
Soon enough you will slip up
And fall down on your fanny

Scotty Walker flew to London
Called it a Trade Mission
Cameron then said he lied
Yet never Scott's admission
Scotty Walker, you just slide
Jump and dodge the questions
When I hear you tell your lies
It gives me indigestion

Forming WEDC his first term
As Executive Director
Scotty Walker gave out funds
To the private sector
Scotty Walker, where's our dough?
Were applications vetted?
If you answer, "I don't know."
Then why were you elected?!

Open Records voted closed
Repubs thought you'ld not veto
Scandals brew under your nose
No one thought this was neat-oh
Scotty Walker, did you know?
What have you kept hidden?
All that's hidden soon will show
Then will you be forgiven?

KayLastima

{{ applause !! }} Good Job, Mad City. Thanks!

livesteam2

Here's a link to all 67 budget amendments to be included in the budget bill.
Here's a link: http://wispolitics.com/1006/150702999Motion.pdf.

In addition to open records, the JFC had 66 other non budget items in their amendment Thursday. While we were (correctly) prioritizing to restore open records, Walker and the JFC have other big items that could net BIG money and start the demise of Wisconsin's Retirement System, affecting. Amendment #27. a. It applies to the Jt. Survey Committee on Retirement Systems and deletes the non-legislative positions. That includes the Secretary of ETF and the Attorney General. There is no little irony in that ETF is the agency that takes care of retirement benefits. Can we surmise since this is all done in secret, that they are moving to systematically turn the ETF over to a Wall Street brokerage firm to manage. Management fees would be in the $billions each year of which currently are next to nothing with the funds being managed by the people being eliminated in Walker’s budget.

What we know about the GOP legislative group is that what looks seemingly innocent isn't, and always generates a kick in the belly when we find out what they did..


Custos
Custos

When you start looking at the other little nuggets they slipped into the soup at the last minute, it makes you wonder if the open records changes where just a 'flash grenade' to distract everyone from the rest of the B.S.

I keep vacillating between 'stupid' and 'evil' as I try to make some sense of what the republitards in charge are trying to do.
Today, the meter is leaning a little more toward the evil side.

chichilo

Appalling. To tinker with ETF--the most important retirement system under the Survey Committee's watch--would be criminal. And what do you think a wholly Republican legislator-controlled committee will do, given their atrocious track record? This, and the change in election rules for public employee unions (making it more difficult to re-certify), is another nail on the coffin of public service in this state. Simply appalling.

Mustang1

Open records...remove dismissed cases, as the person was found not guilty & innocent. Under 25,& no other criminal activity years later...REMOVE! My only concern is CCAP. Too many innocent people with college education looking for work. Most are in their 30's now!! Let's pull together on this one...

stealth694

Now for the Big Question...WHO IS WALKER GOING TO THROW UNDER THE BUS??
This issue is too big to just sweep under the rug, someone will have to be sacrificed to the Great God F--KUP. John Nygren and Alberta Darlings names are on the bill,so they are the natural sacrifices. But what about the fallout, The WSJ was moderately peeved with Scott Walker and the Wisconsin GOP, this blatant attempt to block freedom of the press is going to get every news organization both print and electronic to start looking at both with an electron microscope. Add to it, Wisconsin Republicans who have supported Scott Walker are realizing he maybe resigning his governorship for a Presidential run and leaving them holding a very big bag of something wet and smelly.

Neesha

stealth694, Let's be sure the Open Records proposal is truly dead. Their statement said "the Legislature will form a Legislative Council committee to study the issue outside of the budget process." We don't need a study! Open Records is a Law!
Please sign the petition: http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/to-the-wisconsin-legislature?source=c.em.cp&r_by=1957138
Note: This petition will be delivered--regardless of recent actions by Scott Fitzgerald, Robin Vos, Alberta Darling , John Nygren and the Governor to remove the proposal from the state budget. The Republican intent to change the Open Records Law remains!
Please post to Facebook. We need more signatures! Thanks!

jimatmadison

Except for brief periods, the greatest threats to America's freedoms have all come from within our own borders, or, in this case from within our own State Capitol.

Happy Fourth of July weekend everybody!

July 4th, 1776 was only a beginning. The battle for freedom still continues.

Neesha

jimatmadision, I agree completely. Let's be sure the Open Records proposal is truly dead. Their statement said that the Legislature will form a Legislative Council committee to study the issue outside of the budget process. We don't need a study! Open Records is a Law!
Please sign the petition: http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/to-the-wisconsin-legislature?source=c.em.cp&r_by=1957138 Thanks!
Note: This petition will be delivered--regardless of recent actions by Scott Fitzgerald, Robin Vos, Alberta Darling , John Nygren and the Governor to remove the proposal from the state budget. The intent to change the Open Records Law remains!

Mustang1

Ok this is all pulled out of proportion. They were only Gina remove the innocent, under 25, never committed & never reoffended. Totally innocent individual. Most of them have college degrees & looking for work!

MichaelE

What are you talking about?

freddiebell

And the brown cow diagrammed the expectorant happy in the meadow of upset dissuasion amongst contradictory Pakistan invigoration tied around seven experiencing lugubrious archipelagos beneath the sun.

Thanks for playing. Be sure to share the rules of the game next time so that we all know how it works and what to expect.

livesteam2

Monday is coming and the JFC had 66 other non budget items in their amendment Thursday. While we were (rightly) prioritizing to restore open records, Walker and the JFC have other big items that will net BIG money and start the demise of Wisconsin's Retirement System. See amendment #999. Go to page 9. Amendment #27. a. It applies to the Jt. Survey Committee on Retirement Systems and deletes the non-legislative positions. That includes the Secretary of ETF and the Attorney General. There is no little irony in that ETF is the agency that takes care of retirement benefits. Can we surmise since this is all done in secret, that they are moving to systematically turn the ETF over to a Wall Street brokerage firm to manage. Management fees would be in the $billions each year of which currently are next to nothing with the funds being managed by the people being eliminated in Walker’s budget.

I posted part of this message yesterday and WisBlogRider added more, including the portion about Wall Street. What we know about the GOP legislative group is that what looks seemingly innocent isn't, and always generates a kick in the belly in the end.

Neesha

llivestream2, I agree with you 100% Let's be sure the Open Records proposal is truly dead. Their statement said that the Legislature will form a Legislative Council committee to study the issue outside of the budget process. We don't need a study! Open Records is a Law!
Please sign the petition: http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/to-the-wisconsin-legislature?source=c.em.cp&r_by=1957138 Thanks!

koala

This is very big (and possibly very bad) news. Thanks for posting. WSJ editors, please take note and cover this.

witness2012

It's part of the budget bill, along with not allowing Dane county to require extra insurance from Enbridge if they want to build another pumping station.

They'll never take it out and will not allow any Democratic amendment to their budget bill. They will cram it through, along with the new abortion restrictions and prevailing wage repeal, and it will be signed into law by the end of the week.

Anti-Republican

Why isn't Attorney General Brad Schimel investigating the law-breaking at Walker's WEDC?

If he won't uphold our laws, then he must be one with the criminals in the capitol.

Anti-Republican

The public and the media should demand that the 999 document that added these 67 items should be completely removed from the budget. It's a cesspool of giveaways, takeaways, and dirty-deals that -- if we know about them -- would never pass on their own.

freddiebell

Especially the media. They have the resources to both identify and publicize those late additions to the budget bill and demand accountability for them. It is not unreasonable to say that they have a civic duty to do so. So, then, where are they on this now? The open records issue certainly was important. But it is not the only budget bill addendum worthy of discussion and analysis.

witness2012

Unless conservative media outlets lead the outcry against the new policies in the omnibus 999, you won't see any reaction from this administration.

The Republican majority will not allow any amendments offered by any Democrat, the budget will pass, and Walker will sign it into law by the end of the week.

I don't see any way of stopping any of this- and there are some really terrible policies that are being proposed that would never pass as stand-alone bills.

freddiebell

Which is exactly why the Wisconsin media need to get on top of this, disseminate both the measures and the tactics, and make them a part of the public record, so that the citizenry here is better informed about their representatives and their voting records for the next election cycle, and so that the national media in turn can report on it as Walker declares his plans for the future -- as opposed to prattling on about concluded jail breaks and localized shark attacks.

The press may not be able to stop it. But they surely can make it a known part of the track record of our legislators and governor for future reference and consideration, as should be the case on any election day.

array1

Pretty sure everything that goes to the Joint Finance Committee passes through the governors office first. Next time walker is in Wisconsin someone please ask him what input he had on the plan to eliminate open records. No doubt there'll be some slippery response.

Irishlad908


Hvj

Irishlad908

Can't you just see "Scotty" moving Fitzgerald's mouth from behind with his right hand and looking over his left to make Fitzgerald'sp lips are not movin

Flyfisherman

The republican regime is eerily similar to Germany 1932

Flyfisherman

Time to take out the republican trash!

Flyfisherman

Scrap entire budget and start over! We need a Federal Judicial Probe of Wisconsin republicans

hammersley

@Flyfisherman--YUP

Wis_BlogRider

Have been contacting our Wisconsin representatives and senators in Washington. Their response, it is a State matter. Appears like everyone of our elected officials pass the buck, a catch 22 with no accountability.

Neesha

Wis_BlogRider, Let's be sure the Open Records proposal is truly dead. Their statement said that the Legislature will form a Legislative Council committee to study the issue outside of the budget process. We don't need a study! Open Records is a Law!
Please sign the petition: http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/to-the-wisconsin-legislature?source=c.em.cp&r_by=1957138 Thanks!

Mustang1

Oops! We're forgetting about the innocent individuals involved.

CFR

Governor Scott Walker is the most likely person to have originated this idea because he is the only one in state government who has an immediate and significant need for this proposed secrecy.

This proposed type of secrecy in government is un-American because it removes the citizen from knowledge and therefore participation in government policy development. Long term, this proposed secrecy will lead to all sorts of abuses and corruption.

Neesha

CFR,I agree with you 100% Let's be sure the Open Records proposal is truly dead. Their statement said that the Legislature will form a Legislative Council committee to study the issue outside of the budget process. We don't need a study! Open Records is a Law!
Please sign the petition: http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/to-the-wisconsin-legislature?source=c.em.cp&r_by=1957138 Thanks!

