Bies and Gard Oppose and Prevent Wisconsin Ethics Reform Legislation

I recently wrote to our Wisconsin District 1, Republican Assemblyman, Garey Bies asking him to support Senate Bill 1 (SB 1) that would reform political ethics oversight in our state. The bill would eliminate the state Elections Board and the Ethics Board (whose members are partisan political appointees), and create instead a politically independent and non partisan Government Accountability Board empowered with investigative and prosecution authority.

This bill would require that ethical misconduct committed by elected government representatives be investigated and prosecuted, if warranted, without political interference. Present ethical violations are often sidetracked by partisan actions in the government and appointed partisan boards. The new law, if enacted, would result in a fully transparent responsibility for ethics enforcement.

The Republican-controlled Wisconsin State Senate voted overwhelmingly (28-5) for the bill late last year. It then went to the Assembly where John Gard, the Republican Leader of the Republican dominated state Assembly, prevented the bill from being voted on by the state Assembly. The Republican controlled Rules Committee, commandeered by John Gard, refused to allow a vote. I had hoped to ask state Rep. John Gard why he opposed a vote at the Congressional Candidates Forum held in Sturgeon Bay on May 10, 2006. John Gard , who aspires to be our next Congressman was a no show (the only candidate who did not show up), so I was unable to ask him. He has never publicly explained why he refused to allow an Assembly vote on SB 1.

Rep. Garey Bies, however, did respond to my letter to explain his opposition. His letter dated May 9, 2006 included the following explanation: "I know that you are disappointed that the Assembly did not take up SB1, but I wanted to send you this letter to let you know a bit about why. While Senate Bill 1 was passed by the Senate with bi-partisan support, the legislation was amended by the Assembly Campaign and Elections Committee when it was referred there. It was this amendment that caused support for the legislation to fail. The amendment modified the bill causing the reporting requirements apply to essentially all local officials, both elected and appointed." He went on to write; "While I did not support SB 1 because of the effect it would have on local government that does not mean I do not support campaign finance reform." Before commenting on Rep. Bies's letter, I thank him very much for his response.

Now, let's get into the nitty-gritty. Rep. Bies can oppose the proposed ethics reform bill for any reason he chooses. That is not the issue. He and his leader, Rep. John Gard, were opposed to, and prevented, the bill from going to the Assembly for a vote. Any side issue is irrelevant. Furthermore, Rep. Bies knows that the amendment could have been withdrawn by the Republican-controlled Assembly Campaign and Elections Committee, had John Gard so ordered. He did not do this to allow Republicans, like Rep. Bies, some cover (as phony as it is) to try to deceive their constituents. Come on Rep. Bies, fess up to your ploy, and also ask your leader, aspiring Congressional candidate John Gard, to explain his stonewalling of state ethics reform. You both owe it to your constituents and voters.

--
Zeep