Representative Brostoff’s Statement on Passage of the Corrupt Politician Protection Act
Today, the bi-partisan Government Accountability Board was voted to be dismantled.
“Legislators do not have the right to create or undo legislation to protect themselves yet yesterday Assembly Republicans voted to end John Doe investigations taken out against politicians despite the fact that John Doe probes have been proven time and time again to work against both parties.
It will revert to the same format that, just over a decade ago, permitted the heinous caucus scandal. It was the most shameful abuse of tax payer money in state history, it took place in these very halls, and it ended with members of both parties serving jail time.
Legislators do not have the right to debase campaign finance rules by doubling some of the limits while removing others altogether and destroying almost every one of the transparency policies. This legislation makes it easier for people and corporations to effectively buy offices for the legislators who will vote on their behalf.
These bills were pulled out just weeks ago and shoved through the system, Republicans hoped, before the public would notice. I voted against the John Doe and GAB bills. The campaign finance bill I recused myself from, as did all of my Democratic colleagues. The bill, obviously, was a conflict of interest for all Assembly members on the Floor today. While everyone on my side of the aisle did what they have vowed to do, recused themselves when faced with a conflict of interest, not a single member from across the aisle did the same. Not one.
These appalling campaign finance changes make it easier for politicians to be corrupt, the GAB changes make this corruption harder to investigate, and the John Doe changes make it almost impossible to convict anyone for their corruption. This was a sad week for Wisconsin.”
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.
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