R and B

I hope the open records fiasco doesn't draw attention away from all of the other damaging items in the omnibus budget motion:
http://host.madison.com/omnibus-budget-motion/pdf_64f03373-a6ac-5061-999b-d983fb21b985.html

Note item 27a, which changes the composition of the Joint Survey Committee on Retirement Systems, which is the "legislative oversight committee for all matters relating to proposed statutory changes to state-operated public employee pension plans". Going forward it would be composed entirely of legislators, who as I read this would have no term limits and could even stay on the committee when their legislative term ends.

I have been waiting for the assault on the Wisconsin Retirement System to begin. This appears to be it.

a. Joint Survey Committee on Retirement Systems. Delete current law which provides that the Joint Survey Committee on Retirement Systems (JSCRS) be composed of 10 members as follows: (1) two majority party senators, one minority party senator, two majority party representatives, and one minority party representative, appointed as are the members of standing committees in their respective houses; (2) an assistant attorney general appointed by the Attorney General; (3) a member of the public who is not a participant in any public retirement system in Wisconsin, to be selected by the Governor; (4) the Commissioner of insurance or an experienced actuary in the Commissioner's Office designated by the Commissioner; and (5) the Secretary of Employee Trust Funds or his or her designee. Instead, provide that JSCRS continue to be composed of 10 members, consisting of five senators and five representatives appointed as are members of standing committees in their respective houses. With the elimination of nonlegislator members from JSCRS, delete the requirement that the secretary of JSCRS be elected from the nonlegislator members of the committee. Delete current law which provides that legislators, the assistant attorney general and the member of the public appointed to JSCRS under current law serve for a period of four years and until a successor is appointed and qualified. Further, delete current law which provides that any member of JSCRS ceases to be a member of the committee upon losing the status upon which the appointment was based. Finally, delete current law which specifies that membership on JSCRS must not be incompatible with any other public office.

madisonion

OMG. Please help get this out to the media. If you are right, they are playing us for fools. This cannot happen--we all know where it will lead.

Neesha

Let's be sure the Open Records proposal is truly dead. Their statement said that the Legislature will form a Legislative Council committee to study the issue outside of the budget process. We don't need a study! Open Records is a Law! Please sign the petition: http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/to-the-wisconsin-legislature?source=c.em.cp&r_by=1957138 Thanks!

Hogzilla
Hogzilla

Good info. Thanks.

freddiebell

R and B: It is good that you point this out. I certainly wonder why our media are not all over this as well. Now that they have direct evidence of how secretive the Republican majority acts, as shown clearly by the open records revision fiasco, they should be digging long and deep into every aspect of these last-minute budget bill additions to see what is really in them and making it known to us all.

We depend upon the media to identify and publicize some of these things that individual citizens either don't/can't catch or do not have the wherewithal to bring to the awareness of the masses. Hopefully they do not feel that their responsibility in this budget matter begins and ends with open records. That would be no less shortsighted and self-serving than what the Republican 12 attempted to do: put the self first and let others fend for themselves in the deep end. That, too, is not what democracy looks like. We will see.

Neesha

RandB, let's be sure we always have access to this kind of information. Let's be sure the Open Records proposal is truly dead. Their statement said that the Legislature will form a Legislative Council committee to study the issue outside of the budget process. We don't need a study! Open Records is a Law! Please sign the petition: http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/to-the-wisconsin-legislature?source=c.em.cp&r_by=1957138 Thanks!

Mustang1

Only those that understand the innocent on open record need to speak!!

Mustang1

We need to meet with the innocent that are affected by open record, better known as CCAP to get a better understanding. The ones that committed should stay on record not the innocent. The innocent need to be removed, as it affects their lives years later!

Bootman

MY HERO!!!!!

Seriously? Games like this is why people hate politicians. Now walker can go and tout that he's a CHAMPION for transparency and would of course do that "when" he gets to the white house.

What a pathetic joke

jimatmadison

But…..but……but……Benghazi!!

Signed,
The GOP

Comment deleted.
bookman21
bookman21

@Gotch
Off topic, irrelevant and full of your trademark erroneous assumptions. Do you ever pass on opportunity to insult those that don't share your narrow world view?

Mustang1

...majority go on to college. Then, try to look for employment & they're discriminated against cuz of what's on public record even if it's 11 years old & they never have another offense.

Mustang1

Chuckle...I'm talking dismissed case & not guilty. A lot of individual go to court & are falsely accused. The case is dismissed & still on open record. Most are under 25. I studied law. Look it up! You will agree on that!

richl

“We are steadfastly committed to open and accountable government ...” I'm sorry - but I had to chuckle ..


Neesha

richl, I agree with you 100% Let's be sure this proposal is truly dead. Their statement said that the Legislature will form a Legislative Council committee to study the issue outside of the budget process. We don't need a study! Open Records is a Law!
Please sign the petition: http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/to-the-wisconsin-legislature?source=c.em.cp&r_by=1957138 Thanks!

Mustang1

I agree about removal from CCAP. That is for those whose case was dismissed, under 25 when occurred, & they never committed again. That makes slot of sence. Remember how naive we were back in the day. We learn from our mistakes, but we're lucky we didn't have open records! I'm for removal & I do believe it will eventually go through... Thank God we live in a free country😊

tanager

Terese Agnew ·
Let's not forget about the other 66 motions that were slipped in without public discussion at the last minute. For starters- the Confidentiality Mandate for the Legislative Reference Bureau. The mandate would keep the public completely in the dark as to who is writing our laws, lobbying for those laws and any information about "legislative intent when questions arise". (quote from WSJ). Time to call and write the Joint Committee on Finance again. http://legis.wisconsin.gov/lfb/jfc/Pages/default.aspx

Neesha

tanager, Let's be sure the Open Record proposal is truly dead. Their statement said that the Legislature will form a Legislative Council committee to study the issue outside of the budget process. We don't need a study! Open Records is a Law!
Please sign the petition: http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/to-the-wisconsin-legislature?source=c.em.cp&r_by=1957138 Thanks!

hammersley

From Tanager"The mandate would keep the public completely in the dark..." Uh huh. I took this from USA TODAY. "WISCONSIN--THE MUSHROOM STATE. Feed ' em sh*t and keep 'em in the dark."

Neesha

hammersley, Let's be sure the Open Records proposal is truly dead. Their statement said that the Legislature will form a Legislative Council committee to study the issue outside of the budget process. We don't need a study! Open Records is a Law! Please sign the petition: http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/to-the-wisconsin-legislature?source=c.em.cp&r_by=1957138 Thanks!

Media-man

Hey spammer - StartSpelin.

GodHeals

These are the Republican lawmakers who voted Thursday to keep you in the dark about the public's business:
Sen. Alberta Darling of River Hills;Rep. John Nygren of Marinette
Sen. Leah Vukmir of Wauwatosa; Rep. Dale Kooyenga of Brookfield; Sen. Sheila Harsdorf of River Falls; Sen. Howard Marklein of Spring Green; Sen. Luther Olsen of Ripon; Sen. Tom Tiffany of Hazelhurst; Rep. Mary Czaja of Irma; Rep. Dean Knudson of Hudson; Rep. Amy Loudenbeck of Clinton; and Rep. Michael Schraa of Oshkosh

Reference: Milwaukee Journel Sentinel, Sunday July 5th, 2015

There are the Wisconsin Republicans that below to ALEC:

Rep. John Nygren: Wisconsin State Chair

Wisconsin Legislators with ALEC Ties
Assembly

Rep. Tyler August (R-32),[1] ALEC International Relations Task Force[2] /Federal Relations Working Group Member, Education Task Force Member[3]
Rep. Joan Ballweg (R-41), ALEC Commerce, Insurance and Economic Development Task Force Alternate[4] , Public Safety and Elections Task Force Alternate[5]
Rep. Kathy Bernier (R-68), ALEC Public Safety and Elections Task Force Member [6]
Rep. David Craig (R-83), received a $750 ALEC "scholarship" in 2012[7]
Rep. Mike Endsley (R-26), ALEC Civil Justice Task Force Member [8]
Rep. Mark Honadel (R-21)
Rep. Andre Jacque (R-2), ALEC Civil Justice Task Force Member[9] , International Relations Task Force Member[10]
Rep. Chris Kapenga (R-99),[1] ALEC Civil Justice Task Force Alternate [11]
Rep. John Klenke (R-88), ALEC Tax and Fiscal Policy Task Force Alternate[12], Commerce, Insurance and Economic Development Task Force Member[13]
Rep. Dan Knodl (R-24), ALEC Health and Human Services Task Force Alternate[14], Public Safety and Elections Task Force Alternate[15]
Rep. Dean Knudson (R-30), ALEC Education Task Force Alternate[16]
Rep. Bill Kramer (R-97),[1] ALEC Communications and Technology Task Force Alternate[17] , Commerce, Insurance and Economic Development Task Force Member[18]
Rep. Scott Krug (R-72), ALEC Public Safety and Elections Task Force Alternate [6]
Rep. Mike Kuglitsch (R-84),[1] ALEC International Relations Task Force[19] , Civil Justice Task Force Member [20]
Rep. Tom Larson (R-67), ALEC Communications and Technology Task Force Member[21]
Rep. Daniel LeMahieu (R-59), ALEC Tax and Fiscal Policy Task Force Alternate [22]
Rep. Amy Loudenbeck (R-45), ALEC Commerce, Insurance and Economic Development Task Force Alternate[23]
Rep. Dave Murphy (R-56)[24]
Rep. Stephen Nass (R-33),[1] Education Task Force Member[25] , International Relations Task Force Member[26]
Rep. John Nygren (R-89)[1],State Chairman[27] ALEC Health and Human Services Task Force Member[28], Education Task Force Member[29]
Rep. Warren Petryk (R-93), ALEC Health and Human Services Task Force Member[30]
Rep. Don Pridemore (R-22), attended ALEC's 2012 States and Nation Policy Summit in Washington, DC in December 2012[31]
Rep. Keith Ripp (R-42)
Rep. Michael Schraa (R-53), disclosed $1,200 in expenses related to ALEC in 2012 that had not yet been reimbursed[7]
Rep. Erik Severson (R-28), ALEC Health and Human Services Task Force Member[32]
Rep. Jim Steineke (R-5), ALEC Energy, Environment and Agriculture Task Force Member[33]
Rep. Jeffrey Stone (R-82)
Rep. Patricia Strachota (R-58), ALEC Tax and Fiscal Policy Task Force Member [22]
Rep. Scott Suder (R-69), former ALEC State Chairman,[34] Public Safety and Elections Task Force Member [6] and Co-chair of the Homeland Security Committee in 2007[35]
Rep Rob Swearingen (R-34)[1]
Rep. Jeremy Thiesfeldt (R-52), ALEC Education Task Force Alternate[36]
Rep. Travis Tranel (R-49), ALEC Public Safety and Elections Task Force Alternate [6]
Rep. Robin Vos (R-63), State Chairman,[34] Tax and Fiscal Policy Task Force Member, [22] and attended 2011 ALEC annual meeting[37]
Rep. Chad Weininger (R-4), ALEC Energy, Environment and Agriculture Task Force Alternate[38]

