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Capitol Notes
WI: Weekly Political and Legislative Update |
TO: Clients/Friends of Capitol Consultants, Inc./Wimmer & Company, S.C.
FROM: Capitol Consultants, Inc.
& Wimmer Company, S.C.
DATE: August 26, 2011
SUBJECT: Weekly Legislative and Political Update
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Recall Elections Recap: Follow the Money
Throughout the past few months Capitol Notes has covered the historic nine recall elections in the Wisconsin State Senate extensively. As one of our last comments on these elections, we focus on the old saying in politics of "follow the money."
This week Wispolitics.com reported that a whopping nearly $18 million was spent on TV, cable and radio airtime during the nine recall elections. This amount does not include broadcast ad production costs, and other spending on direct mail pieces and other forms of political voter contact, which has not been completely tallied yet.
In the nine - six GOP and 3 Democratic - recall elections, the Democratic candidates and the like-minded, outside groups that supported their efforts spent $10.6 million compared to $7.2 million that was spent by the Republican candidates and their allies.
The union-backed, Democratic-supporting group We Are Wisconsin was the biggest spender at almost $4.7 million (www.wispolitics.com).
Breakdown of Recall Election Spending:
Democrats and their Allies
We Are Wisconsin $4.7 million
Greater Wisconsin Committee $1.4 million
Greater Wisconsin Political Fund $1.15 million
PCCC and DFA $1.1 million
Senate Dems $1.1 million
Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee $252,209
Women VOTE! $189,456
People for the American Way $60,987
League of Conservation Voters $32,000
Sandy Pasch $535,760
Fred Clark and Nancy Nusbaum (joint ads in Green Bay market) $64,625
Dave Hansen $19,734
Total $10.6 million
Republicans and their Allies
Wisconsin Club for Growth $2.6 million
Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce $701,749
Citizens for a Strong America $689,756
Americans for Prosperity $630,000
Wisconsin Family Action $590,172
American Federation for Children $502,905
Republican State Leadership Committee $447,821
Citizens United $234,605
GOPAC $15,000
Alberta Darling $272,545
Dan Kapanke $189,915
Kim Simac $132,131
Sheila Harsdorf $99,414
Rob Cowles $50,441
Luther Olsen $49,153
Total $7.2 million
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Movements in the Capitol
Governor Walker Makes Appointments
This week Governor Walker appointed familiar Capitol faces to three high-level posts. The Governor appointed John Scocos to be the Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) and Jason Johns to serve as the veterans department's Deputy Secretary along with former Democratic State Senator Jeff Plale to be Commissioner of Railroads.
Scocos, who previously served as the department's secretary, served two tours in Iraq as a highly decorated officer and is currently in the United States Army Retired Reserve. While Secretary, Scocos helped guide the passage of the Wisconsin GI Bill and the creation of the Mission Welcome Home Program. Walker said in a statement that he believes Scocos' previous experience will be beneficial as WDVA explores options to improve the solvency of the Veterans Trust Fund and begins operation of a new veteran's nursing home.
Jason Johns is a decorated Iraq War veteran. He voluntarily re-enlisted to serve in Iraq after 9/11. Johns is a Purple Heart recipient from combat related wounds he received during hostile actions in Iraq.
To read the Governor's office press release about the Veteran Affairs Department appointments, click here.
In appointing Plale, the Governor said, "During Plale's tenure in the Wisconsin State Senate, he represented a legislative district with multiple rail lines and businesses that relied heavily on rail service, chaired the Senate Committee on Commerce, Utilities, Energy, and Rail and served on both the Senate and Assembly Transportation Committees. To read the Governor's office press release regarding the Plale appointment, click here.
Majority Leader Fitzgerald Announces New Committee Posts
As a result of the impacts of the recall elections where Senate Republicans lost two seats - Senators Kapanke and Hopper - but still control the Senate by a now slimmer 17 to 16 margin, Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald announced several changes to key committee posts that were previously held by the two defeated Senators.
Sen. Joe Leibham (R-Sheboygan) was appointed chair of the Senate Committee on Economic Development, Veterans and Military Affairs;
Sen. Dale Schultz (R-Richland Center) is now chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Forestry, and Higher Education;
Sen. Glenn Grothman (R-West Bend) has been appointed chair of the Senate Committee on Financial Institutions and Rural Issues; and
Sen. Rich Zipperer (R-Pewaukee) gets a post on the Joint Committee on Finance
To see Fitzgerald's press release announcing the new committee spots, click here. |
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2012 Election Update - Ryan Reiterates Previous Position
This week Wisconsin Congressman Paul Ryan (R-Janesville) again reiterated his position that he would not be running for President in the 2012 election. Speculation that Ryan may be reconsidering his earlier stance that he would not run recently occurred when several leading conservative news outlets wrote glowing articles about Ryan urging him to reconsider and run for President in 2012.
Ryan, who is chair of the House Budget Committee and has represented southern Wisconsin in the Congress since 1998, released the following statement:
"I have not changed my mind. I sincerely appreciate the support from those eager to chart a brighter future for the next generation. While humbled by the encouragement, I have not changed my mind, and therefore I am not seeking our party's nomination for President. I remain hopeful that our party will nominate a candidate committed to a pro-growth agenda of reform that restores the promise and prosperity of our exceptional nation. I remain grateful to those I serve in Southern Wisconsin for the unique opportunity to advance this effort in Congress."
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The Week Ahead
| Aug 30 Tue | Urban and Local Affairs (Assembly)
10:00 AM
300 Northeast | Items: Assembly Bill 178; Assembly Bill 192; Assembly Joint Resolution 46; Senate Bill 18
| Public Hearing |
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| Aug 30 Tue | Transportation (Assembly)
2:00 PM
417 North (GAR Hall) | Items: Assembly Bill 55; Assembly Bill 131; Assembly Bill 152; Assembly Bill 180; Assembly Bill 206
| Public Hearing |
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| Aug 30 Tue | Transportation (Assembly) (Executive Session)
3:00 PM Or upon adjournment of the public hearing
417 North (GAR Hall) | Items: Assembly Bill 80
| Executive Session |
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| Sep 1 Thu | Veterans and Military Affairs (Assembly)
10:00 AM
417 North (GAR Hall) | Items: Assembly Bill 66; Assembly Bill 121
| Public Hearing |
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