More Bad-Government Bills Introduced in Wisconsin

Wisconsin

A series of bad-government bills have just been introduced into our state legislature, which would enable more and more corruption in Wisconsin. Legalized bribery via campaign donations would be easier than ever. Other proposed bills would gut the GAB, which would aid in avoiding any repercussions for bad behavior. We must stand up and fight for what is right! Please call, write, email and meet with any and all representatives you possibly can. For some background information, please read articles HERE and HERE.

Thanks to WI Voices for the following information:

The Campaign Finance bills are SB 292 and AB 387. The GAB Bill has been assigned numbers (AB 388 and SB 294) and hearings on the bills have been set for Tuesday, October 13th at 9 am. Please continue your support against these changes helping us with the following:

Join us for our press conference

** Because we have so many people coming to the hearing tomorrow, we are NOT going to have a press conference tomorrow. Instead, everyone should go directly to the hearing at 412 East and members of the coalition will be available outside of the hearing to answer media questions. Peter Skopec from WISPIRG and Jay Heck from Common Cause will answer questions about the GAB and Campaign Finance bills, and Colleen Gruszynski from WI Voices can take questions about the online and SRD bill.

Please come to the Hearing

The Senate Committee on Elections and Local Government will have a hearing at 9 am Tuesday, October 13th at 412 East in the Capitol. The GAB, Campaign Finance and Elections Technology Bill will all be discussed.

Please spread the word!

Here is some sample language you can use for turnout:

“Hi, this is __ from ____. As you’ve seen in the media, the Republicans are trying to fast track legislation that would remove our rights to know who is spending money on elections and would cause less oversight over politicians. Would you be able to join us on Tuesday at 9 am for the hearing?”

Please call, write, email and meet with your legislators

Please make sure you and your friends are calling their legislators. A sample script could look like:

“Hi, my name is _____. SB 292 and AB 387 takes away my right to know who is spending money in politics and no longer states that campaign finance laws should serve the public, not politicians. SB 294 and AB 388 guts our ability to make sure you are obeying the rules. As your constituent, I have the right to know who is spending money on your elections and not have election officials that are in the pocket of legislators. Vote no on SB 292/AB 387 and SB 294/AB 388.”

Keep the pressure up online

Please use the #SavetheGAB. Here is a Facebook meme Common Cause created.

Register Against the GAB Bill

Please register against the GAB Bill (AB 388 and SB 294).

Let us know if you have more questions. Thanks!

Colleen
—
Colleen Gruszynski
WI Voices-Data and Targeting Manager
colleen@statevoices.org
507.358.0249

Meet us at Sequoya Library Tuesday Evening!

WI - Madison

Please join us Tuesday, October 13th, from 6:30 to 8:00 pm for a meeting of South Central Wisconsin United to Amend. The meeting will be held at the Sequoya Library, 4340 Tokay Blvd, Madison (map). This is THE core issue of our time. Please come meet the group and find your niche in this growing democracy movement!

A series of bad-government bills are being introduced into our state legislature, which would enable more and more corruption in Wisconsin. Legalized bribery via campaign donations would be easier than ever. Other proposed bills would gut the GAB, which would aid in avoiding any repercussions for bad behavior. We must stand up and fight for what is right!  Please call, write, email and meet with any and all representatives you possibly can. For some background information, please read articles HERE and HERE and join us at the press conference described HERE.

If you have any questions or comments, just reply to this email. Thanks for all you do!

Al Sulzer & Richard Russell Co-Chairs, South Central Wisconsin United To Amend

Citizen Groups Form Alliance to Fight Corruption and Rescue Democracy

Wisconsin
Three Wisconsin-based democracy reform groups – the Wisconsin Grassroots Network, Wisconsin United to Amend and Blue Jean Nation – announced the establishment of a partnership to maximize their collective impact.

“Separately, each of our groups possesses valuable assets and makes a difference,” said Mike McCabe, founder and president of Blue Jean Nation. “Together, our strength can be greater than the sum of its parts.”

All three groups share a mission of enabling Wisconsin citizens to work together to advance their ability to exercise the right to self-government against the corrupting influence of money in politics.

