State Rep. Peter Barca
Press Release

Republicans Push Through Corrupt Politicians Protection Act

“John Doe Reform Bill” Would Eliminate Tools for Rooting Out Political Corruption

By - Sep 11th, 2015 02:53 pm

MADISON – Today, Assembly Democratic Leader Peter Barca (D-Kenosha) released the following statement in response to Republican leaders Speaker Vos and Senate Majority Leader Fitzgerald announcing that both chambers will schedule an October vote on the John Doe “reform” bill:

“Democrats believe this bill should be called the Corrupt Politician Protection Act – because it exempts political crimes from the John Doe investigation and prosecution process, while other crimes are still included.

“Most legal experts agree that our John Doe process works and is effective at rooting out corruption. The first John Doe investigation resulted in convictions of six Walker aides. Now more than ever, it’s important that prosecutors have the tools necessary to put a stop to that corruption.

“Dismantling the John Doe process strictly for political crimes is an assault on our democracy and Republicans have proven once again why they cannot be trusted to uphold clean, open and transparent government.

“Instead of ramming through this extreme right-wing agenda, Democrats think we should be working on jobs bills and promoting better economic security for the middle class. Republicans continue to push through harmful bills that we never hear from the public are their top priorities – including gutting the John Doe laws and turning our government watchdog into a partisan lapdog.”

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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