Editorial: Reform needed to cut the costs of living here
In the past week, we’ve spent time expressing our opinion on how we think the Public Service Commission has gotten too cozy with Big Energy companies. Weak penalties and a lack of oversight have led to higher-than-necessary rates — all in the name of that unlimited “slush fund:” the taxpayer.
But there are other places where big business has cooed and coddled agencies for profits at taxpayer expense. We think the state Attorney General’s office should become empowered to look at them, too.
Wisconsin has one of the highest highway building cost percentages per capita in the nation. But we’re a flat state. Road builders have learned how to successfully lobby the political process for their profit. Politicians have chosen to forget that the taxpayers pay for that game.
Wisconsin also needs to look at serious campaign finance reform, but not just at the state level. There are some contractors who build public projects then turn around to become lead supporters in political campaigns. Maybe it’s time we have a prohibition against donating money to political causes in this way. A prohibition would remove the expectation that the contractor for a building will become a supporter of the politician.
Wisconsin needs a wake-up call. The cost to live here shouldn’t be as high as it has become. We need reforms so that Big Energy, Big Roadbuilders and Big Contributors can’t keep inflating the costs that increase our taxes.
http://www.wisinfo.com/northwestern/news/opinion/stories/opinion_22983281.shtml
Rep. Petri's 2004 cycle PAC contributions:
Industry - Amount - Percent
Transportation - $105,400 - 24.92%
Construction - $87,607 - 20.72%
Labor (mainly building and transportation unions)- $65,500 - 15.49%
http://opensecrets.org/pacs/memberprofile.asp?cid=N00004426&cycle=2004&expand=P
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