Thursday, November 03, 2005
More on Madison's culture of corruption
Earlier, I've noted the the culture of corruption in Madison as revealed by some of the folks who already hold seats of power there, but, of course, it doesn't end there. The man who would be king in Wisconsin -- Congressman Mark Green -- appears to move quite easily in this culture, as evidenced by the dust-up over his campaign donations. (Evidenced, too, by the ties between his office and the infamous Tom DeLay and Jack Abramoff, which have earned state and national attention.)
The Democracy Campaign's review of campaign records showing missing donor information on the reports Green's campaign for governor filed with the state has prompted Green to agree to provide the missing details and exposed lax enforcement of Wisconsin's disclosure laws by the state Elections Board.
It has been learned that the Elections Board told Green in January that he only needed to disclose the identity of donors who supplied him with $1.3 million he transferred from his federal campaign fund to a state account he is using to run for governor. State law in Wisconsin also requires disclosure of the occupation and employer of any donor who gives more than $100.
After the Democracy Campaign called attention to Green's failure to disclose this required employment information revealing the financial interests of nearly 700 donors who gave him than $387,000 the Elections Board reversed its position and asked Green to fully comply with the state's disclosure requirements.
This is the latest in a string of examples of how the Elections Board has failed to rigorously enforce Wisconsin's campaign laws and is the most recent illustration of why the board needs to be reformed.
The Democracy Campaign's review of campaign records showing missing donor information on the reports Green's campaign for governor filed with the state has prompted Green to agree to provide the missing details and exposed lax enforcement of Wisconsin's disclosure laws by the state Elections Board.
It has been learned that the Elections Board told Green in January that he only needed to disclose the identity of donors who supplied him with $1.3 million he transferred from his federal campaign fund to a state account he is using to run for governor. State law in Wisconsin also requires disclosure of the occupation and employer of any donor who gives more than $100.
After the Democracy Campaign called attention to Green's failure to disclose this required employment information revealing the financial interests of nearly 700 donors who gave him than $387,000 the Elections Board reversed its position and asked Green to fully comply with the state's disclosure requirements.
This is the latest in a string of examples of how the Elections Board has failed to rigorously enforce Wisconsin's campaign laws and is the most recent illustration of why the board needs to be reformed.
