State of Wisconsin Archives: on Government Reform


Mandela Barnes: Fighting to protect democracy and right to vote

Barnes, in his announcement speech in Milwaukee where he grew up, called for "leveling the playing field" by fighting for family-supporting jobs, combatting gun violence, creating a more fair immigration system, improving health care, addressing climate change and protecting democracy and the right to vote. "We can, today, build a movement for justice," Barnes said. "I'm running for the Senate to provide opportunity, to fight for hard-working people."
Source: Associated Press on 2022 Wisconsin Senate race Jul 20, 2021

Mandela Barnes: Voted NO on new state-funded absentee voting hours

Excerpts from legislation:

Excerpts from veto message: I am approving in-person absentee voting between Monday and Friday from 8 AM to 7 PM, and prohibiting in-person absentee voting on legal holidays. I am vetoing hiring individuals to assist with in-person absentee voting. I object to a new state expenditure for a function traditionally performed by local governments. We should all be focused on ensuring the integrity of the voting process by making it harder to cheat.

Legislative Outcome: Bill passed Senate 17-16-0 on 3/12; passed House 56-38-5 on 3/20; State Rep. Barnes voted NO; vetoed by Gov. Walker on 3/27.

Source: Politico.com on 2022 Wisconsin SB324 voting records Jul 20, 2021

Tom Nelson: He calls out the toxic influence of money in politics

Nelson recognizes the sins of both major parties, and he is not afraid to call out his fellow Democrats. Like U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, whose presidential bid Nelson supported as a delegate to the 2020 Democratic National Convention, he calls out the toxic influence of money in politics--especially the Wall Street money that has led too many Democrats to adopt the same positions as corporate Republicans when it comes to trade agreements, industrial policy and banking reforms.
Source: The Madison Capital Times on 2022 Wisconsin Senate race Apr 27, 2021

Sarah Godlewski: Saved job of State Treasurer, got elected to it

Sarah saw that Wisconsin values and fiscal responsibility were under attack. Scott Walker and Republicans were trying to eliminate the state's fiscal watchdog. So Sarah fought back--and won:
Source: 2021 Wisconsin Senate campaign website SarahForWisconsin.com Apr 20, 2021

Tony Evers: Fixing broken unemployment system is a priority

I'd like to talk about the second bill that should be passed and that's a bill to fix our broken unemployment system. Previous administrations and legislators have known this system was outdated and couldn't handle an economic crisis like the one this pandemic presented, and they never took the time to fix it. I will be calling a special session of the Legislature to take up a plan to modernize our unemployment system and help ensure nothing like this happens to the people of Wisconsin again.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to Wisconsin legislature Jan 12, 2021

Tony Evers: End gerrymandering, stop legislature from destroying records

This year, we're also going to fix another problem: our gerrymandered maps. My biennial budget is going to make sure that the Legislature draws our maps in the light of day, in the public eye, and with public input by requiring public meetings for the map-drawing process. And that's why we're also going to prevent the Legislature from destroying records from the map-drawing process because the people of our state deserve to know how these maps are drawn and by whom.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to Wisconsin legislature Jan 12, 2021

Ron Johnson: Voter fraud not quackery; need hearings and investigations

I didn't criticize Democrats when they were talking about potential hacking of voting machines. But now it's quackery? Now it's conspiracy theory? There's a double standard here, and we are not being transparent, and we are dismissing the concerns of tens of millions of Americans. I didn't light this fire. And the only way you solve it is with information, and transparency, and hearings, and investigations.
Source: Meet the Press interview on 2022 Wisconsin Senate race Jan 3, 2021

Tom Nelson: We need the Right-to-Vote Constitutional Amendment

In particular, Nelson is enthusiastic about strengthening protections for voting rights. One of the first things he would do in office, he said, would be to approach US Rep. Mark Pocan and ask to be the Senate author of the Right-to-Vote Constitutional Amendment. Referencing concerns about voter suppression and Republican-sponsored legal challenges to voting rights, he said, "We need the Right-to-Vote Constitutional Amendment so that we can be done with all this nonsense, all this litigation."
Source: The Madison Capital Times on 2022 Wisconsin Senate race Oct 26, 2020

