Senator Larson, District 7 - LARSON REPORT

Public Policy Review: Legislator
Area: Transparency and Accountability
Source: Weekly Newsletter
July 8, 2011

Senator Chris Larson, 7th District

Walker's Wisconsin on Dangerous Road to Less Transparency, Accountability
Wisconsinites have sought to preserve accountability and transparency in our government since the days of fighting Bob La Follette. This is illustrated by our laws requiring open meetings and records, thoughtful checks and balances in our government structures, and significant disclosure for political campaign contributions.

Bob La Follette - Fighting Bob

Since January, Governor Walker and his rubberstamp Legislature have been reversing and blocking common sense protections that would continue our tradition of government accountability and transparency. The following are just some of the bills authored and passed by Republican legislators this session, reversing Wisconsin's progress in ensuring open government:

-- Special Session Senate Bill 1--Prevents victims and their families from obtaining justice against negligent corporations and manufacturers. Republicans rejected Senate Amendment 2, a Democratic amendment to ensure reports relating to health care violations are not kept secret.

-- Special Session Senate Bill 3--Creates tax incentives for corporations that relocate to Wisconsin. Republicans rejected Assembly Amendment 2, which would have required tracking the number of jobs created by these incentives to ensure tax dollars are being spent wisely.

-- Special Session Senate Bill 4--Gives $25 million more to the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation for corporate tax credits. Amendments were rejected by Republicans, which would have required the Audit Bureau to conduct an annual audit of the program and recoup credits if a business submits false information or fails to fulfill promises.

-- Special Session Senate Bill 6--Replaces the Department of Commerce with the public-private Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation. To protect against the potential for corruption, an amendment was introduced to require all WEDC employees to be subject to the open records law. It was rejected by Republican legislators.

-- Special Session Senate Bill 8--Requires approval by the Governor on all administrative rules. This is an unprecedented power grab that decreases the power of the Legislature and makes Wisconsin's executive branch one of the most powerful in the country. I introduced Senate Amendment 8 that would have prohibited a Wisconsin governor from accepting campaign donations from those that would benefit financially from rule changes. Republicans ultimately rejected this amendment that would have eliminated the potential for conflicts of interest and maintained integrity in the rule process.

Following these bills, Governor Walker and Republican legislators continued to send Wisconsin in the wrong direction by supporting the Republican budget, which is brimming with special interest giveaways, sneaking nearly 80 non-fiscal policy items into what was promised to be a purely fiscal document. The following provisions are some of the most egregious:

-- Approved a $162 million corporate slush fund for the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, but provided no details on how the agency would use these funds.

-- Eliminated the clean election initiatives in Wisconsin, taking power from voters and giving more control of our elections to wealthy, out-of-state corporations.

-- Seized powers from the constitutional offices of the Secretary of State and State Treasurer.

-- Granted unprecedented dictatorial authority to Secretary Smith at the Department of Health Services who will be able to make unilateral, unspecified changes to Wisconsin's medical Assistance programs, which could include dramatic service cuts to our most vulnerable.

-- Ripped authority from the Department of Public Instruction regarding its educational authority and stunted DPI’s power to develop important education improvement initiatives.

-- Allows the Walker Administration to sell state assets without bidding for the best deal for taxpayers.

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My Democratic colleagues and I introduced amendments to remove such backwards provisions from the budget in order to ensure Wisconsin maintains its tradition of clean, open and transparent government. Unfortunately, Republicans voted down these amendments with little consideration for Wisconsin’s traditions.

This budget seeks to increase government access for big corporations while setting up road blocks for the average Wisconsinite. We need more accountability, not less. I pledge to work towards that goal and keep Wisconsin moving forward.

Taken from Senator Larson's July 8, 2011 Weekly Newsletter, LARSON REPORT.
Office Phone: (608) 266-7505
Toll-free Phone: (800) 361-5487

Email: Sen.Larson@legis.wi.gov

Mailing Address: State Capitol
P.O. Box 7882
Madison, WI 53707

Web Site: SenatorChrisLarson.com