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Reform in elections, ethics nears for state

In a bipartisan effort to bring ethics reform to Wisconsin, assembly committee members approved a measure Thursday to merge the state's Ethics and Elections boards.

The measure, known as Senate Bill 1, would create a single Government Accountability Board with the power to investigate and prosecute possible campaign-finance and election fraud.

"This bill would actually give some teeth to our state watchdog agencies," Common Cause in Wisconsin Executive Director Jay Heck said. "It would enable them to investigate and prosecute wrongdoing at both the state and local levels."

Authored by Sen. Michael Ellis, R-Neenah, SB 1 aims to combat political corruption and public distrust in the wake of 2002's legislative caucus scandal.

The scandal involved a number of Wisconsin legislators who were convicted on charges of corrupt campaign-finance practices. Rep. Scott Jensen, R-Waukesha, is currently facing trial, and is the last of five state lawmakers to be indicted.

"I think this combined and strengthened entity would deter wrongdoing from occurring in the first place," Heck said, adding legislative scandal largely occurs because state officials currently "don't fear the consequences."

According to Ellis, Thursday's recommendation by the Assembly Committee on Campaigns and Elections shows a strong bipartisan commitment to reforming state ethics.

"Some people may have been skeptical that legislators would work together to craft a bill would enhance the ability [to] regulate and enforce laws affecting themselves," Ellis said in a release. "The work product that came out of the Assembly committee … should lay those fears to rest."

In a 5 to 1 vote, SB 1 was approved with a substitute amendment many hope will significantly enhance the measure.

Whereas the former version called for a four-member accountability board recommended by law school deans of the University of Wisconsin and Marquette University, the amended bill changes the board's size and recommendation process.

According to the new measure, a seven-member board would be recommended by four sitting state appellate judges, who are randomly selected by the Wisconsin Supreme Court chief justice. The board's seven members would include four licensed attorneys, one retired judge and two citizens.

Additionally, the amendment called for a requirement that the board would not be allowed to conduct open-ended and unchecked investigations.

"Today's action by the committee gives strong momentum to Senate Bill 1," Ellis said.

Heck agreed he expects the full Assembly to pass the bill as early as next Tuesday, but raised concerns about a potential attempt to weaken the measure. If passed by the Assembly, SB 1 must return to the Senate for another vote approving the amendment.

Rep. Robin Vos, R-Racine, was the only committee member to vote against SB 1 Thursday.