What Ever Happened to Good Government in Wisconsin?

Is this protected speech?

That’s the title of Monday’s panel in the Hurvis Room of the  Warch Campus Center at 6:30, and it should be a corker. Ever since the Supreme Court decided Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission this past January, all you-know-what has broken loose about money in U.S. politics. The president famously called out the court in his State of the Union address, with Justice Alito brazenly mouthing the words, “not true.” And it hasn’t gotten any friendlier from there. Now, that’s entertainment!

Of course, over here in the econ department, we wonder “Why is there so little money in U.S. politics?”

The event will cover a lot of ground, including these Common Cause talking points:

  • Redistricting Reform
  • Disclosure of interest-group ads and other outside spending
  • Public Financing of Wisconsin Supreme Court and other state elections
  • Campaign Finance Reform in Wisconsin after the U.S. Supreme Court decision on Citizens United vs F.E.C.

We will welcome panalists from both sides of the aisle, including State Representatives Penny Bernard Schaber (D-Appleton) and Dean Kaufert (R-Neenah), Andrea Kaminski from the League of Women Voters, and Jay Heck of Common Cause in Wisconsin.

Given the number of co-sponsors, I’m guessing there is ample interest.  The co-sponsors are: the Lawrence Government Department, the College Republicans, the League of Women Voters of Appleton, League of Women Voters of Wisconsin, the Education Fund, the American Association of University Women – Appleton Branch, and the Wisconsin Alliance for Retired Americans.

I am moderating the event, so I hope to see you there.