Will Sen. Ron Johnson Extend Call for Transparency to Himself?
In a recent press release Sen. Ron Johnson announced he is calling for more “transparency” in the Congressional Budget Office’s fiscal analyses of the Affordable Care Act.
Campaign Fundraising
Who is the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation Working For?
The report found that owners or employees of 30 percent of businesses receiving WEDC assistance contributed to Gov. Walker's campaign or the RGA. Meanwhile these same businesses received almost 60 percent of WEDC economic development funds - $570 million in total.
Is Gov. Scott Walker’s Book Deal Legal?
MADISON, Wis. — Gov. Scott Walker has, according to his state ethics filing, received more than $1,000 in compensation for “writing” a book. But how much more? According to One Wisconsin Now Executive Director Scot Ross, Walker’s refusal to fully disclose the details of his book deal prevents the state ethics officials and the public from […]
Wisconsin Money Badger Michael Grebe and Bradley Foundation, Cash Cow for Right-Wing Politicians
Besides using the Bradley Foundation-funded law firm and getting a sweetheart delayed billing deal, Johnson is trying to milk this lawsuit for campaign cash for himself.
One Wisconsin Now Files Federal Election Commission Complaint Over Sen. Johnson’s Failure to Disclose Legal Fees
One Wisconsin Now has filed a complaint with the FEC alleging Johnson improperly failed to disclose expenditures associated with his lawsuit against the Affordable Care Act.
Sen. Ron Johnson is Suing over Health Care, But Who’s Paying?
Despite declaring he could use campaign funds to cover legal costs, a review of Johnson's campaign finance reports reveal no incurred obligations or expenditures related to the suit.
Walker doesn’t disclose total book payment
“This report shows Gov. Walker continues to keep secret from the people of Wisconsin both the details of how much he personally enriched himself for his lucrative pre-presidential campaign book deal, as well as who financed his criminal defense fund,” said Scot Ross, director of the liberal advocacy group One Wisconsin Now. “Given the corruption, […] [Associated Press]
Has the Republican Governors Association Hit the Panic Button?
MADISON, Wis. — According to a report in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, a media firm that has already purchased $2 million in television airtime this year on behalf of the Republican Governors Association (RGA) has reserved another nearly $2 million worth of time in the final weeks before the November election. One Wisconsin Now Executive Director […]
Legal Filings Show Walker Ousted GAB Chair After Board’s Unanimous Vote to Proceed with John Doe Investigation
MADISON, Wis. — Just released filings related to the ongoing John Doe investigation into allegations of illegal coordination between Gov. Scott Walker’s campaign and a host of conservative organizations show Gov. Walker withdrew his own 2011 appointment of then-Government Accountability Board Chair David Deininger following a unanimous vote by the board to proceed with an investigation […]
Gov. Walker’s Tax Day Record: Failure on $80 Million ‘Higher Ed, Lower Debt’ Tax Relief Plan
One Wisconsin Now Executive Director Scot Ross railed against Walker for “his stunning lack of leadership” related to the stalled Higher Ed, Lower Debt student loan relief bill.
Eight Million Reasons Wisconsin Supreme Court Justices Should Recuse on Walker Request to Hear Corruption Investigation
One Wisconsin Now has filed a formal letter urging four of the court's justices to recuse themselves from a legal request by the campaign of Gov. Scott Walker related to the ongoing John Doe investigation.
Big Money Donors Prepare to Open Wallets
Joy Reid and One Wisconsin Now's Scot Ross look at how the Supreme Court obliterated post-Watergate campaign finance protections against "big money" trying to buy American elections. [MSNBC]
Senate GOP Extends Time for Lobbyists to Give Them Money, Rolls Back Voting Hours for Rest of Us
That Senate Republicans would pass bills to make it easier for special interest lobbyists to give them money while making it harder for average citizens to cast their vote is a damning indictment of their disdain for democracy.