“There are many critical issues we face at this time in history,” said Jim Crist, from Wisconsin United To Amend, “but little can be done until we eliminate the institutionalized government corruption which is in our electoral process today. We look forward to working with Blue Jean Nation and Wisconsin Grassroots Network in this joint effort to build a stronger state network of community activists.”

McCabe, former director of the nonpartisan government watchdog group Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, organized Blue Jean Nation last April to “house the politically homeless and transform parties that are failing America.” The group pursues its aims through community outreach, civic education and engagement, grassroots organizing, and public policy advocacy and social action.

Wisconsin United to Amend, formerly known as Wisconsin Move to Amend, is a nonpartisan state network working for a constitutional amendment that will overturn U.S. Supreme Court decisions relating to corporations’ rights and money in politics, including Citizens United vs. FEC. The group has organized citizens’ groups in more than 60 communities throughout the state in support of referenda and resolutions that money is not speech, and that constitutional rights are reserved for natural persons, not corporations.

“United to Amend has done amazing work organizing communities, cultivating broad bipartisan support, and winning votes to rein in big money in politics by near-unanimous margins in community after community. We want to help find ways to keep those neighborhood activists engaged after their local vote is won. We want to knit them together with the activists in the other communities that have done the same thing,” said McCabe.

“Wisconsin Grassroots Network is ideally suited to help us make this happen,” McCabe added, “since it has been acting as the connective tissue for a wide range of different organizations and causes, and specializes in pulling together diverse interests into multifaceted local grassroots groups.”

Wisconsin Grassroots Network facilitates and sustains the development and growth of community-based grassroots groups that are devoted to enhancing democracy, justice and equity for all. WGN provides communication platforms, training, issue education, resources, organizing examples and networking opportunities for urban and rural grassroots organizations, their leadership and members.

“Critical issues that jeopardize democracy and our economy include institutionalized government corruption in our electoral process. We must stand united in our resolve to change our society’s course, community by community,” said Nate Timm of the Wisconsin Grassroots Network.

“Strategic alliances are key to this effort. We are inspired to be working with United to Amend as they mobilize communities to say unequivocally that corporations are not people and money is not free speech and Blue Jean Nation as they educate communities on the divisive tactics of focusing on the two political parties when the real issue is the undemocratic concentration of wealth in a few people. We look forward to playing our role in our partnership as a resource for developing community centered grassroots groups.”

Through the new alliance, the three groups intend to provide mutual support, avoid duplication of effort, and accentuate the respective strengths of each group.

Please come meet the Madison group this Tuesday

WI - Madison

Dear Supporter —

Please join us Tuesday, June 23rd, from 6:30 to 8:00 pm for a meeting of South Central Wisconsin Move to Amend. The meeting will be held at the Sequoya Library, 4340 Tokay Blvd, Madison (map). This is THE core issue of our time and it’s time for all of us to stand up for what’s right. Please come meet the group and find your niche in this growing democracy movement!

Please contact your representatives and tell them you want to see this issue put on a statewide ballot and ask that they co-sponsor AJR8 and SJR12. Finally, please send a letter to the editor of your local newspaper. Click HERE to see some sample letters. Here are a few talking points:

  • The enormous sums of campaign cash is nothing more than legalized bribery.
  • The huge corporations that are corrupting our political system have usurped the rights of natural people leaving citizens with little influence over the future of our country.
  • A recent poll shows that 97% of Americans are very concerned about the corruption in Congress and want something done about it. If lawmakers stand with the rest of Americans, they can get off the fundraising treadmill and regain control over their own political destiny.

If you have any questions or comments, please contact us. Thanks for all you do!

Al Sulzer & Megan Hines
Co-Chairs, South Central Wisconsin Move To Amend

Please Come to our Madison Garage Sale Fundraiser!

WI - Madison

Dear Movers,

On Friday, June 5 (8:00 am to 4:00 pm) and Saturday, June 6 (8:00 am to Noon), the South Central Wisconsin Move To Amend group is having a garage sale as a fundraiser. We have a garage full of a great selection of items: exercise bench, bike and kayak carriers, clothing, sports gear, many books, housewares, electronics and more. Priced to sell!

