Political Contributions From Jobs Agency Board Members Vary Widely
Campaign finance records reviewed by the Democracy Campaign showed the bulk of the contributions came from employees of the Foley & Lardner law firm who contributed $637,097 to legislative and statewide candidates, including $105,318 to the governor. The law firm’s director of public affairs, Scott Klug, is the WEDC board treasurer. Klug alone has contributed $7,388 to all candidates, including $2,813 to Walker.
Associated Banc Corporation executives have contributed $106,696 to legislative and statewide candidates, including $32,570 to the governor. Associated’s senior vice president, Corey Hoze, and a WEDC board member has contributed $1,525 to all candidates and $1,250 to Walker.
Despite the eclectic mix of legal, business and banking knowledge on the board, the gaffe-prone jobs agency has been roundly and repeatedly criticized in audits over the past year for its poor business, financial and management practices involving millions of dollars in taxpayer dollars since it began handing out cheap loans and tax breaks to businesses two years ago.
Executives of Ariens Company in Brillion which makes lawn equipment and snow blowers contributed $21,655 to all candidates, including $4,025 to Walker. Company president Dan Ariens, the WEDC’s vice-chair and second in command to Walker, contributed $13,200 to legislative and statewide candidates, including $1,500 to the governor.
Tool Service Corporation executives contributed $8,063 to legislative and statewide candidates, including $4,163 to Walker. Company President Lisa Mauer, who serves as WEDC board secretary, has no record of making large individual contributions to legislative or statewide candidates from 2005 through mid-2012.
The three remaining private sector WEDC board members – Raymond Dreger of Seeds and Stuff Market in Colfax; Paul Radspinner of Madison-based vaccine maker FluGen; and Milwaukee attorney C. Thomas Sylke – and their fellow employees contributed a total of $2,650 to legislative and statewide candidates, including $500 to Walker.