With Democrats controlling both the governor’s seat and the state Legislature, legislation advocating change in campaign and election rules has become part of the central focus of the next session.

While closing the budget deficit continues to be Democrats’ first priority, reforming issue ad and campaign finance rules comes in at a close second.

Assembly Majority Leader Rep. Thomas Nelson, D-Kaukauna, said Democrats have already started discussing proposals.

“Wisconsin has strayed from the clean government and ethics of campaign finance, and we are hopeful to have a proposal soon after the beginning of next session,” Nelson said. “We need to close the issue ad loophole that will throw light on sources behind the unregulated ads.”

According to Mike McCabe, executive director of the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, issue ad disclosure must be at the top of the list, as the loopholes interest groups find are devouring campaign finance disclosure laws.

“All laws have been rendered functionally meaningless,” McCabe said. “Interest groups can pour in unlimited amounts of money and keep the public in the dark about who is paying for campaigning.”

Nelson said organizations that find ways around issue ad regulations need to be held to the same standards as the rest of the citizens regarding campaign finance.

According to McCabe, campaign finance and issue ad reform is needed because the public would be better informed about who is paying for advertising and who is behind the scenes pulling the levers.

“Right now, advertising is a slugfest between interest groups,” McCabe said. “The contest needs to be between candidates, not between interest groups, so the candidates could end up mattering in the election. Running a clean campaign must be the centerpiece so the public can see where advertising is coming from.”

While campaign finance and issue ad reform is relevant, Jim Bender, spokesperson for Assembly Minority Leader Rep. Jeff Fitzgerald, R-Horicon, said support of proposals will be determined as they are seen and will be based on constitutionality.

Ryan Murray, communications director for Senate Minority Leader Sen. Scott Fitzgerald, R-Juneau, said Republicans will also advocate for following the Constitution.

“We need to see the proposals because we are in favor of protecting free speech, and we want to make sure citizens’ rights are protected,” Murray said.

Bender added regulating issue ads is tricky because it is difficult to tell people what they can and cannot say.

“Free speech is free speech,” Bender said. “People have the right to say opinions, and opinions can be unpleasant.”

Although campaign finance and issue ad reform is cited as an issue, some Republicans say the budget deficit, the economy and health care reform are bigger issues.

According to Bender, citizens need to have more control over their dollars, and the cost of healthcare needs to be lowered.

“Ultimately, the average voter is more concerned with the economy and creating jobs than about issue ads, which the Democrats seem to be preoccupied with,” Murray said.