This sale is at 1817 Sheridan Drive (map) on the north side of Madison. From downtown take Sherman Ave going north. At the stop light at Mac Pherson, go left/west all the way to the end which is Sheridan Dr. Go right to the big white tent. That’s us. Doing our part to save democracy, so please stop by and buy! We end at 4 on Friday and noon on Saturday. It would be great to see you there!

Madison Meeting this Tuesday at Sequoya Library

WI - Madison

Dear Supporter —

Please join us Tuesday, July 14th, from 6:30 to 8:00 pm for a meeting of South Central Wisconsin Move to Amend. The meeting will be held at the Sequoya Library, 4340 Tokay Blvd, Madison (map). This is THE core issue of our time and it’s time for all of us to stand up for what’s right. Please come meet the group and find your niche in this growing democracy movement!

Please contact your representatives and tell them you want to see this issue put on a statewide ballot and ask that they co-sponsor AJR8 and SJR12. Finally, please send a letter to the editor of your local newspaper. Click HERE to see some sample letters. Here are a few talking points:

  • The enormous sums of campaign cash is nothing more than legalized bribery.
  • The huge corporations that are corrupting our political system have usurped the rights of natural people leaving citizens with little influence over the future of our country.
  • A recent poll shows that 97% of Americans are very concerned about the corruption in Congress and want something done about it. If lawmakers stand with the rest of Americans, they can get off the fundraising treadmill and regain control over their own political destiny.

If you have any questions or comments, please contact us. Thanks for all you do!

Al Sulzer & Richard Russell
Co-Chairs, South Central Wisconsin Move To Amend

Three More Wisconsin Communities Vote to Amend the U.S. Constitution

Wisconsin

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: George Penn, 608-244-6436 / geo_penn@charter.net

Three More Wisconsin Communities Vote to Amend the U.S. Constitution

Madison, WI (April 8, 2015) ­ On Tuesday, April 7th, three communities voted in favor of amending the U.S. Constitution to make clear that money is not speech and that only real people should have inalienable Constitutional rights. This would reverse the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision, which opened the floodgates to big money in elections.

All of the referenda passed with striking majorities: Watertown (69%), Evansville (80%), and the Town of Reedsburg (63%).

This brings the total number of Wisconsin communities that have called for an amendment to 57. In total, over 2.4 million people (41% of Wisconsinites) live in these jurisdictions. Across the country, 16 state legislatures have voted for an amendment, as well as over 650 towns, villages, cities and other organizations.

After the votes were counted, Brad Geyer, the resolution campaign leader in Watertown said: “Instead of representative government serving the people, increasingly, we have corruption, conflicts of interest and bribery. A handful of people on the US Supreme Court have handed power to the highest bidders. We will overcome this corruption when people step up in enough numbers to show our leaders our true will.”

Polls have shown widespread disapproval of Citizens United across the political spectrum. According to an August 2014 poll, more than three quarters (78%) of voters feel that reducing the influence of money in politics is an important issue.

“I’m very pleased and excited that we got our message across to the people of Evansville,” said Fran Zell, campaign organizer. “We worked hard, but also the people were ready to hear our message. This movement has gained so much momentum across the state. People believing in their power to change things is the crux of the matter.”

“When will the legislators in Madison listen to the people of Wisconsin?” said Bill Waser, leader of the petition drive in the Town of Reedsburg. “I spent over 10 years in our Navy and never once did I hear at morning muster “AT&T, GM, or Walmart. How can you say that a corporation, union, or other nonprofit organization is a person? Sure, made up of people, but so is a city… is a city a person? It’s ridiculous.

Democracy is a living, breathing ideal that needs to be nourished and worked on. Now is time to right this wrong! Stand with your fellow citizens across the land and get this referendum passed in your town, village, or city. We’re here to help you.”