Tom Tiffany: Cut federal budget wherever possible

Tom believes that federal spending is out of control. In Wisconsin, Tom and his colleagues took a $3.6 billion deficit and turned it into balanced budgets, $13 billion in tax cuts, and the largest rainy day fund in state history! Tom believes we need to take a look at the whole federal budget--how our government operates and where we can find massive, systemic savings for the taxpayer. Tom supports repealing the Davis-Bacon law that increases the costs of everyday federal building projects.
Source: 2019-2020 WI-7 House campaign website Tiffany4Wisconsin.com May 8, 2020

Tony Evers: Create a nonpartisan redistricting commission

When more than 80 percent of our state supports medical marijuana, 80 percent support universal background checks and extreme risk protection orders, and 70 percent support expanding Medicaid, and elected officials can ignore those numbers without consequence, folks, something's wrong. I will be signing an executive order to create a nonpartisan redistricting commission who will draw The People's Maps. When presented to the Legislature next year, I hope they will receive bipartisan support.
Source: 2020 Wisconsin State of the State address Jan 22, 2020

Scott Walker: Reduce power of next attorney-general after losing election

Legislative Summary: SB884: Eliminate the Office of the Solicitor General in the Department of Justice, which represents the state in certain cases on appeal in state and federal courts.

Analysis by The Capital Times: This is the most controversial bill in the bunch altering the authority of the Department of Justice by stripping some powers from the office of the attorney general. One key change would allow legislators to hire their own attorneys at taxpayer expense if sued in their official capacity. That measure is something Republicans wanted so they could be represented by Republican-leaning private attorneys rather than a Democratic attorney general.

Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 17-16-0 on Dec/4/18; Passed Assembly 57-26-12 on Dec/4/18; Signed by Governor Scott Walker on Dec/14/18

Source: The Capital Times on Wisconsin voting record SB884 Dec 14, 2018

Scott Fitzgerald: Reduce power of next attorney-general after losing election

Legislative Summary: SB884: Eliminate the Office of the Solicitor General in the Department of Justice, which represents the state in certain cases on appeal in state and federal courts.

Analysis by The Capital Times: This is the most controversial bill in the bunch altering the authority of the Department of Justice by stripping some powers from the office of the attorney general. One key change would allow legislators to hire their own attorneys at taxpayer expense if sued in their official capacity. That measure is something Republicans wanted so they could be represented by Republican-leaning private attorneys rather than a Democratic attorney general.

Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 17-16-0 on Dec/4/18; State Sen. Scott Fitzgerald voted YES; Passed Assembly 57-26-12 on Dec/4/18; Signed by Governor Scott Walker on Dec/14/18

Source: The Capital Times on Wisconsin voting record SB884 Dec 4, 2018

Tom Tiffany: Reduce power of next attorney-general after losing election

Legislative Summary: SB884: Eliminate the Office of the Solicitor General in the Department of Justice, which represents the state in certain cases on appeal in state and federal courts.

Analysis by The Capital Times: This is the most controversial bill in the bunch altering the authority of the Department of Justice by stripping some powers from the office of the attorney general. One key change would allow legislators to hire their own attorneys at taxpayer expense if sued in their official capacity. That measure is something Republicans wanted so they could be represented by Republican-leaning private attorneys rather than a Democratic attorney general.

Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 17-16-0 on Dec/4/18; State Sen. Tom Tiffany voted YES; Passed Assembly 57-26-12 on Dec/4/18; Signed by Governor Scott Walker on Dec/14/18

Source: The Capital Times on Wisconsin voting record SB884 Dec 4, 2018

Leah Vukmir: Drew districts overturned as unconstitutional gerrymander

Q: Elections: Support nonpartisan redistricting to address charges of partisan gerrymandering?

Tammy Baldwin (D): Yes. "Partisan gerrymandering is an attack on our democracy."

Leah Vukmir (R): Helped draw districts that court reversed as "unconstitutional political gerrymander."

Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Wisconsin Senate race Oct 9, 2018

Leah Vukmir: Supports voter photo-ID law

Q: Support stricter voting rules such as photo-ID requirements?

Tammy Baldwin (D): No. New Wisconsin voting requirements harm participation.

Leah Vukmir (R): Yes. Pleased Supreme Court refused the challenge to WI photo-ID law.

Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Wisconsin Senate race Oct 9, 2018

Leah Vukmir: Ease campaign spending rules; limit donor disclosure

Q: Campaign Finance: Require political ads to disclose their largest funders & prohibit foreign corporations from spending money in US elections?

Tammy Baldwin (D): Yes. Cosponsored 2017 DISCLOSE Act. Would overturn Citizens United Supreme Court decision.

Leah Vukmir (R): No. Helped pass WI bills easing campaign spending rules, limiting disclosure of contributions & tightening boundaries on corruption investigations, which their opponents called "political witch hunts."

Source: 2018 CampusElect.org: Wisconsin legislative voting records Oct 9, 2018

Scott Walker: Avoid witch hunts: limit political corruption investigations

Q: Support Citizens United decision, allowing unlimited political donations from corporations & unions? Views on Wisconsin campaign finance rules?

Tony Evers (D): Overturn Citizens United. Reverse Walker-supported law that limited political corruption investigations, doubled campaign contribution limits, & eased cooperation between candidates & outside groups.

Scott Walker (R): No public statement on Citizens United. To avoid "political witch hunts," he & allies pushed through a law to limit some corruption investigations. See defense & criticism of his approach to campaign finance limits and these investigations.

Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Wisconsin Governor race Oct 9, 2018

Scott Walker: Supported redistricting, but struck down as unconstitutional

Q: Voting Rules: Support voting rules that prioritize preventing even the possibility of fraud, even if limit access?

Tony Evers (D): No. Will "close the chapter of voter suppression in Wisconsin." Supports automatic voter registration.

Scott Walker (R): Yes. Has implemented several stricter requirements, calling them necessary to prevent voter fraud.

Q: Support nonpartisan redistricting to address charges of partisan gerrymandering?

Evers: Yes. "Politicians should not be picking their constituents, the people should be picking their politicians."

Walker: No. Supported redistricting that was struck down as unconstitutional.

Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Wisconsin Governor race Oct 9, 2018

Tammy Baldwin: Ease campaign spending rules; limit donor disclosure

Q: Campaign Finance: Require political ads to disclose their largest funders & prohibit foreign corporations from spending money in US elections?

Tammy Baldwin (D): Yes. Cosponsored 2017 DISCLOSE Act. Says overturn Citizens United Supreme Court decision, which helped flood US elections with unlimited secret money.

Leah Vukmir (R): No. Helped pass WI bills easing campaign spending rules, limiting disclosure of contributions & tightening boundaries on corruption investigations.

Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Wisconsin Senate race Oct 9, 2018

Tammy Baldwin: Partisan gerrymandering is an attack on our democracy

Q: Elections: Support nonpartisan redistricting to address charges of partisan gerrymandering?

Tammy Baldwin (D): Yes. "Partisan gerrymandering is an attack on our democracy."

Leah Vukmir (R): Helped draw districts that court reversed as "unconstitutional political gerrymander."

Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Wisconsin Senate race Oct 9, 2018

Tammy Baldwin: Voter photo-ID requirements harm participation

Q: Support stricter voting rules such as photo-ID requirements?

Tammy Baldwin (D): No. New Wisconsin voting requirements harm participation.

Leah Vukmir (R): Yes. Pleased Supreme Court refused the challenge to WI photo-ID law.

Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Wisconsin Senate race Oct 9, 2018

Tony Evers: Overturn Citizens United: limit political donations

Q: Support Citizens United decision, allowing unlimited political donations from corporations & unions? Views on Wisconsin campaign finance rules?

Tony Evers (D): Overturn Citizens United. Reverse Walker-supported law that limited political corruption investigations, doubled campaign contribution limits, & eased cooperation between candidates & outside groups.

Scott Walker (R): No public statement on Citizens United. To avoid "political witch hunts," he & allies pushed through a law to limit some corruption investigations. See defense & criticism of his approach to campaign finance limits and these investigations.

Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Wisconsin Governor race Oct 9, 2018

Tony Evers: Close the chapter of voter suppression in Wisconsin

Q: Support voting rules that prevent fraud, even if that limits access?

Tony Evers (D): No. Will "close the chapter of voter suppression in Wisconsin." Supports automatic voter registration.

