Sen. Glenn Grothman (R-West Bend) has introduced a bill to end the requirement that those who give more than $100 a year to state political campaigns disclose their principal place of employment.
Author Archives: Bill Lueders
Meet Michael Richards, typical lobbyist
Michael Richards sometimes finds himself telling people, “I’m not your typical lobbyist.” But in fact, that’s exactly what he is.
Special session bills serve special interests
Democrats reacted sharply to Republican Gov. Scott Walker’s decision to call the Legislature into special session to take up a slate of measures meant to put Wisconsin “back to work.” The Assembly’s minority leader pegged most bills as “payoffs to special interests” that do nothing to create jobs.
UW bias busters not open about funding
The other day I was asked if I knew where the Center for Equal Opportunity, which opposes affirmative action and bilingual education, gets its funding. It’s a good question.
School choice advocates hope to build on gains
Beginning this fall, taxpayer money will help children move from public to private schools in Racine. But according to a nonpartisan group, expanding vouchers to Racine will add nearly $3 million to the state’s costs over the next two school years. Part three of three in a series.
Legislative aides help out with campaign cash
State legislative aides gave over $47,000 to legislative campaigns in the 2009-2010 election cycle. Why are aides significant donors to legislative campaigns? One answer is obvious: Their jobs depend on their bosses being reelected.
School choice big winner in state
Dozens of Wisconsin political players have received millions of dollars from individuals and interest groups committed to promoting alternatives to public schools. Part two of three in a series.
The selling of school choice
A vast and interconnected array of school choice proponents — including the Walton family, heirs to the Walmart fortune — is changing the face of education in Wisconsin. Part one of three in a series.
Are choice schools better?
School choice proponents argue that private vouchers give students in troubled school districts the opportunity for a better education. But the numbers don’t always back them up.
Road builders brew up public support
The Wisconsin Transportation Builders Association, a powerful state lobby group, is taking its case for more and better roads directly to the people — by running ads during Badgers’ and Brewers’ games.
National Club for Growth gunning for Thompson
The term “outside special interests” gets bandied about a lot, but the national Club for Growth is the real deal. Meanwhile, Wisconsin Club for Growth has distanced itself from the national group’s efforts to kneecap Tommy Thompson.
Mining bill not a lobbying success story
Over the past six months, Gogebic Taconite LLC spent $114,883 lobbying state officials in support of its proposal to open an iron ore mine in northern Wisconsin. State Sen. Bob Jauch, D-Poplar, who represents the district where the mine would be located, says this was “a complete waste of money.”