News

Assembly committee restricts fundraising

Soliciting donations must wait until state budget is completed

Wisconsin Assembly representatives will not be allowed to fundraise during budget deliberations as the result of a new rule passed Wednesday by the Committee for Assembly Organization.

The rule prohibits Assembly members from accepting or soliciting campaign donations from the start of budget deliberations later this month until the budget is finalized this summer.

This regulation was made in an effort to raise public confidence in budget negotiations as a result of accusations that the 2007 budget was four months late because legislators were spending time raising money from special interest groups.

Though the rule was passed unanimously, not all committee members were fully in favor. Rep. Mark Gottlieb, R-Port Washington, raised several questions during the meeting on the legitimacy of the bill, including whether the committee has the authority to make rules for the entire Assembly without their vote.

“It’s the right of the members to say what happens in their house,” Gottlieb said. “It shows disrespect for the members.”

Assembly Minority Leader Jeff Fitzgerald, R-Horicon, voiced another concern, saying the measure was ineffective because it did not apply to the Senate or governor.

Many Aseembly Democrats highly backed the rule, with Rep. Thomas Nelson, D-Kaukauna, calling it the most comprehensive budget policy by the Assembly in almost 10 years.

Assembly Speaker Mike Sheridan, D-Janesville, who introduced the rule, agreed with Nelson.

“We have to clean up our own backyard first,” Sheridan said, also noting that passing the policy into law would take time the Assembly doesn’t have before budget deliberations start.

The committee agreed to support a bill sponsored by Gottlieb to extend the rule to Senate members and the governor.

Assembly members who disobey the rule will be subject to penalties including public censure, removal from leadership or committee positions and loss of staff or office space.