Scott Walker (R): Yes. Necessary to prevent voter fraud.

Q: Support nonpartisan redistricting to address charges of partisan gerrymandering?

Evers: Yes. "Politicians should not be picking their constituents, the people should be picking their politicians."

Walker: No. Supported redistricting.

Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Wisconsin Governor race Oct 9, 2018

Phil Anderson: Make voter registration easier

Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Make voter registration easier"?

A: Support

Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Wisconsin Governor candidate May 18, 2018

Kelda Helen Roys: Make voter registration easier

Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Make voter registration easier"?

A: Strongly Support

Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Wisconsin Governor candidate May 5, 2018

Kathleen Vinehout: Eliminate the tools that diminish our democracy

Democracy is a set of rules that allows all of us to participate in making community decisions. At its best, democracy puts people first. People are first when the rules make voting easy, allow for more public participation, more openness, more disclosure, and more public discussion. Restrictions on voting, floods of corporate money, and speed and secrecy in the making of laws are the tools of those who seek to centralize control, restrict democratic practices, and take power from the people.
Source: 2018 Wisconsin Gubernatorial website KathleenVinehout.org Feb 22, 2018

Mike Gallagher: End pensions for members of Congress & institute term limits

It's simple: if you don't do your job, you shouldn't get paid. Currently, the "People's House" isn't doing the people's work. I will lead legislation that will not allow members of Congress to be paid unless a balanced budget is passed. Congress should not be a career; individuals should serve and return home. I will push to end pensions for members of Congress, institute term limits, and I will freeze congressional salaries so that Congress will focus on their constituents rather than their paychecks.
Source: 2016 Wisconsin House campaign website MikeForWisconsin.com Nov 8, 2016

Russell Feingold: Outraged by Shelby County v. Holder; enforce voting rights

Q: Will you co-sponsor legislation to repair the damage caused by the Supreme Court's decision in Shelby County v. Holder?

Russ Feingold: Yes. I was proud to co-sponsor the Voting Rights Act reauthorization in 2006, and I was outraged by the decision in Shelby County v. Holder, which undid necessary protections for voters in areas with histories of discrimination. As soon as the decision was announced, a number of states enacted new laws to make it harder for ordinary people to vote, including Wisconsin. If elected I would absolutely support new legislation to reestablish the important protections of the Voting Rights Act.

Source: LWV's Vote411.org on 2016 Wisconsin Senate Race Sep 19, 2016

Bernie Sanders: Campaign financing is corrupt; no Super PAC for me

Q: Nearly half of your financial sector donations appear to come from just two wealthy financiers, for a total of about $10 million.

CLINTON: You're referring to a Super PAC that we don't coordinate with, that has decided that they want to support me. They are the ones who should respond to questions. Let's talk about our campaigns. I'm very proud of the fact that we have more than 750 thousand donors. But, the real issue, I think, that the Senator is injecting into this is that if you take donations from Wall Street, you can't be independent.

SANDERS: What we are talking about is a corrupt campaign finance system. It is undermining American democracy. We had a decision to make early on, do we do a Super PAC? We said no. Secretary Clinton's Super PAC received $25 million dollars last reporting period, $15 million dollars from Wall Street. Our average contribution is $27 dollars.

Source: 2016 PBS Democratic debate in Wisconsin Feb 11, 2016

Bernie Sanders: Dept. of Defense is only agency never to have been audited

SANDERS: I believe in government, but I believe in efficient government, not wasteful government.

CLINTON: There are a number of programs are redundant and not producing the results that people deserve. There are a lot of training programs and education programs that I think can be streamlined. I would like to take a hard look at every part of the federal government and do the kind of analysis that would rebuild some confidence that we're taking a hard look about what we have and what we don't need anymore.

SANDERS: We have also got to take a look at the waste and inefficiencies in the Department of Defense, which is the one major agency of government that has not been able to be audited. I have the feeling you're going to find a lot of cost overruns there and a lot of waste and duplicative activities.

Source: 2016 PBS Democratic debate in Wisconsin Feb 11, 2016

Hillary Clinton: I am not beholden to Super PACs or Wall Street

Q: Nearly half of your financial sector donations appear to come from just two wealthy financiers, for a total of about $10 million.