Senate

Sen. Alberta Darling (R-8)[39], ALEC Tax and Fiscal Policy Task Force Alternate[40], Commerce, Insurance and Economic Development Task Force Member[41]
Sen. Michael Ellis (R-19)
Sen. Paul Farrow (R-33),[1] ALEC Communications and Technology Task Force Member[42], Education Task Force Member[43]
Sen. Scott Fitzgerald (R-13), ALEC Public Safety and Elections Task Force Member [6] and former State Chairman - A staff member stated in a July 2013 email to constituents that Sen. Fitzgerald is no longer an ALEC member,[44] but in September 2013 the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that he had rejoined ALEC.[45]
Sen. Glenn Grothman (R-20), ALEC Education Task Force Member[46], International Relations Task Force Member[47]
Sen. Sheila Harsdorf (R-10)
Sen. Neal Kedzie (R-11)
Sen. Frank Lasee (R-1), ALEC Commerce, Insurance and Economic Development Task Force Alternate[48]
Sen. Mary Lazich (R-28), ALEC Health and Human Services Task Force Member[49] - Sen. Lazich told a constituent by email in March 2013 that she is no longer an ALEC member.[50] Lazich confirmed to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel in September 2013 that she had not rejoined ALEC.[45] Please see Legislators Who Have Cut Ties to ALEC for more.
Sen. Terry Moulton (R-23), ALEC Tax and Fiscal Policy Task Force Member[51]
Sen. Leah Vukmir (R-5),[1] ALEC Health and Human Services Task Force Co-chair[52]

Former Representatives

Rep. Jeff Fitzgerald (R-39), ALEC Commerce, Insurance and Economic Development Task Force Member[53]
Former Rep. Michael Huebsch (R), ALEC Energy, Environment and Agriculture Task Force Member[54] , International Relations Task Force Member[55] and former State Chairman[56]
Former Speaker Scott Jensen (R), ALEC Member[57]
Rep. Joseph Knilans (R-44), ALEC Tax and Fiscal Policy Task Force Alternate[58], Communications and Technology Task Force Member[59]
Rep. Michelle Litjens (R-56), ALEC Health and Human Services Task Force Alternate, Energy, Environment and Agriculture Task Force Member [60]
Former Rep. Phil Montgomery (R) (head of the Wisconsin Public Services Commission as of 2011)[61], Communications and Technology Task Force Member[62]
Former Rep. Betty Jo Nelsen, former ALEC Assembly Vice Chairman[63]
Rep. Roger Rivard (R-75), ALEC Energy, Environment and Agriculture Task Force Member [64]
Former Rep. Loiita Schneiders (former Minority Caucus Secretary)[63]
Rep. Karl Van Roy (R-90), ALEC Energy, Environment and Agriculture Task Force Member[61]
Former Rep. Susan Vergeront, former ALEC Assembly Membership Coordinator[63]
Rep. Evan Wynn (R-43), ALEC Education Task Force Alternate[65]
Former Rep. Dwight York, former ALEC Assembly Legislative Coordinator[63]

Former Senators

Former Sen. Susan Engeleiter (R-Waukesha, former Senate Minority Leader, former Honeywell Vice President of Government Affairs, now CEO of Data Recognition Corporation, a privately held company that provides services to state departments of education, medium-to-large-size global businesses and to the United States government[66])[63]
Former Sen. Pam Galloway (R-29), ALEC International Relations Task Force Member[67] (resigned from office on March 17, 2012)
Former Sen. Randy Hopper (legislator)|Randy B. Hopper]] (R-18), ALEC Communications and Technology Task Force Member, International Relations Task Force[68] Member, Tax and Fiscal Policy Task Force Alternate, Commerce, Insurance and Economic Development Task Force Member[69] (recalled and removed from office August 9, 2011)
Former Sen. Dan Kapanke (R-32), ALEC Energy, Environment and Agriculture Task Force Alternate[70] (recalled and removed from office August 9, 2011)
Former Sen. Alan Lasee (replaced by his younger cousin, Sen. Frank Lasee), former ALEC Senate Vice Chairman[63]
Former Sen. Joseph Leean, former ALEC Senate Membership Coordinator[63]
Former Sen. Peggy Rosenzweig (R) sat on board of UW system, 2003-2008, later sat on board of Wisconsin Technical College System. [71]
Former Sen. Brian Rude, former ALEC Senate Legislative Coordinator[63]
Former Sen. Donald Stitt (R-Port Washington), former ALEC State Chairman[63]
Former Sen. Greg Underheim (R) [71]
Former Sen. Van Wanggaard (R-21), ALEC Tax and Fiscal Policy Task Force Member[72], Communications and Technology Task Force Member[73] - recalled June 2012[74]
Sen. Rich Zipperer (R-33), ALEC Civil Justice Task Force Member[75]

Wisconsin Legislators With ALEC References in Blue Books

Sen. Donald K. Stitt (R) – State Chairman of ALEC (1987-1988), Member (1991-1992 and 1993-1994) (also State Chairman in 1986[76])
Rep. Susan B. Vergeront (R) – WI Chairperson (1989-1990 and maybe 1991-1992)
Task Force on Empowerment, Family and Urban Planning
ALEC Legislator of the year (1991)
Rep. Marc C. Duff (R) - (1991 – 1998)
Rep. Annette P. Williams (D) – America’s Outstanding State Legislator Award (1990)
Mary Lazich (R) – Member (1993 – 1998)
Timothy T. Hoven (R) – Member (1995-1998)
Task Force Commerce and Economic Development (1997-1998)
Michael Huebsch (R) – Member (1995-1996)* Huebsch was the state co-chairman in at least 2010 if not before, until he became an appointee of Governor Scott Walker in 2011
Mark A. Green (R) – State Chairman (1995-1998)
Jeffrey T. Plale (D) – Member (1997-2010)
Tommy Thompson (R) – Thomas Jefferson Award Winner (1991)
Neal Kedzie (R) – Member (1999-2010)
Jeff Fitzgerald (R) – Member (2001-2011)
Bonnie L. Ladwig (R) – Member (2001-2002)
Steve Wieckert (R) – Member (2003-2004)
Scott Walker (R) – Member (1995 – 1998)
Judith Klusman (R) – Member, Task Force on Telecommunications and Agriculture
David A. Zien (R) – Member (1995 – 1996)
Scott Suder (R) – Criminal Justice Task Force Co-Chair (2002-2004), Member (2002-2010)
Sen. Van Wanggaard (R-Racine)[77]

Wisconsin Legislators Mentioning ALEC in their Statements of Economic Interest
2012 Assembly

Tyler August (R) - Received $1,229
David Craig (R) - Received $750 ALEC scholarship, but noted on his ethics statement that he had not yet received payment
Dan Knodl (R) - Received $2,250
Dean Knudson (R) - Received $1,500
Mike Kuglitsch (R) - Received $750
Michael Schraa (R) - Disclosed $1,200 in expenses from ALEC that had not yet been reimbursed
Jim Steineke (R) - $2,050 in ALEC expenses[7]

2011 Senate

Scott Fitzgerald (R) - Received $1,529.93

2011 Assembly

Jeff Fitzgerald (R) - Received $1,329
Dan Knodl (R) - Received $2,000
Patricia Strachota (R) - Received $1,404
Robin Vos (R) - Received $? (No specific amount)

2010 Senate

Scott Fitzgerald (R) - Received $1,466.93

2010 Assembly

Scott Suder (R) - Received $1,200 from ALEC and $1,400 from the Heartland Institute
Michael Huebsch (R) - Received $2,000

2009 Assembly

Kitty Rhoades (R) - Received $575
Jeffery Stone (R) - Received $1,200
Scott Suder (R) - Received $2,200

Wisconsin Legislators Paying ALEC Membership Fees with Tax Dollars

Dan Kapanke (R-La Crosse): $100 – 2/1/2011
Mary Lazich (R-New Berlin): $100 – 2/1/2011
Terry Moulton (R-Chippewa Falls): $100 – 2/1/2011
Van Wanggaard (R-Racine): $100 – 2/1/2011
Rich Zipperer (R-Pewaukee): $100- 2/1/2011
Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau): $100 – 1/1/2011
Pam Galloway (R-Wausau): $100 – 1/1/2011
Glenn Grothman (R-West Bend): $100 – 1/1/2011
Frank Lasee (R): $200 – 1/1/2011
Alberta Darling (R-River Hills): $200 – 1/1/2009
Michael Ellis (R-Neenah): $100 – 1/1/2009
Neal Kedzie (R-Neenah): $100 – 1/1/2007
Michael Ellis (R-Neenah): $100 – 1/1/2007
Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau): $200 – 1/1/2007[78]


Neesha

Godheals, thanks for sharing this information! Let's be sure this proposal is truly dead. Their statement said that the Legislature will form a Legislative Council committee to study the issue outside of the budget process.
Please sign the petition: http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/to-the-wisconsin-legislature?source=c.em.cp&r_by=1957138 Thanks!

Neesha

P.S. How is it that "memberships" of any kind can be paid with tax dollars? If I recall correctly, State reimbursement guidelines do not allow this! Memberships are to be paid with personal money.

witness2012

God heals, your information would be mre compelling if it were current.

You've listed people as in the assembly and senate that no longer are.

Off the top of my head, you have Ellis, Grothman, and Kedzie listed as being state senators- they no longer are- and Stone, Suder, LeMahieu, Kramer, and Nas as being in the assembly- they are not.

