Wisconsin issue ad loophole needs closing in wake of Impartial Justice reform

A issue ad loophole in Wisconsin campaign finance law should be closed to prevent special interest groups from spending unlimited amounts of money on state elections, writes executive director of the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, Mike McCabe to the Janesville Gazette. This move would strengthen the recently enacted Impartial Justice Act, which created public financing for state Supreme Court elections.

Legislation has been approved by committees in both houses and is awaiting final votes in the Senate and Assembly.

Closing the loophole would require issue-ad groups to fully disclose their financial activities and follow campaign contribution rules, and publically financed candidates who find themselves under attack by the special-interest groups would be able to use public funds to fight back.

“The gaping loophole in Wisconsin’s campaign finance regulations allowing wealthy interests to operate outside the law has become the single greatest ill in our elections. The votes are there to cure this ailment,” said McCabe. “The majority of members of both houses are on record in favor of closing the issue-ad loophole.”

Senate leader Russ Decker promised the Senate would look into reforming the act after the first of the year.

For more information about disclosure laws for “third-party” campaigns, which have poured millions of dollars into judicial elections, from Justice at Stake’s issue page on the topic.