Opinion

Good riddance to the corrupt Chvala

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Related stories:

• Still waiting (March 13, 2002)
• Politics and placation (January 31, 2002)
• Charges in caucus scandal expected (October 17, 2002)
• Tantrums on Wisconsin's political playground (September 4, 2002)
• Chvala holding regents hostage (October 17, 2001)

Also by Badger Herald Editorial Board:

• The Invisible Man Award: Wyndham Manning (May 7, 2009)
• The People's Choice Award: Jacqueline Hitchon et. al (May 7, 2009)
• The Lifetime Achievement Award: ASM (May 7, 2009)
• Honest representation (May 5, 2009)
• Junger for ASM Chair (May 5, 2009)

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State Senator Chuck Chvala’s indictment on 20 criminal counts related to his actions while Senate majority leader are far from a startling surprise.

From the day the “caucus scandal” broke over a year ago, Chvala’s fingerprints have been noticeable all over the accusations shooting back and forth under the Capitol dome in what has become the most pervasive example of political corruption in Wisconsin for three generations.

Today’s charges are not the first and may not be the last in what will likely prove to be a legal housecleaning of the deep-seated corruption plaguing Wisconsin’s statehouse. This is the necessary, if ugly, first step in restoring the faith Wisconsinites had shared in their state government since the days of Robert LaFollette’s Progressives.

Chvala’s immediate resignation of his post as the state Senate’s majority leader suggests the beginning of a second step in the process as well — the sorely needed infusion of fresh blood into Wisconsin’s political scene. Rank-and-file Senate Democrats immediately began the process of distancing themselves from Chvala’s shadow when news of the charges broke.

Such action is absolutely necessary, no matter how politically expedient it may seem on the surface. The iron grip by which Chvala held legislative power was troubling far beyond his personal actions. We hope his dismissal opens the door for Senate leadership more conducive to bipartisan cooperation. Chvala, with his hand writing the Senate’s calendar, has kept a slew of University of Wisconsin regents from being confirmed. While this particular power does not harm their functionality, it emblematizes partisan roadblocks to progress.

With budget issues that will have a direct effect on the immediate situation of UW students and economic issues that will directly affect our future, students cannot afford anything less than a reformed state government.

This fall’s midterm elections, also the most momentous in generations, give Wisconsin citizens a powerful opportunity to begin enacting this change. We urge students to cast their ballots in favor of candidates they feel most capable of legislative accomplishment and fiscal responsibility, not the partisan wrangling and power brokerage characteristic of such renowned institutions as the student government we love to hate.

With more accusations sure to come — rumors of Assembly Speaker Scott Jensen and Assembly Majority Leader Steven Foti facing charges today are arising — Wisconsin has much to do before its political slate is clean. It’s time for the citizenry of this state to concentrate on electing representatives who have proven they are clear of corruption.