Cornelius_Gotchberg
Cornelius_Gotchberg

@timothylytle21 -;

Hey that sounds great! Me & all my friends are always looking for get-rich-quick schemes.

Heck, I even patterned my approach to life after opportunist extraordinaire Mr. Eustace Charleston Haney from "Green Acres."

My favorite character was Arnold Ziffel, though.

I'm in!!!

Sincerely;

Crow Barr

digger

"No one claimed responsibility", this state is full of politicians good at shooting off their mouth's, it's called, "Follow the Leader"!

Neesha

digger, Let's be sure this proposal is truly dead. Their statement said that the Legislature will form a Legislative Council committee to study the issue outside of the budget process.
Please sign the petition: http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/to-the-wisconsin-legislature?source=c.em.cp&r_by=1957138 Thanks!

JUST US

We'll see how much they are willing to have open and accountable government when on Monday they are asked to describe how this fiasco came to be and who were the people responsible. I bet their willingness for open and accountable will end right there!!!!!! This time it must be demanded that they bring forth the truth from the governor, Vos, Fitz, Nygren and Darling.

Mary Erpenbach

It was GovWalker. Whether they say it was him remains to be seen, but it came directly from him. Bet the house on it.

ZMT44

Yes. And if that's the case, he will come across as the dirty scoundrel that he is, not some sort of savior for transparent government.

hammersley

@Mary Erpenbach--Of course it came from Walker. And he has call the proposal "reasonable" REASONABLE! So, why does it matter which toady he selects to give him cover?

Neesha

just us, Let's be sure this proposal is truly dead. Their statement said that the Legislature will form a Legislative Council committee to study the issue outside of the budget process.
Please sign the petition: http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/to-the-wisconsin-legislature?source=c.em.cp&r_by=1957138 Thanks!

number6

Another interesting element of this debacle is that the originator of this intended fundamental change to our laws and traditions -- that mysterious, unknown person who seemingly is lurking in the shadows by choice, trembling in fear of being revealed, presumably -- never thought to maybe run the idea by the attorney general for an opinion. Fail!

joe

This was written like a CT opinion piece more than an objective article by wsj. Maybe that is becoming the norm in madison. Instead of facts, we hear the standard erpenbach rants. Yes, we know erpenbach hates the GOP. How about specifics of the bill.

Cornelius_Gotchberg
Cornelius_Gotchberg

@joe;

"How about specifics of the bill."

Specifics don't whip up the mob mentality as effectively as broad-brushed, emotion-based slobbering.

The Gotch

bookman21
bookman21

@Gotch
Are we to gather that you are in favor of this insult to our intelligence? Or do you actually believe this “We are steadfastly committed to open and accountable government ...” claptrap?
You are misguided and ruled more by your emotion than your thought, but not stupid.

Cornelius_Gotchberg
Cornelius_Gotchberg

The GUTLESS "Report Abuse" Brigade COWARD(S) strike again.

They must not like the fact that I agree with them, how freakin' twisted is that?

Reposting:

@bookman21;

"Are we to gather that you are in favor of this insult to our intelligence?"

No sir/ma'am, I never was, am not, and never would be.

Matter-of-fact I posted a couple of days ago that less oversight is NEVER a good idea.

Regrettably, the GUTLESS "Report Abuse" Brigade COWARD(S) deleted it.

It was one of the very few posts I didn't save thinking no rogue Lefty would delete it because I was actually agreeing with them.

I tried to apply logic and a linear thinking process to what is ultimately a clearly illogical, non-linear force, I won't make that mistake again.

"You are misguided and ruled more by your emotion than your thought, but not stupid."

That what you call a back-handed compliment?

The Gotch

Mary Erpenbach

Jon doesn't hate GOP. At all. He is more concerned about the harm they're doing to themselves than most Dems you'll ever meet. They are his colleagues and his friends. That said, he is a member of the loyal opposition and a big fan of limited and effective good government, so he speaks out when GOP acts counter to those principles. There's no need to be so dismissive, imo.

Norwood44

joe. Previous coverage detailed specifics of the bill. It was right for Jon Erpenbach to speak out against this it, and those behind it. You should thank him rather than accuse him of a rant. No citizen of any political stripe should support any bill that undermines transparency in government. The introduction of this bill makes the Republicans look more like members of the Church of Scientology that the Wisconsin state legislature.

freddiebell

joe: Let's be very precise about this. Are you for or against the proposal to restrict open records laws, and why? Simple question. Tell us where you stand on this important public policy issue. Your credibility is squarely on the line.

Observer5

That pic of Fitzzy, Scooter, and Vos reminds one of the previous three stooges- Bush, Cheney, and Rumsfeld. Remember where they took us and be very afraid.

number6

“The intended policy goal of these changes was to provide a reasonable solution to protect constituents’ privacy and to encourage a deliberative process between elected officials and their staff in developing policy."

All constituents, elected officials, and their staffs should exercise the courage of their convictions -- no pun intended, in the cases of Scottie staff -- and be willing to stand behind their words and their actions. What does it say when a person is afraid of the possibility of their actions becoming known? I feel nearly all interactions with and among elected officials should be public record (there may be some exceptions in the realms of 'personnel issues' and personal security -- no problem).

gdp

The use of open records law to impede the legislative process without more is an abuse. The move to alter, an attention grabber, not to enable corruption, but to force a consideration that such laws should not be used for political gain, indeed, should be clear of any politics in the enforcement. To the extent there is a lack of faith or a cynicism respecting the integrity of legislators to adhere to the Constitutions in performing their duties, perhaps such laws serve to curtail abuse. But, that may be regarded as acquiescence to the sociopathic. Open records serve a purpose, as stated previously, to furnish foundation for a lack of clarity in legislation proper. They should not be employed for the purpose of instigating witch-hunts or dragnets, but at least a brake to the legislative function, something disruptive and ultimately destructive of the public confidence. Notice is essential for law, without which there can be no just punishment. Records support that purpose. But, it is the pot calling the kettle black to suborn what Pelosi et al did on Obamacare and condemn the Republicans for addressing the abuse of the practice.

Rethink

To start out with "gdp" this sentence makes absolutely no sense "The use of open records law to impede the legislative process without more is an abuse."

You seem to have just learned some new words you want to try out in the rest of your monolog which are cloudy, muddy and otherwise, semi-opaque: You do not like Open Records laws that might link Republicans to extreme legislation that the insanely rich living outside of Wisconsin want and need to make the 99% shut up and take what is coming their way in secret. Then you turn to Obamacare which is a neon-light to show you are an caricature of the empty argument: Change the Topic. Lets assume you want to change the topic. Let me make a comparison when Democrats run a muck in your eyes: Tens of Millions more people get healthcare. When Republicans run a muck you get wars, hate, and concentration of wealth :Example: I think abuse of Power is leading young Americans into a made up war based on weapons of mass-destruction that was total BS. This war cost hundreds of billions to trillions considering over a decade of constant war, creation of ISIS, and hatred and mistrust of the US for decades or more. These wars have torn off of the arms and legs of many young people, killed hundreds of thousands of people, and destroyed opportunities at home in the USA to rebuild our country. Republicans are the instrument of Mass Destruction and their deeds are very quantifiable.

WI_Expat

End justifies the means when it comes to lefty legislation...situational ethics

GodHeals

WI-excrap

You have got to playing with your child's boomerang. You have got to be Kidding !

Look what these SOBs did. You are so incredibly stupid for bringing up this up.

End justify the means. Right.

These are the Republican lawmakers who voted Thursday to keep you in the dark about the public's business:
Sen. Alberta Darling of River Hills;Rep. John Nygren of Marinette
Sen. Leah Vukmir of Wauwatosa; Rep. Dale Kooyenga of Brookfield; Sen. Sheila Harsdorf of River Falls; Sen. Howard Marklein of Spring Green; Sen. Luther Olsen of Ripon; Sen. Tom Tiffany of Hazelhurst; Rep. Mary Czaja of Irma; Rep. Dean Knudson of Hudson; Rep. Amy Loudenbeck of Clinton; and Rep. Michael Schraa of Oshkosh

Reference: Milwaukee Journel Sentinel, Sunday July 5th, 2015

The end justify the means. God are you dumb.

Chair of ALEC is (yes the same guy in the gang of 12 list above)

Rep. John Nygren: ALEC Wisconsin State Chair

freddiebell

Keep embarrassing yourself on this issue, WI_Expat. You are the gift that keeps on giving.

kashka-kat

THERE NEEDS TO BE a serious challenge to the Repubs not only hiding the process and the originators of this particular legislation.... but stalling on releasing docs related to the re writing of the Wisconsin Idea (journalists are stil waiting on that one apparently). Prob lots of other things as well.

In other words - this very situation is a good example of why we need open records laws. Lets.make full vigorous use of Wis open records laws NOW while.we still have them. In fact add more teeth to the legislation so they cant stall indefinitely.

Snooze you lose. Use it or lose it!

jimatmadison

Serious questions for my Republican friends:

Ignoring all of the false equivalencies, and 'Benghazi!', and Obama this and Hillary that, do any of you believe the GOP narrative that this was anything other than an attempt to hide the truth from the people of Wisconsin?

Should the person who snuck this into the bill be identified, and should that person reveal who put them up to it?

Should any of the people who voted for this lose their jobs, even to another Republican?

hammersley

Walker called the proposal "reasonable". Why does it matter who he gets to fall on their sword?

Neesha

jimatmadison, Let's be sure this proposal is truly dead. Their statement said that the Legislature will form a Legislative Council committee to study the issue outside of the budget process.
Please sign the petition: http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/to-the-wisconsin-legislature?source=c.em.cp&r_by=1957138 Thanks!

davea

Chirp - Chirp - Chirp - - - - - -

Comment deleted.
freddiebell

Hear, hear. It continues to boggle the mind how those people cannot see how many bridges they are burning behind them as they pursue their hyperpartisan and now self-serving agendas. They richly deserve all of the mounting scorn that they are facing. Quite possibly the chickens of the last four and a half years finally are coming home to roost.

freddiebell

This issue is not resolved.

The withdrawal of the measure was the right thing to do, but it should not have been proposed in the first place. That fact that it was sent forward, and would have become law had both we the people of Wisconsin and the watchdogs in the media not intervened, bears additional scrutiny. These questions still need answers, and we should continue to demand them until they come:

1) Exactly who was responsible for formulating and proposing the measure, and why did he/she/they do so?

