About $8 million in independent expenditures by outside groups were reported through Sept. 13, putting the Wisconsin Senate race in third place among federal elections this fall, behind only the presidential race and a Senate battle in Texas.
Category: Government
Posted inGovernment, Money & Politics
Room to the right
When Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney tapped U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan to be his running mate, the national spotlight aimed at Ryan’s conservative credentials. In this story, we check on Ryan’s report cards from national interest groups and compare his campaign contributions to his voting record.
Posted inMoney & Politics
Realtors gave $1 million to state Club for Growth
Some WRA members bristled last year when it was revealed that the Alliance had given money to advocacy groups including Wisconsin Club for Growth. The latest report represents a dramatic increase in this support.
Posted inMoney & Politics
Outside spending, ideological divide make Wisconsin’s GOP Senate primary a tossup
Thanks to $3.4 million in spending by outside groups and an ongoing ideological divide within the Republican Party, former Gov. Tommy Thompson — once the favorite — may not even make it through Tuesday’s primary.
Posted inGovernment, Money & Politics
VP pick Ryan supported by insurers, Wall Street, health care
Rep. Paul Ryan, Mitt Romney’s pick for vice president, may be the face of the Tea Party favorite caucus in Congress. But big business interests have also contributed mightily to the budget chairman’s campaign, according to analyses from the nonpartisan political money trackers at MapLight.
Posted inGovernment, News about Wisconsin Watch
Wisconsin better off than many, in new report on ethics enforcers
Many states’ ethics agencies aren’t provided with the resources and independence needed to carry out their responsibilities, according to a new report that casts Wisconsin’s efforts in a favorable light.
Posted inEconomy, Environment, Frac Sand Rush, Government, Health & Welfare
Wisconsin frac sand sites double
Frac sand fever has hit much of west-central Wisconsin, catching residents and local governments by surprise when demand for sand suddenly soared and permit applications began to pour in. The number of Wisconsin frac sand mining operations has more than doubled in the past year.
Posted inEnvironment, Government, Money & Politics
Sidebar: Agenda 21 movement leader came here to speak
One national guru of the Agenda 21 movement is Tom DeWeese, president of the American Policy Center. The self-described “businessman, grassroots activist, writer and publisher” has been fighting against Agenda 21 for two decades.
Posted inEnvironment, Government, Money & Politics
Green schemes make activists see red
Opponents believe Agenda 21 is driving every last smidgen of Earth-friendly policy: Renewable energy. Land-use planning. Resource conservation. Even recycling. Every green tag is a red flag.
Posted inEnvironment, Government, Money & Politics
Sidebar: Lawmakers want to turn back clock on Smart Growth
Assembly Bill 303, introduced last fall by Republicans, would have allowed communities to opt out of Smart Growth, the state’s law setting the rules for developing local land-use plans, and make it easier for these plans to be repealed.
Posted inEconomy, Government, Health & Welfare
Adding insult to injury
Job-seeking veterans work to overcome the disadvantages posed by the stigma of disability — whether or not they are disabled.
Posted inEconomy, Government, Health & Welfare
Resources for veterans
A number of organizations, including Wisconsin Employment Resource Connection, Dryhootch and Disabled American Veterans, provide job assistance and support for Wisconsin’s veterans.