As I See It
New ethics commission members to contribute to politicians they oversee
The first test isn’t very encouraging. Wisconsin’s newly formed state agency dealing with keeping government honest would like to be able to grease the palms of those they are overseeing. The State Ethics Commission, in charge of our campaigns and the conduct of our public officials is facing the first test of its ability to remain neutral. The members of this new commission are not neutral, unlike the retired judges who comprised the Government Accountability Board they replaced. They are handpicked partisan appointees, tasked with overseeing the state’s campaign finance, ethics and lobbying laws. Three democrats, three republicans. The commission is to consider whether its members should be allowed to contribute to political campaigns. The answer should be no. How can this group claim to be independent and accountable if they are giving money to the very people they are charged with overseeing? So much for unbiased. The retired judges on the GAB weren’t allowed to give to political candidates, and neither should this group of partisan hacks.