United To Amend is a non-partisan, grassroots movement. For more information: https://wiuta.org

Wisconsin United To Amend Background Information:
https://wiuta.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/WIUTA-Community-Handout.pdf
https://wiuta.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Citizen-Lobbying-1-pager.pdf

Press Release: 5th Anniversary of Citizens United

Wisconsin

MoveToAmendWI

PRESS RELEASE for Wednesday, January 21, 2015

To mark the 5th anniversary of the Supreme Court’s highly controversial 2010 Citizens United decision, Money Out, Voters In Wisconsin (MOVI) is holding a press conference at 9:00am in the Assembly Parlor Room, at the Wisconsin State Capitol. Following the press conference, MOVI supporters plan to meet with representatives at the Capitol.

Five years ago today, the Supreme Court issued the highly controversial 2010 Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission decision. A split Supreme Court—with 5 justices supporting and 4 justices opposing—decided that corporations, unions and other similar entities have the same rights as those reserved for citizens, and therefore, in protection of their First Amendment free speech rights, these corporate entities can contribute unlimited funds to elections. Over the past five years, what have been the consequences of this controversial and far-reaching Supreme Court decision?

Each election cycle since the 2010 Citizens United decision has seen more and more money pouring into the system. Campaigns have become significantly more costly, and perhaps even more significant, in recent elections the candidate with most money has won over 90% of the time. Most of the money in these ever more expensive elections comes from big corporate special interest, who have vastly outpaced the contributions of small donors. In 2014, the Supreme Court further undermined the ability to regulate campaign contributions in the McCutcheon v. FEC case. This ruling struck down aggregate limits on campaign contributions to federal candidates and political committees, making it easier for corporate groups and the super wealthy to contribute large sums directly to candidates and political parties.

According to a 2012 Brennan Center for Justice poll, nearly 70% of Americans believed superPAC spending leads to corruption, and 85% believed that, compared with past elections, the money being spent by political groups in elections was more likely to lead to corruption. Thus, it appears more and more money is pouring into elections and the majority of people believe that all this money is leading to widespread corruption.

The extension of constitutional rights to corporations, unions and other similar entities, often known as “corporate personhood,” has led to other serious issues. Corporations have used their court granted constitutional rights to evade protective regulations and to shun societal obligations. For example, in an effort to avoid environmental protections, the courts have claimed that regulatory inspections violate their Fourth Amendment protections from illegal search and seizures. Corporations have even claimed the First Amendment right to religious freedom, as seen in the 2014 Hobby Lobby case. In this case, a corporation successfully claimed the first amendment right of religious freedom to avoid complying with a government mandate.

With the significant consequences of the Citizens United decision in mind, there is a movement afoot to amend the constitution, to reign in political spending and to end corporate personhood. Nationally, the Move to Amend group is working state-by-state, town-by-town, and ultimately person-by-person to overturn Citizens United by amending the U.S. Constitution. Move to Amend is a national coalition, with more than150 local affiliates and over 370,000 members. Move to Amend supports the We the People Amendment, which clarifies for the Supreme Court and all Americans that money is not speech, and therefore, campaign spending can be regulated; and only human beings—not corporations, unions, and the rest—are entitled to constitutional rights.

“Nearly all Americans share the sentiment that corporations should not have the same rights as people, and big money in politics should be removed,” stated Kaitlin Sopoci-Belknap, National Director of Move to Amend. “It is time for Congress to pass the We the People Amendment and send it to the states for ratification. The leadership of both parties need to realize that their voters are clamoring for this amendment, and we are only going to get louder.”

Thus far, 16 state legislatures have signaled their support in favor of some type of constitutional amendment to overturn the Citizens United decision.  Across the country, almost 600 cities, towns, villages, and other organizations have voted in favor of the Move to Amend amendment, often by an overwhelming margin. In Wisconsin’s last election, twelve communities voted in support of an amendment, with every measure garnering at least 70% support. To date, 54 Wisconsin communities that have called for the Move to Amend amendment. In total, 2.4 million people (41% of Wisconsinites) live in these jurisdictions.

 “Money in politics affects our lives everyday,” said Donna Richards, a Move to Amend volunteer of Fond du Lac, WI. “We pay too much for healthcare. Our taxes go towards corporate welfare and wars, instead of education and protecting our environment. Our energy policy is dictated by Big Oil, and we can’t even pass reasonable gun background checks because the gun manufacturers have bought half of Congress. This isn’t what democracy looks like.”