2) Why was this initiative, among others, introduced into a budget bill when it has/they have nothing to do with the budget?

3) Why was there no public hearing on the proposal and no direct opportunity afforded to the citizens and taxpayers of the state -- the employers of these legislators -- to be a part of the process when it stood to have a major impact upon them?

4) Why was this proposal taken up late on a day right before a holiday weekend? Why the sneaky timing and the attempt to obscure such an important proposal?

Then there is the issue of what Scott Walker, as the governor of this state, knew and when he knew it. What role did he play in the process from beginning to end? How involved was he, and at what stages? Will he offer a permanent, binding pledge to keep all of our open records laws intact as they are and not whittle them down or away over time ("changes," whatever he meant by that initially)? We need to hear from him, too, on the record and get his definitive position statement on open records and if/how he will fight to maintain them in the future -- or not.

Lastly, there are the individual legislators among the Republican 12. They put the measure forward. They voted for it. They opted, of their own free will and accord, to compromise your best interests as a citizen and taxpayer in the name of protecting and even enhancing their own interests as politicians. I do not believe it out of line to call their vote on this issue treasonous. There should be stern political consequences for their decision and their action, just as any of us would face severe sanctions if we strove to undermine our bosses' authority under cover of darkness and cloaked in secrecy. Quite probably we would lose our jobs for that. Shouldn't they suffer the same fate?

Remember their names, folks, in the next election cycle. Here they are again:

Mary Czaja
Alberta Darling
Sheila Harsdorf
Dean Knudson
Dale Kooyenga
Amy Loudenbeck
Howard Marklein
John Nygren
Luther Olsen
Michael Schraa
Tom Tiffany
Leah Vukmir

These are the people who willingly voted to take away one of your most important freedoms. They chose their own best interests over yours, even though they work for you and you pay their salary/benefits. They voted to compromise the rights of Wisconsin citizens and taxpayers on both sides of the political spectrum, Republican as well as Democratic. They need to take ownership of their choice and accept consequences for it, just as any of us would have to do. Remember their names, folks, especially if they work for you in your district. Remember. As the old saying holds, and often accurately so: those who forget the past are condemned to relive it.

Demand answers, fellow citizens and taxpayers. Demand responsibility and accountability. It is your rights that are under attack. And make your voices heard accordingly when these people are up for reelection in the near future.

jimatmadison

Not one Republican will lose his or her seat over this.

And that is to Wisconsin's great and continuing shame.

If you would have told me thirty years ago that my Wisconsin could become such a political cesspool, I would not have believed it possible.

But this is who we are now.

You watch. Every name on your list gets reelected. Every one.

Neesha

freddiebell, Let's be sure this proposal is truly dead. Their statement said that the Legislature will form a Legislative Council committee to study the issue outside of the budget process.
Please sign the petition: http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/to-the-wisconsin-legislature?source=c.em.cp&r_by=1957138 Thanks!

arkadie7

Even scumbags know when they've overstepped their reach. My guess is this is another stupid idea by Nygren. Since no one has come forward to claim responsibility we have to assume that all republicans are cowardly cretins only one step removed from complete fascism.

kashka-kat

A Koch boilerplate no doubt..

Norwood44

Clearly a good thing that this bill is being killed, but the damage has been done to the state Republicans. That fact that they even considered the action is damning, regardless of the fact that they walked it back.

freddiebell

Exactly. And we the people, on both sides of the political aisle, need to remember that and take it to the polls in the next election cycle.

There is no overstating how serious this open records issue is to our shared democracy and how strongly negative the impact could have been had the Republican 12 gotten away with their vote. I'll say it again: it is not out of line to consider their action to be treasonous to the citizens of this state and their best interests. There must be consequences for that, lest they try it again some other time, and perhaps get away with it. They crossed a line that simply cannot be passed, or even approached, in a healthy democracy. If proverbial heads must roll, then so be it.

Neesha

arkadie7, Let's be sure this proposal is truly dead. Their statement said that the Legislature will form a Legislative Council committee to study the issue outside of the budget process.
Please sign the petition: http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/to-the-wisconsin-legislature?source=c.em.cp&r_by=1957138 Thanks!

Neesha

Norwood44, Let's be sure this proposal is truly dead. Their statement said that the Legislature will form a Legislative Council committee to study the issue outside of the budget process.
Please sign the petition: http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/to-the-wisconsin-legislature?source=c.em.cp&r_by=1957138 Thanks!

ZMT44

This bill to squash open records by walker and his republicans was the best thing that came out of budget. They have been exposed in broad daylight, and on Independence Day, no less. . Dirty scoundrels.

bluffsinview

Republican lawmakers: Do you want to be heroes here in WI and on the national stage? Do you want to be re-elected? Here's what you need to do to achieve both of those things: First, unite - I know Fitz and Vos won't join you, but even 15 of you can do this. Get together and tell the truth. I know, you're unaccustomed to that, afraid of the governor's vindictiveness, but you can do it and it will pay in huge measures. Tell who's behind this. Tell who's behind the ban on you emailing. Tell what kind of threats you've received if you don't toe the line. Expose the whole sorry mess. He can't go after all of you. He can only hurt you if you stand alone, so get together. I know you have morals but are afraid - don't be - he will be totally powerless against you as a group. Do it. I dare you. You'll be glad you did.

aprilshowers

Your naivety is charming.

liverpool

Scooter and his gang of goons are probably the best thing that could have happened to the Democratic Party.

Anti-Republican

Walker made the announcement Saturday afternoon in a joint statement with Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, R-Juneau, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, and Joint Finance Committee co-Chairs, Sen. Alberta Darling, R-River Hills, and Rep. John Nygren, R-Marinette.

“We are steadfastly committed to open and accountable government...[we]...never intended to inhibit transparent government in any way.”

We're supposed to believe this even as they REFUSE to tell us who put this in the budget?

There are liars, damn liars, and then there's Nygren, Darling, Vos, Fitzgerald, and Walker.

freddiebell

Until they come clean on absolutely every aspect of this issue and answer all of our legitimate questions as both citizens and the taxpayers who employ them, there is no truly "open and accountable government." There is just some percentage or fraction thereof. Thus we need to demand more answers and more information. And we need to get them.

This is a slippery slope issue, and we cannot give them any ground, lest they take still more if/when/how they can. We now have seen that a number of our legislators, within the inner circles of the Republican Party and state government, have their own best interests at heart and not ours. They have broken the bond of trust with the public and forfeited the benefit of the doubt via their shenanigans. We must regard and treat them accordingly going forward.

Observer5

Love the spin and fabrication of the proposal's supposed intent- "protect constituents' privacy". These righty legislative loonies are the most loathsome and despicable bunch of politicians this state has ever seen.

MadCityYokal

We'll Never Vote Republican
[I'll Never Fall In Love Again, by Burt Bacharach and Hal David]

Who did we get when we voted for Gov?
Perhaps Walker's Evil Double?
We've a Gov who's nothing but trouble.
We'll never vote Republican
We'll never vote Republican

What did he write in this Budget Bill?
Not Affordable Care. Don't catch pneumonia.
He'll cut health funds and then disown yah
We'll never vote Republican
Oh! Don't you vote Republican!

Getting dough is what it's all about
He's everywhere with his hands out
Chasing those greens those greens that bind you
Oh! He will lie. Must I remind you?!

Why are we stuck with this awful Gov?
He only gives lies and pain and sorrow
So for now and tomorrow
We'll never vote Republican
We'll never vote Republican

He's chasing those green those greens that bind you
He'll always lie. I must remind you!

Might we get rid of this awful Gov?
He only lies. Oh, Pain! Oh, Sorrow!
So for now, for all tomorrows
I'll never vote Republican
You'll never vote Republican
We'll NEVER vote Republican!

LiLa
LiLa

Genious!

Irishlad908

Can you see Scotty's right hand moving Fitzgerald's mouth and leaning over the left shoulder making sure his mouth isn't movingly?
Awesome☺️☺️☺️☺️

Irishlad908

Walker's puppeteer AKA Koch brothers pulled his strings, telling him to get him to get his ass back to Wisconsin and silence his cronies before the damage can be traced all the back to the "Coal kings." Hey Webb, don't desert him now when he needs as many
#*%¥! narrow minded such as yourself to take as much heat off "Scotty" as possible. Keep on writing Webb boy, Keep on.

ZMT44

Did we find out WHO authored this bill yet? No? Is that info gonna come on Monday after Walker and the other weasels talk?? Maybe.

Crow Barr
Crow Barr

Get a load of this story on Huffingtonpost.com --- what an awesome dufuss picture of scatty!

madisonion

OMG...EVERYONE needs to look at the homepage of Huffington Post this very instant.

It's over before his logo is even done being revealed. Sorry, Scottie.

mzd
mzd

Lay responsibility for this outrageous proposal at Scooter's doorstep. Nothing happens in the Wisconsin Legislature without his tacit approval.

koala

Let's keep in mind that the JFC could have used the same considerate approach in shelving the proposed cuts to the UW System as they did in shelving this despicable proposal to gut open records law. After all, 70% of the voters are AGAINST the further cuts to the UW.

The open-records scam got shelved because both RIGHTIES and lefties blew back hard on this, not just lefties. And the scam raised deep questions about Walker's ethics at a moment that just isn't very convenient. Wisconsin righties, for whatever idiotic reason, as a group have a very strong anti-intellectual streak and so weren't quite as moved by the UW cuts – although, again, 70% of the voters overall are against them. Clearly, the Republican leaders feel that somewhere between 70 and 78% voter support is the tipping point against the measures that they would realllyyy like to pass – they did retreat on the proposed further slashes to K-12 education, opposed by 78% of the voters.

BUT: cuts to the UW (esp UW-Madison) are just going to be outright destructive to the state as a whole, with very very little upside for 99% of the voters. Right-wing Texans – and their credentials are certainly more secure than righties in Wisconsin – have, in their wisdom, chosen not to undercut THEIR crown jewel, the University of Texas, despite it and Austin being liberal bastions. Walker, Vos, Fitzgerald, Nygren, Darling and the Usual Suspect on this site might consider why the Texans are doing that while they want to trash the UW-Madison.

