What’s the price of free speech in Wisconsin? Double

By Ryan Ekvall | Wisconsin Reporter

MADISON –Legislators in the Wisconsin Assembly passed themselves a campaign stimulus package of sorts Wednesday by doubling the dollar amount of campaign contributions they can receive from individuals and special interest groups in each election cycle.

Politicians on both sides of the aisle agreed the increase was long overdue.

“We’ve changed the contribution limits – that’s something that hasn’t been changed, I believe, in over 30 years,” said Rep. Jeff Stone, R-Greendale, the bill’s author.

If the bill becomes law, Assembly candidates could receive up to $1,000 per individual and Senate candidates could take up to $2,000 per individual.

Gubernatorial, attorney general and state Supreme Court justice candidates could accept individual donations of $20,000, double the current limit of $10,000.

A $20,000 individual contribution limit is about four times the national median for gubernatorial candidates, according to the National Conference of State Legislators. The median for state Senate and Assembly candidates is $2,000.

The campaign fundraising bill passed with broad bipartisan support on a voice vote – meaning individual lawmakers didn’t have to go on the record with a yea or nay.

“This bill is far from perfect and I know there are members on both sides of the aisle with heartburn on this legislation,” said JoCasta Zamarripa, D-Milwaukee, calling the bill a “mixed bag at best.” “My caucus is happy with online voter registration.”