Republican Leader Brings Anti-Reform Message to Fox Valley
OSHKOSH – The man who killed the recent ethics reform bill, Assembly Majority leader Mike Huebsch, will visit the Oshkosh area Thursday Night, spreading his anti-campaign reform agenda to attendees at a Fox Valley fundraiser for 54th Assembly District candidate Julie Leschke.
Despite the convictions of five Wisconsin legislative leaders on campaign fraud charges, Huebsch lead the charge to strike down Senate Bill 1, a campaign and ethics reform bill with broad bi-partisan support. The defeat of SB1 was described by the Oshkosh Northwestern as an “Incumbent Protection Plan” in an April 21 Editorial that keeps legislators like Huebsch safely in office.
The new majority leader has been described as a “powerful … legislator who [is an[ aggressive campaign fundraiser with close ties to powerful lobbyists,” for whom improved ethics implementations could be problematic (Capital Times, April 22, 2006). Despite the recent convictions of five Wisconsin legislators on campaign fraud charges, including close Huebsch colleague Scott Jensen, sentenced earlier this week to 15 months in prison, Huebsch has still stated he is proud of Wisconsin’s ethical practices — a claim the Janesville Gazette called “so pathetic.” (May 6, 2006).
“Perhaps Huebsch prefers not to reform campaign finance rules so that he can continue to receive hefty donations from special interest groups who want to continue to buy their way into power,” said Jef Hall, Winnebago County Democratic Party Chair.
“Ms. Leschke told the Northwestern she agreed with SB 1’s ‘spirit’ without committing to backing the actual reform bill. You either support ethics reform or you don’t. The 54th District deserve someone who takes a firm, principled position like Gordon Hintz has, not rhetoric. Actions speak louder than words - featuring Huebsch at her fundraiser suggests Ms. Leschke is out of step with Oshkosh voters’ demands for clean government.”
According to a Wisconsin State Journal May 15 Editorial “There is reason to believe that the Assembly would approve ethics reform, if Gard and Huebsch would permit a fair vote.”
Roger Utnehmer, president and general manager of the Door County Daily News, wrote recently “Shamefully, Assembly Speaker John Gard and Majority Leader Mike Huebsch have led a reform blockade that can only be viewed as an attempt to protect unethical behavior..... Members of the Republican Party would be wise to look to others who support clean government for leadership…..”
”And so would Oshkosh.” Hall concluded.
1 comment:
Would clean gov't also concern the acts of Chvala, Burk and the woeful prosecution attempt's by Brian Blanchard.
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