I'd like to hear arguments from the Usual Suspects why the UW Madison should be slashed and UT should be supported.

jimatmadison

If Iowa Republicans have an ounce of morality or character, this should sink Walker in their must-have, next door caucuses.

Comment deleted.
Crow Barr
Crow Barr

Thanks for the repeat Bill! Sums it up! Darling and Nygren are covering for Walker!

Wis_taxpayer
Wis_taxpayer

"The Founding Liberals"

Today is the Fourth of July, a time when we as Americans celebrate our nations independence. Conservatives across the country are pretending to be patriotic.

Liberals on the other hand are celebrating the biggest achievement that appears on their resume’: the founding of America and its government. You see, the Founding Fathers were, and always will be, liberals. And here are seven reasons why.

http://www.addictinginfo.org/2013/05/20/the-founding-liberals/

Hogzilla
Hogzilla

Well, we can all go back to ignoring you now. Thanks for the laughs!

Wis_taxpayer
Wis_taxpayer

Looks like you're the only one laughing...

kooler

what a bunch of scum bags. totally gutless wonders. all this on "independence day". hope gotch chokes on his turkey. he and his ilk are responsible for this dispicable behavior. the thought of a gutless, heartless, scrupless, chicken hawk like walker as a serious presidential candidate is not only nauseating but frightening as well. keep drinking the kool aid.

Wis_BlogRider

Drinking cool aid? Could Jones Town be repeating itself in Wisconsin?

Krystal2

Presidential ambition over rides the legislature! However! from the comments of Voss and Fitzgerald this issue is evidently not dead with them. What blatant, self-serving idiots - and on the very day we celebrate our Independence. This issue should be dead! This Legislature and its leaders are not smarter than those that have gone before them. They are just trying to quell criticism and coverup their actions. Its high time these people get voted out of office - starting with the 12 Republicans that voted for this in committee! And they think they are upstanding citizens! More like crooks promoting their own self interests.

Wis_BlogRider

Is it still possible to vote them out of office with the rigged corrupt voting system that these treasonous bought and paid for corrupt legislators put in place? Gerrymandered districts. Voter suppression legislation. And worst of all, demoralization of the people in Wisconsin who are not informed and to tired of all these attacks on their well being. Just wondering?

freddiebell

This has the potential to be one of those "teachable moments" that we occasionally hear about.

The one good thing that has come out if this whole open records fiasco is that the voice of the people can and will be heard if it is loud enough, and if it is unified. If we apply the same sense of purpose to the redistricting issue, among others that impact both sides of the political spectrum, we could get real results that both change and improve the process. Let's get it done, folks. Let's use the power at our disposal to make sure that our politicians represent our interests first and foremost rather than their own.

Mary Erpenbach

wth almost happened and why did it almost happen? http://wispolitics.com/mobile.iml?Article=351700

geo_

"We are steadfastly committed to open and accountable government," . So why won't they name who proposed this failed policy. They obviously lack the convictions of their words, why won't whoever proposed this assault on democracy come forward and accept responsibility for this failed policy. Why?, we've seen over and over again how the current crop of Wisconsin republicans lacks the conviction of principles and refuses to accept personal responsibility. One need only look at the way they have usurped the principles of the Declaration of Independence over the last few years. Today they're all wearing red, white and blue, marching in parades and proclaiming their patriotism when in all actuality they've done more damage to the traditions of America than our enemies could have hoped too.

Anonymous Challenger
Anonymous Challenger

At the moment I forgot who said this.
Facisim will come to America wrapped in a flag and carrying a cross.
Sad to think Americans used to be more intelligent than they are now.
Many years ago the Nazis were across the Atlantic But now they're our neighbors.
For anyone doubting that the actions of Walker and the Republicans are the same actions of Hitler and the Nazis just look it up.
God bless America with liberty and justice for all.

jimatmadison

The current crop of Wisconsin Republicans have a LOT to hide.

They'll find another way to do this.

I notice even the Republicans who claimed to be against this all along and in favor of open government are participating in the cover-up on who put this in the bill.

Wis_taxpayer
Wis_taxpayer

What has our great State been reduced to? When legislators try to hide what they are doing from the people who elect them.

This is a sad page in our States history, an embarrassment of a power hungry political party that has no shame.

Voters of Wisconsin, do you really think this issue is dead? Maybe you didn't read the article carefully...

"The statement said that the Legislature will form a Legislative Council committee to study the issue outside of the budget process."

That's far from dead in my book!

Wisconsinites remember not so long ago another Republican who brought embarrassment to our great State... Joseph McCarthy Republican State Senator.

From Wikipedia;

"The term McCarthyism, coined in 1950 in reference to McCarthy's practices, was soon applied to similar anti-communist activities.

Today the term is used more generally in reference to demagogic, reckless, and unsubstantiated accusations, as well as public attacks on the character or patriotism of political opponents."

Remind you of anyone?

196ski
196ski

"What has our great State been reduced to? When legislators try to hide what they are doing from the people who elect them."

You cannot be serious Wis_taxpayer., Democrats have done the exact same thing when they could. That doesn't make it right, its despicable, but don't pretend only Republicans do it.

Democrats passed a Tax and Fee increase on June 29, 2009, with:
No public comment.
No floor discussion.
The completed the entire process in 24 hours giving NO ONE the opportunity to even comment on the proposed bill.

Republicans made a mistake when they passed Act 10. They should have never put it up for floor debate or public comment. They should have just slammed it thru and signed it in 24 hours. No time to protest, comment or carry on in the Capitol.

Sadly you are blind to the fact that both parties do this, both take advantage of unique opportunities to push legislation with minimal input. So rant away, just remember it cuts both ways.

ZMT44

No, the wisconsin republican party has been the ONLY party to go this far.

Wis_taxpayer
Wis_taxpayer

Gee... one example against dozens or Republican shenanigans... great argument!

Please explain to me how a Fee increase (you called it a tax, it was not) passed without public debate is the same as taking away our "FREEDOM" to information.

Tell me, how much "public debate" was there when Walker signed the "Fee" increase to our State parks? ZERO!

So go sell your snake oil somewhere else, Wisconsin voters are not buying it anymore.

196ski
196ski

Your hypocrisy knows no limits. If the Republicans do it is the end of the world, if the Democrats do it, well, never mind.

I said it is despicable when either party does it, something you can't bring yourself to admit. Blinders firmly in place.

freddiebell

196ski: Yes, the Democrats were wrong in how they handled the tax and fee issue in 2009. Quite possibly they paid a steep price for that in the 2010 elections. And, yes, both sides are guilty of misconduct and misrepresenting the best interests of the citizenry at times. No argument there.

Having cleared that up, hopefully once and for all, now let's turn back to the here-and-now that we actually have some measure of control over. Just withdrawing the open records restrictions proposal is not good enough. Legitimate questions need to be answered. Responsibility has to be taken and accountability accepted. There should be political consequences for an egregious vote to take away one of our most fundamental freedoms, and for planning and proposing it behind the scenes, out of the public eye. If you or I did that in the work world, we would be fired and our careers might well be toast. I see no reason why the people directly involved in the open records proposal and vote should suffer any less severe of a political fate.

Let's all speak with a united voice on that and appropriately demand the above until those things happen. If we don't, we leave the door wide open for them to try it again later, with a different approach but next time getting the desired results. We simply cannot allow that to happen. There must be some harsh sanctions imposed that send a clear message to all of our politicians not to ever try that again, or else.

Mary Erpenbach

Taxes and fees versus wholesale rewrites of laws that have existed for decades and helped build Wisconsin into a great state. Yes, but you're talking a one-time misdemeanor versus multiple felonies. Hope you get that.

buckthorn

Yes, apple and oranges. You can't compare the two.

Comment deleted.
outlander
outlander

I got frothed too, Gotch, and I'm pretty certain I won't be invited to a Hillary or Bernie rally any time soon. If this was a ploy of some sort, moderate Republicans like Olsen put themselves at great risk by mid-wifing this monstrosity--he was subject to a recall election in '11 after all, so the district is a little closer to purple than those of some of the pols that voted for this.

Sidebar, btw, since I recall that you, too, commented on the irony of the non-diverse CT's diversity screeds. It looks like it's finally broadened the ethnicity of its reporting team beyond my pigment: http://host.madison.com/users/profile/ogechi%20emechebe/. And judging by the titles of her articles, she's getting a chance to report on more than race, so hats off to CT.

And a good 4th to you and all others.

Comment deleted.
Wis_taxpayer
Wis_taxpayer

"Oldest trick in the political playbook"

And you don't think it shameful that Republicans in full control of our State have to play tricks?

This was no trick and you as well as all of the rest of the Wisconsin voters know it!

This isn't dead, it was simply removed from the budget... nowhere did any Republican say this was dead.

Or didn't you actually read the article?

"The statement said that the Legislature will form a Legislative Council committee to study the issue outside of the budget process."

That's far from being dead.

rnprn

Check out Gorden H intz tweet yesterday. He said walker reviewed the motions deleted what he didn't want but left the open records in. Walker is a liar!

Wis_taxpayer
Wis_taxpayer

"Walker is a liar!" And your just realizing that now? Where have you been?

ZMT44

At some point, the author of this bill has to step forward, right? That's the unanswered question, who inserted this in?? Every Republican in the state Is playing dumb. Are they gonna keep running away foewver? Someone IS going to step up and be honest, right? . Thwn again, we're talking about REPUBLICANS.

davea

I'm waiting for them to pull the the old, "I know nothing"!

Comment deleted.
livesteam2

Plus they'll get 66 other items in without a whisper.

Happy 4th of July to you.

Big Ed

I don't care that they dropped this terrible attempt at permanently silencing democracy in Wisconsin. what I do care about is who proposed this bill. that is now the order of business: Use the open records law to uncover this enemy of Democracy and then find out what they are hiding.

Comment deleted.
Comment deleted.
Al Webb

Happy Fourth of July to you, Gotch.

Summer is going too fast.

Irishlad908

Let's REMEMBER, the ONLY way this quagmire can change is through REDISTRICTING. Otherwise what we have is different faces, same ole sh#t Think about it

Marie2015

I agree. We need to get our regular districts re-drawn, and stop harassment of voters with the ID law.

Al Webb

Marie;

You have to be kidding.

Wis_BlogRider

Al Webb is the Gotch and Happy Dog.

