According to Wisconsin Right to Life, the state's largest anti-abortion advocacy group, two bills passed by a state Senate committee Tuesday were "crafted by politicians to benefit politicians."

One bill proposes increasing public campaign finance for state Supreme Court candidates, and the other would impose regulations on issue advertising prior to elections for state office. The latter bill is slated to be addressed by the Senate body today in session.

WRTL and other lobbying powerhouses like Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce have adamantly opposed attempts to limit the ability of outside interest groups to communicate with voters.

Passed by the Senate Committee on Campaign Finance Reform, Rural Issues and Information Technology, the issue advocacy bill would require groups to register and report spending, including financial contributors.

"I'll tell you right now, over my dead body will they get the names of our members of Wisconsin Right to Life," said Sue Armacost, the group's legislative director.

She called the two bills "outrageous" and said the issue advocacy bill is an attempt by legislators to control communication surrounding the election.

"They would end up being one of the few voices being heard," Armacost added. "If it's too difficult for them, then they should find another job … grow up and stop whining."

Other interest groups like the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign and Common Cause in Wisconsin have pushed for campaign finance reform as a way of leveling the playing field between outside interest groups and legislators, who must obey campaign disclosure regulations.

Jay Heck, executive director of CCW, said the increased use of issue ads during recent elections has touched Republican and Democratic candidates, improving the likelihood for reform.

"There's more support politically than there ever has been," Heck said. "It's ultimately a battle of political survival."

Republican candidates have traditionally benefited from issue ads produced by WRTL and WMC, but recently, more liberal-leaning groups are beginning to enter the arena, Heck said.

In particular, big-budget groups like tribal gaming organizations Wisconsin Educators Association Council and the Greater Wisconsin Committee show potential for matching issue ads. Heck said the recent state Supreme Court election was an awakening experience for some legislators.

"Money in the Supreme Court races has not been a problem until this election in March and April," he said. "Most people found this past race revolting and disgusting."

Although official reports are not available, some place candidate and outside interest spending near $6 million.

Heck said the increased spending and ads attacking both sides are likely to draw new bipartisan support in the Senate and Assembly. In the Senate committee, Democrats gained the vote of state Sen. Dan Kapanke, R-La Crosse, moving the bill forward 4-1.

Bill for rape victims passes committee

Rape victims may receive emergency contraception upon request from any hospital in Wisconsin under a bill passed by a state Senate committee Tuesday.

The legislation, proposed by Senate Majority Leader Judy Robson, D-Beloit, would first require emergency rooms to inform victims about the commonly called "morning-after pill" — a high-dose of birth control designed to prevent pregnancy shortly after intercourse.

"This morning's bipartisan vote shows we have come a long way in the years that have passed since the Legislature first started talking about ensuring rape victims receive compassionate care," Robson said in a statement.

The Senate Committee on Health and Human Services passed the bill 6-1 with Sen. Mary Lazich, D-New Berlin, as the lone dissenting vote. She was unavailable for comment Tuesday.