# # #
James Hartwick
Wisconsin Move to Amend, Co-chair
jmmccabe9@gmail.com
608.206.3032

Unhappy 5th Birthday, Citizens United!

Wisconsin

The 5th anniversary of the disastrous Citizens United decision is this Wednesday, January 21st. United To Amend and Money Out, Voters In Wisconsin has a full day of events planned. Please Join Us!!

8:45 AM – Lobby Day Activist Training @ WISPIRG, 122 State Street, 5th Floor, Madison (map).

9:00 AM – Press Conference – Assembly Gallery Room, Wisconsin State Capitol Building, Madison.

10:45 AM – 2:00 PM: Lobby Day at the Capitol.

2:00-2:30 PM – Debrief, Capitol Routunda.

3:00 PM – Post-Lobbying social hour (Location TBD).

6:30-8:00PM – Unhappy 5th Birthday Party, Citizens United with Mike McCabe, Julie Wells, Kaja Rebane and the Raging Grannies! Meet us at Cargo Coffee, 750 E. Washington Ave, Madison (map).

Twelve Wisconsin Communities Vote to Amend the U.S. Constitution

Wisconsin

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: George Penn, 608-244-6436 / geo_penn@charter.net

Twelve Wisconsin Communities Vote to Amend the U.S. Constitution

Madison, WI (November 5, 2014) – On Tuesday, November 4th, twelve communities voted in favor of amending the U.S. Constitution to make clear that money is not speech and that only real people should have inalienable Constitutional rights. This would reverse the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision, which opened the floodgates to big money in elections.

All twelve referenda passed with overwhelming majorities: Milwaukee County (70%), Dunn County (72%), Green Bay (77%), Appleton (74%), Fond du Lac (73%), Neenah (79%), Menasha (80%), Ripon (79%), Oregon (79%), Stoughton (82%), Wausau (77%), and the Village of Park Ridge (83%).

This brings the total number of Wisconsin communities that have called for an amendment to 54. In total, 2.4 million people (41% of Wisconsinites) live in these jurisdictions. Across the country, 16 state legislatures have voted for an amendment, as well as almost 600 towns, villages, cities and other organizations.

After the votes were counted, Betty Kossik, the resolution campaign leader in Green Bay said: “We are extremely pleased that these referenda passed by such high margins. This clearly demonstrates the will of the people. It is time for our state representatives to put this resolution to a statewide vote, and to move towards sending a resolution from Wisconsin to the U.S. Congress.”

Polls have shown widespread disapproval of Citizens United across the political spectrum. According to an August 2014 poll, more than three quarters (78%) of voters feel that reducing the influence of money in politics is an important issue.

“Money in politics affects our lives everyday”, said Donna Richards of Fond du Lac. “We pay too much for healthcare. Our taxes go towards corporate welfare and wars, instead of education and protecting our environment. Our energy policy is dictated by Big Oil, and we can’t even pass reasonable gun background checks because the gun manufacturers have bought half of Congress. This isn’t what democracy looks like.”

“We need the power of the people to change this situation,” said Katie Schierl, a leader of the petition drive in Neenah and Menasha. “That’s the only way it’s going to happen. This movement is growing all across America – it’s going viral. Everybody, including the politicians, sees the status quo needs to change.”

Marcia Engen, a Move To Amend leader in Appleton agreed. “Congress won’t fix our broken political process by itself. If we want real change, We the People have to stand up and demand it.”

Wisconsin United To Amend is a non-partisan, grassroots movement. For more information: https://wiuta.org/

Wisconsin United To Amend Background Information:

https://wiuta.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/WIUTA-Community-Handout.pdf

https://wiuta.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Citizen-Lobbying-1-pager.pdf

Photos:

https://wiuta.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Milwaukee3.jpg
https://wiuta.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Madison4.jpg
https://wiuta.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Wausau-Petition-Signer.jpg
https://wiuta.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Wausau-MTA.jpg

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