CLINTON: You're referring to a Super PAC that we don't coordinate with, that has decided that they want to support me. They are the ones who should respond to questions. Let's talk about our campaigns. I'm very proud of the fact that we have more than 750 thousand donors.

SANDERS: What we are talking about is a corrupt campaign finance system. It is undermining American democracy. We had a decision to make early on, do we do a Super PAC? We said no. Secretary Clinton's Super PAC received $25 million dollars last reporting period, $15 million dollars from Wall Street. Our average contribution is $27 dollars.

CLINTON: But, the real issue, I think, that the Senator is injecting into this is that if you take donations from Wall Street, you can't be independent.

Source: 2016 PBS Democratic debate in Wisconsin Feb 11, 2016

Hillary Clinton: I will streamline wasteful and redundant programs

SANDERS: I believe in government, but I believe in efficient government, not wasteful government. We have also got to take a look at the waste and inefficiencies in the Department of Defense, which is the one major agency of government that has not been able to be audited. I have the feeling you're going to find a lot of cost overruns there and a lot of waste and duplicative activities.

CLINTON: There are a number of programs are redundant and not producing the results that people deserve. There are a lot of training programs and education programs that I think can be streamlined. I would like to take a hard look at every part of the federal government and do the kind of analysis that would rebuild some confidence that we're taking a hard look about what we have and what we don't need anymore.

Source: 2016 PBS Democratic debate in Wisconsin Feb 11, 2016

Russell Feingold: Created "Progressives United" PAC as soon as he left office

Republicans are trying to tarnish Feingold's image as a good government reformer, instead portraying him as a craven political opportunist. In particular, Sen. Johnson seizes on Feingold's 2011 creation of a political action committee called Progressives United, which was intended to push liberal causes and back like-minded candidates. A number of the PAC staffers now work on his campaign, and Feingold drew a salary from the organization. Thousands of dollars were spent to purchase copies of his 2011 book, "While America Sleeps," as gifts to supporters. And just a fraction of the money raised went toward helping liberal candidates.

Republicans say Feingold--whose claim to fame is the co-authorship of the sweeping campaign finance law that bears his name--created a campaign-in-waiting using the kind of outside group that he's spent his career railing against. "Mr. Campaign Finance Reform realizes that one of the first things he did when he left office was to set up a PAC," Johnson said.

Source: Politico.com on 2016 Wisconsin Senate race Aug 5, 2015

Glenn Grothman: Require photo ID for voting

Q: People should be able to vote without photo identification?

GROTHMAN: Strongly Disagree

Source: Faith2Action iVoterGuide on 2014 Wisconsin House race Sep 30, 2014

Glenn Grothman: Require proof of residence to vote or register

Source: 2014 Wisconsin House campaign website, GlennGrothman.com May 31, 2014

Leah Vukmir: Voted YES on new state-funded absentee voting hours

Excerpts from legislation: Excerpts from veto message: I am approving in-person absentee voting between Monday and Friday from 8 AM to 7 PM, and prohibiting in-person absentee voting on legal holidays. I am vetoing hiring individuals to assist with in-person absentee voting. I object to a new state expenditure for a function traditionally performed by local governments. We should all be focused on ensuring the integrity of the voting process by making it harder to cheat.

Legislative outcome: Bill passed Senate 17-16-0 on March 12 (Sen. Vuikmir voted YEA); passed House 56-38-5 on March 20; vetoed by Governor Walker on March 27

Source: Wisconsin legislative voting records: SB 324 Mar 27, 2014

Scott Walker: No new absentee voting: make it harder to cheat

Excerpts from legislation: Excerpts from veto message: I am approving in-person absentee voting between Monday and Friday from 8 AM to 7 PM, and prohibiting in-person absentee voting on legal holidays. I am vetoing hiring individuals to assist with in-person absentee voting. I object to a new state expenditure for a function traditionally performed by local governments. We should all be focused on ensuring the integrity of the voting process by making it harder to cheat.

