Corporations Pour Money Into State Politics
They spend nearly $300,000 in first four months of 2016 to elect favored candidates.
American Cash by Psychonaught. Photo of money
Corporations, which were banned for more than 100 years from giving to political parties or committees, gave a total of $297,850 to the two state parties and the four legislative campaign committees in the first four months of the year. (See table below for total listing.)
Corporations are limited to giving $12,000 to any party or committee. Here are the top ten corporate givers:
1. Wisconsin Beer Distributors: $36,000
It gave $12,000 to the Republican Assembly Campaign Committee and $12,000 to the Committee to Elect a Republican Senate. And it gave $6,000 to the Assembly Democratic Campaign Committee and $6,000 to the State Senate Democratic Committee.
2. Altria: $30,000
It gave $12,000 to the Republican Assembly Campaign Committee and $8,000 to the Committee to Elect a Republican Senate. It also gave $5,000 each to the Assembly Democratic Campaign Committee and the State Senate Democratic Committee.
3. ABC (Associated Builders and Contractors): $24,000.
It gave $12,000 to the Republican Assembly Campaign Committee and $12,000 to the Committee to Elect a Republican Senate.
4. Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce: $24,000.
It gave $12,000 to the Republican Assembly Campaign Committee and $12,000 to the Committee to Elect a Republican Senate.
5. Agents Assistance Corp. of Wisconsin: $16,000.
It gave $10,000 to the Committee to Elect a Republican Senate, and $6,000 to the Republican Assembly Campaign Committee.
6. UnitedHealth Group: $13,500.
It gave $5,500 to the Committee to Elect a Republican Senate, and $5,500 to the Republican Assembly Campaign Committee, and $2,500 to the State Senate Democratic Committee.
7. MillerCoors: $13,000.
It gave $7,000 to the Democratic Party of Wisconsin and $6,000 to the Committee to Elect a Republican Senate.
8. Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee: $12,000.
It gave $12,000 to the State Senate Democratic Committee.
9. Courti Insurance Agency: $12,000.
It gave $10,000 to the Republican Party of Wisconsin.
10. Forest County Potawatomi: $9,000.
It gave $6,000 to the Republican Assembly Campaign Committee and $3,000 to the State Senate Democratic Committee.
Corporate Contributors to State Parties and Legislative Campaign Committees
| Corporation | Amount |
|---|---|
| WBD Corporate – Wisconsin Beer Distributors Assn Inc | $36,000.00 |
| Altria Client Services | $30,000.00 |
| ABC of Wisconsin | $24,000.00 |
| MMAC – #Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce# | $24,000.00 |
| Agents Assistance Corp of Wisconsin | $16,000.00 |
| UnitedHealth Group Inc | $13,500.00 |
| MillerCoors | $13,000.00 |
| DLCC – Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee | $12,000.00 |
| Courti Insurance Agency | $10,000.00 |
| Forest County Potawatomi Community | $9,000.00 |
| Milwaukee Bucks | $8,000.00 |
| Anheuser Busch | $7,500.00 |
| Volunteers for Ag | $6,000.00 |
| American Beverage Association | $6,000.00 |
| BNSF Railway | $6,000.00 |
| Wisconsin Collectors Association | $6,000.00 |
| Wisconsin Grocers Association | $5,500.00 |
| Wisconsin Funeral Directors Association | $5,000.00 |
| Wisconsin Propane Gas Association | $4,000.00 |
| Michael Best & Friedrich | $3,500.00 |
| Kwik Trip | $3,500.00 |
| ADSO – Association of Dental Support Organizations | $3,000.00 |
| Hupy & Abraham, SC | $3,000.00 |
| Cress Funeral & Cremation | $3,000.00 |
| Milwaukee Police Association | $3,000.00 |
| PhRMA – Pharmaceutical Research & Manufacturers of America | $3,000.00 |
| Wisconsin Bankers Association | $3,000.00 |
| Wisconsin Industrial Sand Association | $3,000.00 |
| NextEra Energy Point Beach LLC | $2,500.00 |
| Wisconsin State Telecommunications Association | $2,000.00 |
| Advance America | $2,000.00 |
| PLS Financial Services aka Payday Loan Store | $2,000.00 |
| Bradshaw Medical | $1,500.00 |
| Coca-Cola Company | $1,500.00 |
| Capitol Navigators Inc | $1,000.00 |
| ARDA Resort Owners Coalition | $1,000.00 |
| Check Into Cash of Wisconsin LLC | $1,000.00 |
| Collections Services, Inc | $1,000.00 |
| Fincantieri Marinette Marine | $1,000.00 |
| Mark J Neu PT SC | $1,000.00 |
| Yahara Materials Inc | $1,000.00 |
| Wisconsin Small Business United | $1,000.00 |
| Sanofi US Services | $1,000.00 |
| National Grocers Association | $1,000.00 |
| Novolex | $1,000.00 |
| Dresser Trap Rock, Inc | $1,000.00 |
| Pharmacy Society of Wisconsin | $1,000.00 |
| DLK Enterprises | $500.00 |
| Gimbel, Reilly, Guerin & Brown LLP | $500.00 |
| Michels Corporation | $500.00 |
| Wisconsin Beverage Association | $500.00 |
| Dean Realty Group | $500.00 |
| Adams Outdoor Advertising | $500.00 |
| DeRango the Pizza King | $500.00 |
| Healthy Paws Veterinary Clinic | $200.00 |
| Union Grove Lumber & True Value Co | $100.00 |
| Steve’s South Side | $50.00 |
| Total | $297,850.00 |