Cornelius_Gotchberg
Cornelius_Gotchberg

@Wis_BlogRider;

"Al Webb is the Gotch and Happy Dog."

You don't say?

Two brilliant Conservatives & me?

You're too kind.

The Gotch

Marfette

They dropped it for now. Don't be surprised if this thing is passed in the middle of the night with no discussion or fanfare. That's how they do things these days.

196ski
196ski

Kind of like the Democrats did on June 29, 2009, when they passed a fee and tax hike with no public input, no discussion and wrapped it up in 24 hours.

Wis_taxpayer
Wis_taxpayer

"The other side does it too" no, sorry the other side does not do it too!

Stop trying to change the subject, or are you afraid to talk about the article itself?
What's the matter... simply too embarrassing?

Your side screwed up big time, admit it and move on.

196ski
196ski

That isn't my side. I don't have a side. I see ineptitude on both, big promises, and what little action there is is self serving.

Embarrassing? That makes no sense. To be embarrassed I would have to have ownership and I don't. It was a crap idea the day it came out and I said so. The difference between us is I call it when either side does it, you can't.

Mary Erpenbach

I don't see the comparison between raising revenue (more responsible than borrowing, imo) and wholesale attacks on laws that have been on the books for decades and have long been credited for a quality way of life in Wisconsin. They're similar in that public input was not allowed, but that is only similarity I can find.

Comment deleted.
I Love WI


View from the middle, Gotch.

We were all had, left and right both. I for one am pretty tired of it. Sounds like you're not though.

Turkeyburgers? Thanksgiving is in November. Say hi to Mitch and Happy Independence Day top you and yours.

Comment deleted.
bdnhome

yeah. It went down just like you said. If that's your second beer, I'm kind of scared about what will happen to you after your 3rd.

spridec

Scooter lies, Wisconsin defies.

Observer5

This time- it's usually Scooter lies- Wisconsin dies.

bobbyk1950

and withdrawal is not an effective method of birth control -- some seed has been planted and may bear fruit in the special session where the $ 1.3 billion borrowing for roads, the University Mission Statement, the future of our state parks and today's diversion will all be decided mostly behind closed doors. Be afraid. Be vigilant. And hope you never run into Fitzgerald in an alley somewhere that guy is terrifying looking.

Marie2015

They try to look innocuous with the smiles, the references to their innocence, and the raised eyebrows (think OJ and the glove).

tshaw

This was pre-ordained Wis citizens.
Rep. Legislators calling for cancellation of Open Records, and Walker waltzing in saying he is NOT for it!!!

Don't be SO STUPID Wisconsin voters and you BUSINESS people - you are so STUPID !!!!!!!

Vote this CLOWN out !!!!

Dr. Timothy Shaw

tshaw

This was pre-ordained Wis citizens.
Rep. Legislators calling for cancellation of Open Records, and Walker waltzing in saying he is NOT for it!!!

Don't be SO STUPID Wisconsin voters and you BUSINESS people - you are so STUPID !!!!!!!

Vote this CLOWN out !!!!

Enjoy NOT HAVING ANY CUSTOMERS !!
YOU BUSINESS PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND BASIC ECONOMICS.
WISE UP OR YOUR KIDS WILL BE BEGGING FOR HEALTHCARE AT SOME UNCARING EMERGENCY ROOM, OR WILL NEVER HAVE A JOB THAT WILL PAY BASIC BILLS OR WILL BE OVER THEIR HEADS IN DEBT. YOU BUSINESS PEOPLE ARE SOOOOOO STUPID !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

FIGURE IT OUT YOURSELVES.

THE US IS THE ONLY ORGANIZED ADVANCED COUNTRY THAT DOES NOT HAVE NATIONAL HEALTH CARE AS A RIGHT.
KEEP PAYING THE BILLS TO HEALTHCARE DOCTORS RUNNING INSURANCE COMPANIES WHO MAKE $127 MILLION A YEAR, WHILE YOUR KIDS CAN'T AFFORD COLLEGE OR TECH SCHOOL, TRAINING AND ARE BEGGING AT THE EMERGENCY ROOM !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

#MEDICARE4ALL #ALLonMedicare #SINGLEPAYER.

UNFORTUNATELY YOU WON'T FIGURE IT OUT! AS YOU ARE SO STUPID TO VOTE FOR SCOTT WALKER !!!!!!!!!!!!!

SORRY THIS INSULTS YOU, BUT YOU ARE, AND YOUR KIDS AND GRANDKIDS UNFORTUNATELY WILL SUFFFER !!!!!!!!!

Dr. Timothy Shaw

ZMT44

However this shakes out, it's even more clear that wisconsin republicans have zero integrity, and trying to avoid all accountability.

freddiebell

It is up to all of us to demand that accountability and see to it that there are sanctions for all those involved. Otherwise they probably will try it again in the future, and perhaps they will succeed the next time around. What do we do then?

Our opportunity is right here and now. The Republican 12, and perhaps others, own this fiasco lock, stock, and barrel. They should be made to pay for it, even (and especially) by those within their own party. It is the only way to repair that broken bond of trust with the public.

geo_

Once again the morons got caught with their pants down. A much larger public outcry was apparent concerning the cuts to the UW system yet they didn't budge much there.

Marie2015

Yes, why didn't the protests of UW cuts stop that from happening? Could it be the article in the Chicago Tribune and the segment of Washington Week, saying the GOP nationwide are "nervous" about Walker's lack of integrity here? If so, we should focus on getting the stories out on all the questionable judgements during all JFC conservative votes.

chichilo

"The statement said that the Legislature will form a Legislative Council committee to study the issue outside of the budget process."

These people could have given the University--the jewel that past generations of Wisconsinsites left us to care for--the same consideration before they started to mess with some of its fundamental tenets.


wihiker

Just like the deletion of the Wisconsin Idea, Walker and his cadre of malcontents got caught. With sufficient pressure they caved to the will of the people.

How many other non budgetary items are in this budget that are not getting public scrutiny?

Let's all remember these times and replace these incompetents with real legislators next election cycle. Not a one who is on the list of supporters needs to be reelected.

davea

I think there are 66 left!

Jaz
Jaz

Aren't you all tired of being played for fools? This thing was planned and orchestrated from the beginning. Scott Walker, savior of transparent government! I can't stand to read the news anymore.

Marfette

So right!

Marie2015

So that's why he stays far away from the budget process. The dirty dozen do his dastardly deeds, and he appears innocent when he swoops in to correct them. Its getting old because thats why his county minions are sitting in jail. Its sick.

Maui Jim

I have never been prouder to be an Independent who holds BOTH the Republican and Democratic Parties in contempt.

Additionally, I am totally bewildered that more people aren't utterly disgusted with the presidential candidates from both parties.....are these really the best this country has to offer? If they are, then we ALL should be embarrassed for our country.

Al Webb

Maui Jim;

You could not have said it better; what a disgusting set of candidates on both sides of the ledger (Republican and Democratic). They are either corrupt or incompetent or both.

Thanks.

witness2012

Nicely played, fellow citizens. Nicely played.

Gianni
Gianni

12 voted for this. Hold each of them accountable.

bill jorgensen

1 Senator Alberta Darling, Co-Chair
2 Senator Luther Olsen
3 Senator Sheila Harsdorf
4 Senator Leah Vukmir
5 Senator Tom Tiffany
6 Senator Howard Marklein
7 Representative John Nygren, Co-Chair
8 Representative Dale Kooyenga
9 Representative Amy Loudenbeck
10 Representative Dean Knudson
11 Representative Michael Schraa
12 Representative Mary Czaja

Al Webb

Bill;

How about cleaning up the Dems? Hillary, the Queen of slippery deals and cover-ups, will be the Lefties candidate against Jeb Bush. The biggest issue with Hillary will be creditability or the lack there of. She is the politician that needs to be re-called. In fact it was her husband, Bill, that was impeached. You need to clean up your own back yard as do most of the rest of us.

Take care and enjoy politics.

geo_

Off Topic

Dstassen

Off Topic!

Crow Barr
Crow Barr

Al, you are deflecting just like your daughter, Lynne4300, who happens to be Mrs. Mitch Henck who happens to be Gotch and Dog something.

Neesha

Bill, I still intend to send the petition. If you haven't already, please sign.
Let's be sure this proposal is truly dead. Please sign. http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/to-the-wisconsin-legislature?source=c.em.cp&r_by=1957138 Thanks!

freddiebell

bill: They own this fiasco, unless they have the stones to turn on whoever else might have been involved and/or who gave them marching orders. Unless and until then, they carry a permanent stain from this and should be remembered accordingly on election day, every time their name is on a ballot in a democracy by, of, and for the people (i.e. not by, of, and for the representatives, who work for at, at our pleasure).

Neesha

Gianni, Let's be sure this proposal is truly dead. The statement said that the Legislature will form a Legislative Council committee to study the issue outside of the budget process.
Please sign the petition: http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/to-the-wisconsin-legislature?source=c.em.cp&r_by=1957138 Thanks!

Neesha

Gianni, Let's be sure this proposal is truly dead. The statement said that the Legislature will form a Legislative Council committee to study the issue outside of the budget process.
Please sign the petition: http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/to-the-wisconsin-legislature?source=c.em.cp&r_by=1957138 Thanks!

Read more: http://host.madison.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/scott-walker-legislative-leaders-drop-open-records-changes/article_0b1fb6da-39d2-5229-b54e-491aa98901db.html#ixzz3f19TbQL0

OscarD
OscarD

I guess they thought we would all be waving our sparklers and eating hot dogs and not notice this "anonymous" piece of legislation, voted for by ALL of the Repubs on the committee.

Neesha

"Is it really over?? The statement said that the Legislature will form a Legislative Council committee to study the issue outside of the budget process."

No study! No changes to the Law! Let's get this petition to the legislature: Please sign. http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/to-the-wisconsin-legislature?source=c.em.cp&r_by=1957138

Thanks!

oldtimer82

Wisconsin became a state in 1848
For 162 years Wisconsin was a great state and then along came Scott Walker. Since then he has destroyed most of the things that were great about Wisconsin. His only loyalty is to people like the Koch brothers and to hell with the working people and citizens of Wisconsin. He can not govern 1 state let alone 50.