National Coalition Seeks Solutions to $1.2 Trillion Student Loan Debt Crisis and to Restore Fairness for Borrowers
A new national coalition, Higher Ed Not Debt, is bringing advocates and borrowers together in a campaign to restore fairness to a student loan system gone horribly awry.
Gov. Walker Set to Travel to Nebraska to Campaign For a ‘Friend’
MADISON, Wis. — Media reports from Omaha, Nebraska say Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker will be traveling there on January 27th to campaign on behalf of Republican gubernatorial candidate Pete Ricketts. Ricketts is a multi-millionaire with a reported distaste for paying his fair share of taxes. He ran a largely self-funded and unsuccessful, campaign for U.S. […]
One Wisconsin Now Calls For Investigation of Rep. Kleefisch’s Attempt to Slash Child Support Payments For Major Campaign Contributor
One Wisconsin Now today requested Waukesha County District Attorney Brad Schimel open an investigation to determine if Kleefisch broke any laws with his actions.
One Wisconsin Now Says: “Don’t Be a Scrooge!”
MADISON, Wis. — In the wake of Gov. Walker’s recent, controversial campaign e-mail encouraging contributions to him instead of buying holiday presents for children, One Wisconsin Now is offering a special deal for tickets to its progressive holiday party and 8th anniversary celebration in Madison, December 16. Attendees who bring a new, unopened toy to […]
Will Scott Walker Run in 2016?
Governor Walker has access to an ungodly amount of money. His campaign co-chair runs the $500 million right wing funding Bradley foundation. His largest donor is the wealthiest woman in Wisconsin. [MSNBC]
Special Interest Shenanigans in 21st Assembly District
We know from news reports and court documents that Jessie Rodriguez's boss and the head of groups that have spent big money trying to get her elected were given special access to redistricting maps before they were made public.
Assembly GOP Attempts to Resuscitate Voter ID Law
The latest attempt by legislative Republicans to resuscitate a voter ID law that would potentially disenfranchise an estimated 300,000 legal Wisconsin voters.
Will Assembly Republicans Give Halloween Treat to Their Big Money Campaign Donors?
Assembly Bill 378, being given a public hearing by the committee today, would quadruple the current law donation threshold for reporting information about a donor's occupation and employer.
GOP Fatcats Pick A Side in State Assembly Race
Paid private school voucher advocate Jessie Rodriguez is the beneficiary of a windfall of over $45,600 in spending by a special interest group.
Grothman Has a Secret: Our Big Money is None of Your Business
A bill written by State Senator Glenn Grothman, and sponsored exclusively by Republican state legislators, to roll back campaign finance disclosure requirements was given a public hearing.
Governor Walker to Big Business Lobby: ‘Thanks a Million’
There's no question Gov. Walker has been more than willing to repeatedly sell out the middle class and working families of Wisconsin to benefit the special interests.
While Gov. Scott Walker Jets to New York to Hob Nob With Billionaires to Pursue Presidential Ambitions, Low Income Wisconsinites Getting Notices They’re Losing Their Healthcare
Gov. Scott Walker “jets” to New York for a fundraiser hosted by billionaire owner of the New York Jets, for the benefit of the Republican National Committee.
Top GOP Legislator on Gov. Walker’s Sleazy United Sportsmen Deal: ‘The Process Has Worked’
MADISON, Wis. — Almost daily new revelations have raised serious questions about the propriety and legality of Gov. Walker and Republican legislators inclusion of a sweetheart deal in the state budget that would have given $500,000 of taxpayer money to a group that endorsed Walker in his recall election. In the face of mounting questions and […]
Air Walker, Frequent Flyer
MADISON, Wis. — Gov. Walker has ditched the brown bag and four-door Saturn featured in his 2010 campaign ads for state taxpayer funded airplane travel, according to a report this week in the Shepherd Express. The paper’s review of Gov. Walker’s travel records found that between January and July 2013 Walker used state planes to fly […]
Gov. Walker Jets to Seattle, Washington For Speech… Meanwhile in Wisconsin Over 6,100 Citizens Demand He Follow Campaign Fundraising Disclosure Rules
MADISON, Wis. — According to reports, Gov. Walker has reversed course and will allow media to attend a speech he’s delivering to a right-wing think tank in Seattle, Washington today. While he’s not hiding from the press on the West Coast, back home in Wisconsin, over 6,100 citizens have signed a petition to the Government […]
Best Advice Ron Johnson Can Give Iowa Senate Candidate: Marry Rich, Have Company Pay for Campaign
Sadly, it seems like the best advice Sen. Ron Johnson can give his Republican friends is: marry rich and have you company pay for the campaign.
