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Democratic Radio: "Combating Corruption and Cronyism" PDF Print E-mail
News - Media for State & Local
Written by Wisconsin Assembly Democrats   
Thursday, 01 October 2015 09:45

fred-kesslerMADISON - Today Rep. Fred Kessler (D-Milwaukee) offered the Democratic Weekly Radio Address. The topic this week is Assembly Democrats announcing new steps to combat a Republican agenda that will make it easier for political corruption in Wisconsin.

"Whether they’re trying to dismantle Wisconsin’s open records laws, decimate our state’s civil service system, eliminate the state’s non-partisan government watchdog or interfere with the investigation and prosecution of political crimes, Republicans are opening the door for cronyism and corruption in our government," Rep. Kessler said. "Democrats are committed to making sure that does not happen. With our proposed reforms, Democrats are sending a clear message – lawmakers should not be above the law in Wisconsin."

The audio file of this week’s address can be found here and a video version can be viewed here, and below.

Published on Sep 30, 2015

A written transcript of the address is below:

"When one political party controls the Governorship, both houses of the Legislature, and a majority on the state Supreme Court, it can become arrogant – thinking it is above the law or can ignore the public and change the oversight required to pursue fairness in a democracy.

"Unfortunately, that is exactly what Governor Walker and the Republican legislature are doing now. Whether they’re trying to dismantle Wisconsin’s open records laws…decimate our state’s civil service system…eliminate the state’s non-partisan government watchdog…or interfere with the investigation and prosecution of political crimes, Republicans are opening the door for cronyism and corruption in our government.

"Democrats are committed to making sure that does not happen. This week we offered several solutions that would combat political corruption in Wisconsin.

"We want to make open records access a right for citizens under our state constitution. We want to require public disclosure of contributors to advocacy organizations. We want to end the special privileges of elected officials and prevent new ones. We want to require judges to recuse themselves from cases involving donors to their campaigns.

"In addition, Democrats believe our civil service system, John Doe laws and non-partisan government watchdog must be strengthened – not dismantled for partisan gain.

"We are ready to do everything possible to stop cronyism and corruption in Wisconsin. With our proposed reforms, Democrats are sending a clear message – lawmakers should not be above the law in Wisconsin."

Last Updated on Thursday, 01 October 2015 10:08
 
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