| Big Radio News |
Democratic state lawmakers unveil efforts to rein in spending on political campaigns.
State Sen. Mark Spreitzer of Beloit says he supports his party’s effort to put a statewide referendum on ballots that would signal voter support of an amendment to the U.S. Constitution to void the 2010 Citizens United Supreme Court decision.
That’s the ruling that allows for big spending by corporations, unions and nonprofits in political campaigns.
At a news conference Thursday, Democratic Assembly Rep. Lisa Subeck of Madison said Democrats have tried many times to put the issue to a statewide vote.
She says Republicans have resisted despite advisory referendums in scores of jurisdictions statewide, both liberal and conservative, showing support for limiting campaign spending and advertising.
Once the numbers are final, this spring’s state Supreme Court race is expected to break the record for the most expensive judicial campaign in U.S. history with tens of millions of dollars spent.
Another proposed bill would change state law to explicitly ban anyone from bribing people to sign a petition relating to an election. Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, who has become a fervent ally of President Donald Trump, offered Wisconsinites money in exchange for signing a petition that says signees oppose “activist judges.”