Neesha

Oldtimer82 Let's be sure this proposal is truly dead. Please sign. http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/to-the-wisconsin-legislature?source=c.em.cp&r_by=1957138 Thanks!

Hogzilla
Hogzilla

Neesha~ Chill out. Quit posting about the petition. We got it.

bookman21
bookman21

We can't have anyone reminding us of transparency in government. The governor has saved us from this affront on good government.

BananaSplitz
BananaSplitz

Seriously, I am with Hogzilla. Knock it off with the spambot posts, Contacting them directly is the way to go.

http://legis.wisconsin.gov/

Put in your address, and this will bring up your legislators and their contact information. Tell them you want this budget stopped until we can turn on the lights and watch the cockroaches scatter.

tshaw

Scott Walker couldn't run a high school booster club if he were its' President - he is that inept !! And people keep voting for him because they like keeping their tax money, or something that I don't see inspires them ??? Very strange !!!!

Timothy Shaw, M.D.

hey hey

whatever. these people need to be voted out. wake up wisconsin

Neesha

hey hey Let's be sure this proposal is truly dead. Please sign. http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/to-the-wisconsin-legislature?source=c.em.cp&r_by=1957138 Thanks!

bill jorgensen

Recall them. Don't wait for the next election cycle. That will only give these corrupt republican legislators more time to conspire against the hardworking people of this state.

Al Webb

Bill;

You tried the re-call thing before and it did not work; you need a new strategy.

What you might do is focus on the Queen of slippery deals and cover ups, The Hillary, Dems only real candidate for the 2016 Presidential Campaign. How can any person play the Blemish Game against Walker and other State Politicians, when the Democrats have Hillary as their esteemed leader; an act of total denial on the part of the Lefties.

Time answers a lot of questions.

Dstassen

Off Topic

I Love WI

@ Al,

From above, "How about cleaning up the Dems? Hillary, the Queen of slippery deals and cover-ups, will be the Lefties candidate against Jeb Bush. The biggest issue with Hillary will be creditability or the lack there of. She is the politician that needs to be re-called. In fact it was her husband, Bill, that was impeached. You need to clean up your own back yard as do most of the rest of us."

Cleaning up both sides would be good. I never could figure out how some people criticize Obama and Hillary, but are ok with Walker and his ilk.

BTW, the impeachment of Bill Clinton worked as well as the recall of Walker.

bill jorgensen

Al, these legislators need to go. Are you content with them passing laws to take away freedoms because that fits into your "strategy"? If so, you are just as bad as they are. How can they be trusted? What else have they done? What else will they do?
A Recall does not mean a Democrat will take their place. If the corrupt recalled Republican went unopposed, then yes they would probably be beaten and replaced by a Democrat. More than likely though there would be a primary and the corrupt recalled Republican would get ousted by another Republican.
Radical rightwing Republicans have had a lock on Wisconsin for the last 5 years. What do we have to show for it? We are behind the nation and our neighbors in economic improvement and jobs because of their failed leadership. We also have a lot of scandal to show for it. John Doe investigations in to Walker's corruption, missing tax payer millions at Walker's WEDC, and now this mess.
These Republican lemmings have followed Walker's marching orders to a T. Personally, I would not mind at all if these right wing radicals got the boot and were replaced by some middle of the road Republicans. Maybe then we could get this State out of the ditch Walker and his corrupt cronies and back onto the road.

Al Webb

Another great Article by Dennis Punzel; keep up the good work.

Take care;

madcitymaven

The GOP were really dumb a$$e$ to make this proposal in the first place.

Neesha

madcitymaven, Let's be sure this proposal is truly dead. Please sign. http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/to-the-wisconsin-legislature?source=c.em.cp&r_by=1957138 Thanks!

bookman21
bookman21

@madcity
"The GOP were really dumb a$$e$ to make this proposal in the first place."
They thought that the general public was even dumber than they are. This move has to be regarded as an insult to our intelligence.

davea

NO this was their plan. It it is supposed to make Walker look like hero!

mgallo

The obvious and fair question now is, "who wrote the provision?" Somebody needs to take credit/blame. Did they think that, as the press corps shrinks, nobody's watching?
matt gallo

marlori

but they all voted for it!

Neesha

MGALLO, Let's be sure this proposal is truly dead. Please sign. http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/to-the-wisconsin-legislature?source=c.em.cp&r_by=1957138 Thanks!

greenman

So now let's see the records of who came up with this dumb idea. And as usual, what was intended is completely opposite of their explanation. We're just all too stupid to see the nuance. Corrupt crooks.

Neesha

greenman, Let's be sure this proposal is truly dead. Please sign. http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/to-the-wisconsin-legislature?source=c.em.cp&r_by=1957138 Thanks!

Neesha

ZMT44, Let's be sure this proposal is truly dead. Please sign. http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/to-the-wisconsin-legislature?source=c.em.cp&r_by=1957138 Thanks!

ZMT44

To this day, republicans are refusing to say who introduced this bill. COWARDS!! Who are you trying to protect, Walker himself?? Signs point to yes.

bookman21
bookman21

This stood to be a win-win for governor pander. If they had somehow managed to slip this one by the electorate he would have thwarted the inevitable national scrutiny that will come with his no longer secret presidential folly.
He couldn't sneak this one by us, look for him to tout his support for government transparency.

ZMT44

Am not convinced this is win for walker at all. We've yet to find out who authored and introduced this bill. There's plenty of signs pointing to Walker's knowledge of this. If that's the case, he will be skewered.

livesteam2

So now instead of 67 measures unveiled Thursday night and put into the budget for passage without any scrutiny, we only have 66 to say, "what are you doing?"

Neesha

livestream2, Let's be sure this proposal is truly dead. Please sign. http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/to-the-wisconsin-legislature?source=c.em.cp&r_by=1957138 Thanks!

NotBeingPaid

Now it's time to take a close look at what else is in that part of the budget. This definitely wasn't the only topic of which the public should unite in bipartisan opposition.

And I want to know which legislator inserted this. If they believed in it enough to have it included, they should be man (or woman) enough to stand behind it. Or they can slink away from it like a coward...

LiLa
LiLa

I see them slinking....

Hogzilla
Hogzilla

LiLa ~ I see them slinking too, and NotBeingPaid raises a salient point. Everyone should be looking at this budget and they should be asking questions. The more we all put the screws to these people, the more likely we are to understand and affect it's outcomes. Any and all of these non-money related things that are being shoved into the budget should be heavily scrutinized along with the spending plan.

Neesha

Let's be sure this proposal is truly dead. Please sign. http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/to-the-wisconsin-legislature?source=c.em.cp&r_by=1957138 Thanks!

koala

"Steadfastly committee", eh? In a pig's eye.

Wis_BlogRider

"The statement said that the Legislature will form a Legislative Council committee to study the issue outside of the budget process."

Walker says this means we have to try another approach because we got stopped with this attempt. Once people settle down we will stick it to them from another angle.

marlori

yup.

GeorgeWBush
GeorgeWBush

The best government that dirty money can buy.

Beingbucky
Beingbucky

Because they felt so bad about Erpenbach getting sued and the recall signatories getting published online.

Actually, probably not. It is really hard to translate that statement into anything that resembles the truth, or even something believable.

Hogzilla
Hogzilla

Doesn't matter, we got what we wanted.

This could be a turning point for Wisconsin. People may be supportive of one side or the other, but when something like this crops up and We the People stand up and tell them to cram it, it shows that we still have at least some semblance of a democracy.

To quote a popular phrase, " This is what Democracy looks like." I couldn't be happier with the outcome of this and I hope it woke people up enough to see why having single party control is rarely a good thing.

madisonion

Well said!

freddiebell

Spot on, Hogzilla.

The cynic in me feels that this shared outrage, and the positive results that are coming out of it, are the exception to the rule. Hopefully I am wrong about that, and our citizenry now shall be more willing to speak up in matters of shared interest and get involved in the process.

At any rate it is important to remember that this process is not done. It is still a pending matter until we find out who is responsible for the measure, why they did it, and what consequences will accrue to those involved, as a disincentive to ever try it again. We still need to be diligent in this matter and demand appropriate accountability.

Crow Barr
Crow Barr

Tools! This had to be Walker's idea all along, but, nobodies talking!

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outlander
outlander

I just find it ironic that someone whose name is a homonym for a tool is calling other people tools. Regardless, I agree with what I assume the both of you agree on--this proposal should never have come up. It needs to be pulled outright.

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Crow Barr
Crow Barr

Dude back at ya, I have no problem being called whatever, you still have 30 years to gain some sense and it won't happen in Chicago at a Dead's concert--those Beatle's, now they were something!

Peace and Love, but until someone says they authored this garbage, I will assume Walker put the wording in front of them--and them here is Republicans only!

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Hogzilla
Hogzilla

First off, the Beatles aren't even American They may have been a decent outfit, for the times, but there is really no debate when it comes to overall musical talent. The Grateful Dead was the most polished group of musicians ever to have walked the face of the Earth. There just isn't a tighter band. Led Zeppelin had a few moments of greatness, but they did not deliver anywhere near the volume and scope that the Dead did. There have been better individual players in other bands, but nobody even came close to having as many world class players in one band, the way the Dead did.

Other than that, you're still a loudmouth with limited cognitive abilities.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7r9WX5p8EQA

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Hogzilla
Hogzilla

Enjoy the sunshine...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7r9WX5p8EQA

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Crow Barr
Crow Barr

Hog below, I'm not a loudmouth, just a happy keyboard! For what it's worth, I put in 3 yrs, 4 mo's and 20 days ('65-'69) so we all can shoot our mouths off.

Gotch is choking on his turkey, (maybe for medical reasons) I had a nice chunk of pork smoked in a rub from Weavers up there in Fall Creek!

3rdParty

Thanks for not being the pathetic sacks of hopelessness that you try to be ALL the time. I can't believe this was ever even a consideration. YOU are what's wrong with Wisconsin.

BRS

I don't think this was ever a real consideration . It was a scheme to have Walker come and save the day for transparent government and be the hero . What a weasel . Walker's dropping in the poles everyday , Donald Trump (LOL) is taking Walker's crazy teaparty voters away from him . Walker's run for President will be over before it even starts , officially that is .

marlori

I certainly agree on Walker's plan to "save the day" all along. And one also wonders what else is hidden that we all missed while being outrages on this issue.

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