The state Senate plans to take up legislation in the coming months that would make major changes to the state’s campaign finance laws.
State Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, R-Juneau, and state Sen. Mary Lazich, R-New Berlin, introduced two bills Monday that would narrow the circumstances under which individuals and organizations must report political contributions and disbursements.
The bills would remove financial reporting requirements for political advertisements that do not explicitly advocate for the election or defeat of individual candidates or include the words “vote for,” “elect,” “support” or five other similar terms. Communications over the Internet, as well as those lacking the specified terms or that refer to an individual candidate’s name, would not be subject to financial disclosure requirements.
The bills would also remove reporting requirements for administrative costs incurred by organizations not explicitly dedicated to political advocacy. They would also expand the period of time in which lobbyists may donate to political candidates.
Common Cause in Wisconsin, a nonprofit political organization that aims to promote transparency in government, according to its website, called the legislation “a sudden, surprise attack on the ability of Wisconsin citizens to know who is trying to influence their vote at election time,” according to a statement.
“The result would be more undisclosed campaign communications … and much more dark money in Wisconsin,” Jay Heck, Executive Director of Common Cause in Wisconsin, said on behalf of the organization in a statement.
The Senate Committee on Elections and Urban Affairs has scheduled a hearing on the bills Wednesday. Neither Lazich nor Fitzgerald could be reached for comment.
