It’s a “power grab” for Republicans, says local group

Lawmakers release plans on replacing
accountability board with partisan groups

Republican lawmakers in Madison have detailed their plans to change election law in Wisconsin.  

Gone would be the state’s nonpartisan Government Accountability Board, replaced with two boards with partisan appointees.  

And there’s really only one reason for that, says Jay Heck from Wisconsin Common Cause. 

“It’s really nothing more than a partisan power grab,” Heck said. “And they want to be able to control all of the decisions.” 

But republicans say the Government Accountability Board has gone overboard in, among other things, supporting an investigation into illegal campaigning during state recall campaigns in 2010 and 2012. And, specifically how Governor Walker’s recall campaigns coordinated with outside groups during his recall elections.  

Heck says the GAB was acting well within its mandate from the legislature to insure that illegal campaign activity was not occurring.  

Also part of the legislation: Any investigations the two new commissions launch, that cost more than $25,000, would be subject to legislative review.