I was about to go ballistic when I read that Walker's budget would eliminate the opportunity for publically-funded elections (1) because loss of such public input opens the way for more large corporate, PAC (special interest groups called Political Action Committees) donations. But then I read that the system is little used, and often viewed by its critics as pretty much useless. (4) Under the current Wisconsin Election Campaign Fund (WECF), public candidates that agree to certain restrictions on spending limits may be eligible for matching grants from the state (via the little $1 donation box you probably didn't check on your tax return) to help fund their campaigns. Wisconsin government explains it thusly: Consequently, every dollar from the WECF grant means forfeiting a dollar from PACs. (2)
But what's the problem here? Unfortunately, the fund rules could use a major revision. Some studies show not many candidates are willing to follow the regulations to qualify for the grants, spending limits have not been updated since 1986, fewer taxpayer participants have inadequately funded the program, and the introduction of "issue ads" in 1996--which are essentially PACs that don't explicitly endorse a candidate, but rather endorse "hot-button" issues closely identified with a candidate or party platform--have flooded the media, not counting against a candidate's spending. (3)
So, what does this mean? It means the system is broken. Should it be discarded? No, not if it truly keeps the special interests from unfairly promoting a candidate, from buying an election.
Should it be changed? Absolutely. Spending limits should be raised, the value of checking the voluntary tax form contribution should be promoted, and most of all, "issue ads" should be somehow limited, if possible (yes, even the "union busting" ads, despite being true, in my opinion).
We may not feel the effect of this loss right away, but not making changes in such a program will result in a terrifying future for Wisconsin, bought and paid for by special interest groups.
And I think we're getting awfully close to that point already.
(1) Budget Defunds Elections, JS Online, http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/118749889.html
(2) WECF, WI Dept of Revenue, http://www.revenue.wi.gov/faqs/ise/wecf-dtf.html
(3) Campaign Finance in WI, Brennan Ctr for Justice Report, http://www.policyarchive.org/handle/10207/bitstreams/8757.pdf
(4) Anatomy of a Failed Idea, WI Interest, http://www.wpri.org/WIInterest/Vol18No3/Nichols18.3.html
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