Legislative outcome: Bill passed Senate 17-16-0 on March 12; passed House 56-38-5 on March 20; vetoed by Governor Walker on March 27

Source: Wisconsin legislative voting records: SB 324 Mar 27, 2014

Scott Walker: Prevent voter fraud: require voter ID at polls

We passed legislation to prevent voter fraud by requiring voters to show photo identifications at the polls--a bill Republicans had worked to pass since 2003. As I signed the bill into law, the protesters chanted "Shame!" and "Recall Walker!" outside my office. They weren't there for the voter ID bill; they were the same union protesters who followed me everywhere to protest Act 10.
Source: Unintimidated(Walker) p.215: Wisconsin Voting Records Act 23 Nov 18, 2013

Tommy Thompson: I've never been a lobbyist

In his successful recall effort June, Gov. Scott Walker portrayed public employees as privileged. In the Senate race, Thompson and Baldwin each claim to be the champion of the middle class.

"People are asking the question, 'Who's fighting for us?' versus 'Who's fighting for the big and powerful,'" Baldwin said in an Oct. 2 interview in Milwaukee. "Whose side are you on is a classic question in some elections, and I think it's coming to bear very particularly in this."

[One analyst] said Baldwin is trying to "to recapture the notion that the Democratic candidate is the populist candidate," he said. "She's trying hard to portray Thompson as the tool of the elite."

The Baldwin campaign has labeled Thompson a lobbyist for companies his Health & Human Services agency used to oversee, a charge that Thompson angrily denies. "I've never been a lobbyist," he said in an interview. "That's absolutely a lie." Thompson is working to define Baldwin as a big-spender, calling her "out of the mainstream."

Source: Bloomberg Businessweek on 2012 Wisconsin Senate debate Oct 5, 2012

Tommy Thompson: I'm a reformer: on welfare, healthcare, & taxes

Thompson said, "As governor I've cut taxes 91 times, reformed welfare [W-2 began in his administration], reformed health care [both Badger Care and SeniorCare began under Thompson, but were continued and enhanced under his successor], helped put Medicare Part D in place, and always tried to do what was right.

"I'm a reformer," Thompson emphasized, "and 742,000 jobs were created while I was governor." He also pointed to the Women's Health Foundation he founded along with his wife and their daughter.

Source: Madison Agri-View on 2012 Wisconsin Senate debates Oct 4, 2012

Tommy Thompson: I'm a reformer: on welfare, healthcare, & taxes

Thompson said, "As governor I've cut taxes 91 times, reformed welfare [W-2 began in his administration], reformed health care [both Badger Care and SeniorCare began under Thompson, but were continued and enhanced under his successor], helped put Medicare Part D in place, and always tried to do what was right.

"I'm a reformer," Thompson emphasized, "and 742,000 jobs were created while I was governor." He also pointed to the Women's Health Foundation he founded along with his wife and their daughter.

"My opponent is the Number One liberal in the House and the Number One spender in the House," he added.

"We're headed for a Depression," was Thompson's response when asked about the "fiscal cliff". "She introduced legislation and voted more than 100 times for tax increases. We cannot allow sequestration (to occur)," Thompson said, adding, "Isn't it sad Congress is waiting for January to solve (problems)."

Source: Madison Agri-View on 2012 Wisconsin Senate debates Oct 4, 2012

Mark Neumann: Allow voter ID by repealing Help America Vote Act

Question 5. Would you support repealing portions of the Help America Vote Act that interfere with individual states' rights to maintain the integrity of their voter identification and registration procedures?

Mark Neumann: Yes

Tommy Thompson: Yes

Source: 2012 Wisconsin Tea Party Senate Debate Questionnaire Aug 13, 2012

Tommy Thompson: Allow voter ID by repealing Help America Vote Act

Question 5. Would you support repealing portions of the Help America Vote Act that interfere with individual states' rights to maintain the integrity of their voter identification and registration procedures?

