Campaign Finance Reports Filed Electronically
State Representative Tammy Baldwin
Wisconsin has a proud tradition of open government and access to public
records. In reality, such openness is virtually meaningless when it comes
to the ability of citizens and representatives of the media to make use
of or sense out of the campaign finance reports that candidates for state
level office are required to file.
For example, in the last gubernatorial race, Tommy Thompson's paper campaign
finance reports measured eight feet in height when stacked on the floor.
Challenger Chuck Chvala's reports measured three feet in height. Imagine
attempting to do research on which groups are trying to influence the outcome
of elections if you had to search through all those pages. Imagine trying
to identify whether a nominee for political appointment had previously given
a hefty campaign contribution to the appointing authority. Imagine trying
to advance and defend comprehensive campaign finance reform legislation
without the data which demonstrate the problems and abuses. Despite the
fact that all campaign finance reports are a matter of public record, it
is essentially impossible for citizens to learn anything useful from them.
The "Citizen's Right To Know Bill" directs the State Elections
Board to develop a system by which candidates for state-level office can
file their campaign finance reports electronically. The data concerning
campaign contributions and expenditures would then be made available to
the public electronically.
I introduced the "Citizens Right to Know" bill as a vital first
step toward comprehensive campaign finance reform. The bill directs the
State Elections Board to develop computer software and hardware so that
candidates can file their reports electronically. The State Elections Board
would then make the data available to the public electronically. Citizens,
researchers, policy makers and representatives of the media could access
this important information through home computers or computers available
for public use at libraries, schools and the State Elections Board.
The legislation received broad support outside the Capitol, including the
endorsement of Wisconsin Citizen Action, the state's largest public interest
organization. According to Bob Hudek, Executive Director of Wisconsin Citizen
Action, the "Citizen Right To Know Bill" will empower Wisconsin
voters. "Voters' ability to make an informed choice between candidates
is currently frustrated by an outdated cumbersome and useless campaign finance
reporting system," said Hudek. "Voters' cannot answer such basic
questions as: Which individuals are the largest contributors to state elected
officials? What interests do the contributors to particular politicians
have in common?"
The bill emerged from the Assembly Elections Committee on a unanimous vote.
It is currently pending in the Joint Committee on Finance. As the end of
the legislative session draws near, the bill's chances of passage diminish.
However, the "Citizens Right To Know" bill keeps gathering increased
public support including editorial endorsements from the state's three largest
newspapers.
In other campaign finance reform news . . .
Early this session, I authored Assembly Bill 80 which limits the contributions
that candidates for state level office can accept to $100.00. Currently,
candidates for the State Assembly can accept campaign contributions of up
to $500.00. Candidates for State Senate can accept up to $1,000.00 and candidates
for Governor can accept up to $10,000.00. This legislation, modeled after
initiatives in several other states, enjoys broad public support. Unfortunately,
the majority party refused to even give the bill a hearing.
As always, I invite you to keep in touch with me on issues of concern to
you. You can reach me by phone at 266-8570 (w) or 241-6675 (h); by FAX at
266-8463; at my new e-mail address:
tammy.baldwin@legis.state.wi.us; and now on the internet at http://www.state.wi.us/agencies/wilis/assembly/asm78/
or drop by my office in Room 412 - North at the State Capitol.