Walker campaign draws disclosure complaint
Liberal advocacy group One Wisconsin Now is hoping its latest complaint against Gov. Scott Walker’s campaign gets more traction than the last one. [La Crosse Tribune]
One Wisconsin Now Files Complaint as Gov. Walker Fails to Disclose Legally Required Information for 240 Donations on Latest Campaign Finance Report
Going back to 2009, when Walker began his run for Governor in earnest, his reports have failed to disclose legally required employer information for 7,512 big money donors giving over $100 totaling $2,330,197.98 in contributions.
Will Gov. Walker Take His Own Advice?
MADISON, Wis. — In a recent story in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Gov. Walker weighed in on the Ryan Braun scandal, ripping him for failing to “fess up”. One Wisconsin Now Executive Director Scot Ross called on Walker to heed his own advice by revealing the donors to his criminal legal defense fund and making […]
Gov. Walker’s Campaign Finance Report: More to the Story
MADISON, Wis. — In a statement on Gov. Walker’s recent campaign finance filing, his campaign manager touted his “grassroots” support. Would you be surprised if there’s more to the story? Once again, most of Gov. Walker’s campaign cash comes from out of state, and, once again, the vast majority comes from high dollar donors. We’ve […]
Bradley Foundation Dollars Continued to Fuel Right Wing Noise Machine in 2012
According to documents reviewed by One Wisconsin Now, staples of the state right wing noise machine were once again beneficiaries of the largesse of Michael Grebe in 2012.
Gov. Walker’s WEDC Pays Off Big… For His Campaign Account
A review of campaign finance records by One Wisconsin Now has found that Gov. Walker's campaign and the RGA have raked in over $614,000 in donations from individuals associated with businesses receiving tax credits through the WEDC.
Real People, Real Stories: The Consequences of the Trillion-Dollar Student Loan Debt Crisis
One Wisconsin, as part of their continuing student loan debt campaign, has posted an interactive map linking to the student loan debt stories of people across the United States at TrillionDollarDebt.com.
Twenty to Life: As Federal Student Loan Interest Rate Hike Looms, New Research Shows Higher Education Turning Into Multi-Decade Debt Sentence
A college education is supposed to be a path to the middle class, not a sentence to decades of debt. But, based on our original research, that is exactly what the fallout is.
Sen. Rick Gudex Wants to Require More Qualifications for Some Professional Licenses, But Not the Private School Voucher Program He Has Pledged to Expand
MADISON, Wis. — New legislation being proposed by State Senator Rick Gudex would require an individual to have two years of experience as a real estate salesperson before they could become a real estate broker. Meanwhile, the unaccountable private school voucher program that Gudex is demanding be expanded statewide, does not require individuals teaching children to […]
Walker Campaign Co-Chair’s Foundation Funds Group Suing MATC Over Taxpayer-Finance Savings Plan
The lawsuit by the WILL over a contract signed by the MATC comes thanks to the CEO of the Bradley Foundation, which has contributed $500,000 to WILL.
Gov. Scott Walker Maintains Veil of Secrecy for Those Who Foot the Bill for His Criminal Defense Lawyers
Gov. Walker has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to pay for his criminal defense attorneys, yet, to this day, he is refusing to disclose who's footing the bill.