Mark Neumann: Yes

Tommy Thompson: Yes

Source: 2012 Wisconsin Tea Party Senate Debate Questionnaire Aug 13, 2012

Mark Neumann: Clean Up Washington: 12-year term limit for Congress

Neumann shared his "Clean Up Washington" plans. Neumann would like to see a 12-year term limit for Congress. He also wants to take away federal pensions and benefits from former members of Congress who become lobbyists. Neumann says the plans would limit federal spending and help balance the budget. "We're going to limit the influence of special interest groups and lobbyists," said Neumann.
Source: WLUK-TV FOX 11 News on 2012 Wisconsin Senate debates Apr 9, 2012

Scott Walker: End tax on HSAs; reduce frivolous lawsuits

The first act I signed as governor eliminated the taxes on health savings accounts, making health care more affordable for small business owners and family farmers. This change was a long time coming for Wisconsin and brings us into line with the rest of the nation. Our second act reduced frivolous lawsuits in Wisconsin. The litigation environment in a state is one of the key drivers for business. Now, we've turned the page on lawsuit reform and offer one more sign that Wisconsin is open for business.
Source: 2011 Wisconsin State of the State Address Feb 1, 2011

Ron Johnson: Third-party issue ad donors should be disclosed

One of the more heated exchanges came in response to a question about whether businesses should be required to disclose their identities in third-party issue ads.

"I'd be happy to have them disclose," Johnson said.

"Well, then why don't you ask them to do it?" Feingold responded.

"Disclose," Johnson said to applause from the audience.

Source: Wisconsin Radio Network coverage of 2010 Wisc. Senate debate Oct 12, 2010

John Schiess: No spending nor contribution limits on political campaigns

Q: Do you support limiting the number of terms for Wisconsin governors?

A: No.

Q: For state senators and reps?

A: No.

Q: Do you support limiting the following types of contributions to state legislative candidates: Individual?

A: No.

Q: PAC?

A: No.

Q: Corporate?

A: No.

Q: Political Parties?

A: No.

Q: Do you support requiring disclosure of campaign finance information?

A: Yes.

Q: Do you support imposing spending limits on state-level political campaigns?

A: No.

Source: Wisconsin Congressional 2008 Political Courage Test Nov 1, 2008

George W. Bush: We believe in people; they believe in government

The people of Wisconsin, they respect limited government. I thought last night it was one of the most telling moments in the debate when my opponent looked America in the eye and said he’s absolutely against big government. Now there’s a man who’s prone to exaggeration. He wants to grow the size of the federal government. He believes in Washington. We believe in people. We’re of the people and by the people and for the people. That’s the motto of our campaign. He’s of the government. He’s for government. He loves Washington, D.C. Now there’s a role for our government, but it’s not to tell the average folks how to live their lives.

If you’re sick and tired of Washington, D.C., the attitude, the finger-pointing, the name calling, if you want a fresh start after this season of cynicism, join this campaign.

Source: Remarks in Eau Claire, Wisconsin Oct 18, 2000

Winona LaDuke: Business funding of politics leads to political favors

[Democrats and Republicans] “spend $9 million on their conventions that they have to raise and then you wonder why we get public policy that looks like Motorola wrote it,” LaDuke said. “That’s also how you get policies where public parks have logging trucks coming (fully loaded) off of them.”
Source: The Student Voice, University of Wisconsin at River Falls Apr 10, 1997

  • The above quotations are from State of Wisconsin Politicians: Archives.
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2020 Presidential contenders on Government Reform:
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Sen.Michael Bennet (D-CO)
V.P.Joe Biden (D-DE)
Mayor Mike Bloomberg (I-NYC)
Gov.Steve Bullock (D-MT)
Mayor Pete Buttigieg (D-IN)
Sen.Cory Booker (D-NJ)
Secy.Julian Castro (D-TX)
Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI)
Rep.John Delaney (D-MD)
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Sen.Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
Gov.Deval Patrick (D-MA)
Sen.Bernie Sanders (I-VT)
CEO Tom Steyer (D-CA)
Sen.Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)
Marianne Williamson (D-CA)
CEO Andrew Yang (D-NY)

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Rep.Justin Amash (L-MI)
CEO Don Blankenship (C-WV)
Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI)
Howie Hawkins (G-NY)
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Howard Schultz(I-WA)
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Gov.Larry Hogan (R-MD)
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V.P.Mike Pence(R-IN)
Gov.Mark Sanford (R-SC)
Pres.Donald Trump(R-NY)
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Gov.Bill Weld(R-MA & L-NY)

2020 Withdrawn Democratic Candidates:
Sen.Stacey Abrams (D-GA)
Mayor Bill de Blasio (D-NYC)
Sen.Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)
Sen.Mike Gravel (D-AK)
Sen.Kamala Harris (D-CA)
Gov.John Hickenlooper (D-CO)
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