Rent-to-Own Shills Push Anti-Consumer Bill
January 31, 2018
Two GOP lawmakers who are top recipients of rent-to-own contributions are still pressing their bill to loosen state regulations on the industry.
Press Releases
Wisconsin Democracy Campaign's press releases and special reports cover issues central to our mission, including campaign fundraising, political corruption and more.
2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012
2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1997-1999
A Bill to Shine a Light on ALEC
January 30, 2018
Democratic lawmakers are circulating a proposal that would require the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) to be more transparent about its activities involving Wisconsin GOP lawmakers.
Hendricks Clan Contributes $80K to Walker
January 29, 2018
The family of roofing supply billionaire Diane Hendricks contributed $80,000 to Republican Gov. Scott Walker’s campaign during the last half of 2017, a Wisconsin Democracy Campaign preliminary review found.
Walker Got $1 in $3 from Individuals Outside Wisconsin in 2017
January 26, 2018
Read more ...
About $1 of every $3 in individual contributions raised in 2017 by Republican Gov. Scott Walker came from outside the state, a Wisconsin Democracy Campaign review found.
Landlords Win in the Assembly
January 24, 2018
A GOP proposal that would make it easier for landlords to evict tenants and limit the frequency and cost of local rental unit inspections was approved Tuesday by the Assembly.
Fitzgerald’s “Hatchet Job” Cuts Off Heads
January 23, 2018
Wisconsin Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald got his way today. He and his Republican colleagues got rid of the administrator at the Ethics Commission, Brian Bell, and the administrator at the Elections Commission, Michael Haas.
Open Letter to the Sauk County Board on Redistricting
January 23, 2018
(Open letter to Sauk County Board Chair regarding nonpartisan redistricting.)
Wealthy Walker Donor’s State Forest Project Gets New Life
January 23, 2018
A controversial state forest bike trail and bridge project backed by a wealthy donor to Republican Gov. Scott Walker is getting new life.
Wisconsin Candidate Fundraising Up More Than 550 Percent Over 25 Years
January 22, 2018
As Wisconsin residents brace for another election year for legislative and statewide offices, a Wisconsin Democracy Campaign review found fundraising by Wisconsin legislative and statewide candidates shot up more than 550 percent in nearly 25 years.
State OKs Key Permit for Major GOP Donor’s Golf Course
January 18, 2018
The state approved the first in a string of permits sought by a major GOP campaign contributor to build a high-end golf course along the Lake Michigan shore that uses state park land.
Testimony in Opposition to AB 553, the “Anti-BDS Bill”
Before the Assembly Committee on Government Accountability and Oversight
January 17, 2018
(Testimony delivered on January 17, 2018 by Wisconsin Democracy Campaign Executive Director Matthew Rothschild opposing Assembly Bill 553 that seeks to prevent boycotts against Israel.)
High Court Candidate’s Campaign Finance Report Lacks Required Donor ID
January 17, 2018
The latest campaign finance report filed by Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate Tim Burns did not identify required occupational information for any of the contributors who gave him more than $200, as required by law.
State’s ‘Whitest’ Districts Tend to Elect GOP Legislators
January 15, 2018
As Wisconsin and the nation prepare to honor civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., a review of U.S. Census data shows Wisconsin residents elect Republican legislators in districts with the highest percentage of white residents, and Democrats in districts with the highest ratio of non-white residents.
Where the Money Is in the 10th Senate Special Election
January 12, 2018
Candidates are in the final days of campaigning for next Tuesday’s 10 th Senate District special election, so here’s a rundown on the money raised by the candidates and the activities and spending by outside groups.
Republican Bills Would Prohibit Numerous Local Labor Rules
January 11, 2018
A gang of business, banking, rightwing ideological, and other powerful special interests are backing GOP bills that would prohibit local governments from passing a variety of labor-related ordinances.
Letter to Wisconsin Elections Commission
Supporting Commission Administrator Mike Haas
January 10, 2018
Stop the Attacks on Elections and Ethics Commissions Leaders
An open letter to Fitzgerald, Vos and Wisconsin State Senators
January 10, 2018
Burns, Dallet Appear Wealthier Than Screnock
January 10, 2018
The three candidates for the Wisconsin Supreme Court have filed financial statements, which appear to show Madison attorney Tim Burns and Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Rebecca Frank Dallet are wealthier than Sauk County Circuit Judge Michael Screnock.
Here's What Special Interests Are Up to in 10th Senate Special Election
January 8, 2018
At least three special interest groups are sponsoring ads and mailings against the Democratic and Republican candidates in an upcoming special election for the vacant 10th Senate District seat.
GOP Lawmaker Gets Warning About Possible Ethics Law Violation
January 5, 2018
A USA Today Network – Wisconsin story on Thursday said Rep. Robert Kulp, of Stratford, was issued a warning by the commission rather than face tougher penalties or prosecution. The commission’s action was noted in a letter last month that the commission sent to an individual who filed a complaint about Kulp’s activities.
GOP Bill a Favor to Real Estate Industry
January 4, 2018
The measure, Senate Bill 639, which is authored by Sens. Frank Lasee, of De Pere, and David Craig, of Big Bend, drew support from the Wisconsin Realtors Association and groups representing landlords and apartment building owners. It was opposed by local governments and aging, health, and domestic violence groups.
Influence Peddler of the Month for January 2018 - Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC)
January 2, 2018
(This profile updates information and figures in a previous June 2015 feature on WMC. This profile has since been updated as of June 2021.)
Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC) is the state’s largest business organization and consistently one of the biggest spenders on outside electioneering activities and on lobbying.