Candidate for Department of Public Instruction Superintendent Uses Campaign Cash to Pay for Tickets to Event Hosted by Proponents of Radical Privatization
MADISON, Wis. — One Wisconsin Now Executive Director Scot Ross released the following statements regarding the revelation that Superintendent of Public Instruction candidate Don Pridemore reported spending $475 on February 5th, 2013 from his campaign account for tickets to an ALEC event: “There’s great irony in Don Pridemore using campaign funds from his run for […]
Gov. Walker’s Campaign Set to Drop Anchor at Exclusive Florida Yacht Club
MADISON, Wis. — Gov. Scott Walker leaves snowy Wisconsin behind this week as he jets off to sunny Florida for “lifestyles of the rich and famous” campaign fundraiser at the exclusive Naples Yacht Club. One Wisconsin Now Executive Director Scot Ross wondered if Chris Cline, whose open pit mining bill is one of Walker’s top […]
The Billion Dollar Question: How Big is Budget Windfall for Gov. Walker’s Biggest Campaign Contributor?
MADISON, Wis. — An initial analysis of Gov. Walker’s proposed income tax break in his 2013-15 budget shows, to no surprise, that the majority of the breaks go to the state’s wealthiest taxpayers. But, according to One Wisconsin Now Executive Scot Ross, the billion-dollar question is: what’s the windfall for Gov. Scott Walker’s largest campaign […]
Roggensack’s Excuse for Failure to Report $20,550 in Campaign Cash Doesn’t Add Up
MADISON, Wis. — State Supreme Court candidate Patience Roggensack deployed her campaign spokesperson, also a registered contract lobbyist, to attempt to explain away her failure to report over $20,000 in contributions from out-of-state backers of the private school voucher program. One Wisconsin Now Executive Director Scot Ross declared Roggensack’s claims don’t add up. “It’s unseemly […]
The Case of the Missing Contributions: Roggensack Fails to Report Big Money From Out-of-State Private School Voucher Backers in Latest Campaign Finance Report
MADISON, Wis. — A review of campaign finance reports by One Wisconsin Now has uncovered that State Supreme Court candidate Patience Roggensack failed to disclose $20,550 in campaign contributions bundled by backers of the private school voucher program on her latest campaign finance report. While Roggensack’s campaign failed to report the contribution, a separate report […]
Wisconsin Citizens Shut Out While Out-Of-State Mining Company Helps Draft Bill to Develop Massive Open Pit Mine
MADISON, Wis. — Legislation being fast-tracked by Gov. Walker and the Republican controlled state legislature to roll back environmental standards for a massive open pit mine in Northern Wisconsin was, according to drafting records obtained by One Wisconsin Now, extensively modified at the behest of the out-of-state company seeking to open the mine. One Wisconsin […]
One Wisconsin Now Statements on the Two Year Anniversary of Scott Walker as Governor
MADISON, Wis. — One Wisconsin Now Executive Director Scot Ross released the following statements on the two-year anniversary of Scott Walker as Governor: “Scott Walker used his gubernatorial inauguration in 2011 as a shockingly unseemly fundraiser for his own campaign and the state Republican Party. His cash grabs, pursuit of partisan political power and crony […]
‘Money Badger’ Minions Fight to Save Voter Suppression Efforts
Wisconsin's right wing noise machine is attacking the GAB for estimating GOP efforts to repeal same day voter registration will cost the GAB at least $7.2 million.
Will Wisconsin ‘Money Badger’ Back Gov. Walker’s Quest for Presidential Super PAC Cash?
Recent media report included Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker on a list of suitors seeking an audience with GOP mega-donor and Las Vegas casino magnate Sheldon Adelson.
Walker Aide Pleads Guilty Today. Set Up Secret County E-Mail System Used by Previously Sentenced Brett Davis Campaign Fundraiser.
MADISON, Wis. — One Wisconsin Now Executive Director Scot Ross renewed a call made earlier this week for Gov. Walker to demand the resignation of top administration aide Brett Davis for his participation in a scheme to benefit his failed Lieutenant Governor campaign, at taxpayer expense, that has resulted in jail time for one former […]