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Press Release

August 27, 2007

Contact: Jay Heck - 608/256-2686

Stop Raising Cash Until the 2007-08 State Budget Passes

Last Thursday, Common Cause in Wisconsin characterization of our state as a national joke and embarassment for being the only state in the nation not to have completed work on a spending plan for 2007-08, caught the attention of some newspapers: Wisconsin State Journal, "Failure to pass budget makes state a national joke" (front page headline), radio: Watchdog - fundraising delays budget(audio), and promptedthis editorial in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.  Furthermore, we provoked this defensive and totally inaccurate response from the Republican Party of Wisconsin(pdf).   Contrary to the GOP executive director's assertion, CC/WI takes no position on the budget itself, but rather, we just think the Members of Legislature, Republicans and Democrats alike, eed to complete their primary legislative task -- which is to hammer out a compromise spending blue print for Wisconsin -- and not be raising campaign cash for the next election while that task rermains unfinished.

That is not too much to ask of our elected officials.  Wisconsin is by far the smallest state in the nation with a full-time legislature and there is really no excuse for the legislative leadership not to be meeting all day, every day until they craft the invevitable compromise necessary in split legislaturd to reach an agreement.  And demanding a halt to all campaign fundraising until the budget work is complete -- like Minnesota, Texas and other states do -- is just plain common sense. It's like telling kids that they can't eat the ice cream until they have finished the spinach or broccoli first.

Until the budget is passed and signed into law, the following scheduled campaign fundraising events (and any and all others that have escaped our notice) ought to be cancelled, or postponed:

Wednesday, August 29: 5-7pm: Majority GOP Conduit, Curly's Pub, Lambeau Field Atrium, Green Bay.  Special guests:  Speaker Mike Huebsch, Majority Leader Jeff Fitzgerald, Rep. Phil Montgomery, Senate Leader Scott Fitzgerald.  Host:  Tom Diehl.  $500 gold host.  $250 green host.  $100 to attend.

 

Friday, September 7: 8:30am: State Rep. Jeff Stone Fall Scramble, Whitnall Golf Course, Franklin.  8:30 am: Registration.  9 am:  Shotgun.  $500/foursome.  $150/individual.  Lunch and prizes to follow.

 

Wednesday, September 12: 5:30 pm:  Celebrate the start of fall on the banks of Pewaukee Lake with Senator Neal Kedzie, home of Jim and Shirley Klauser, W281 N3416 Taylors Woods Rd, Pewaukee.  Host levels:  $500 & $250.  General attendees:  $50 per person.  PAC, conduit, personal are all acceptable. 

 

5:30-7 pm:  Corn Roast for JB Van Hollen, Wisconsin Attorney General, home of Bob and Jean Dohnal, 11324 W. Potter Rd, Wauwatosa.  Available sponsorship levels:  Golf sponsor: $250.  Silver sponsor: $150.  Bronze sponsor: $75.  Host names are due by Thursday, August 23.  Suggested contributions for general attendance: $25.

 

Thursday, September 13: Noon:  Rep. Scott Gunderson's 8th Annual Gundy Open, Rivermoor Country Club, Waterford.  Shotgun start at noon (later tee times available).  5-6:30 pm:  Reception.  Golf and Contribution:  $125.  Hole sponsorship:  $250.

 

Monday, September 17: 10:30 am:  3rd Annual Senate Republican Golf Outing (CERS), University Ridge, Madison.  Special guests:  Wisconsin Republican State Senators.  Shotgun start:  10:30 am.  Dinner Reception: 4-6 pm.  $4,000 hole sponsorship and foursome - golfing with a senator option available.  $1,000 per individual golfer, includes golf, cart, lunch, dinner, yardage guide and balls.  $250 for reception only - no golf. PAC, conduit and individual contributions accepted. 

 

Monday, September 24; 11 am:  RACC at the Trap, Trappers Turn Golf Course, Wisconsin Dells.  Registration:  11 am/box lunch.  Shot Gun Start:  Noon sharp.  Cocktails:  5:30-6:30 pm.  Dinner: 6:30 pm.  $1,000 per individual golfer.  $3,000 hole sponsorship (three rounds of golf, legislator 4th, sign on hole).  Limited PAC room available.  Conduit and individual contributions always appreciated.

 

Tuesday, September 25: 5-7 pm:  Kickoff Fundraiser for Sheldon Wasserman for State Senate, lakefront home of Bonnie and Leon Joseph, 8130 N. Beach Dr, Fox Point.  Hors d'oeuvres and drinks will be served.  Suggested minimum contribution: $100.  All contributions gratefully accepted.  Sponsorships:  $1000 lead sponsor.  $500 supporter.  $250 friend.  Sorry, no PAC or corporate contributions.

 

Wednesday, September 26:  Third Annual Ted Kanavas Milwaukee Bash. Details forthcoming.  Hosts:  $500/$250/$100.

 

Thursday, September 27: 5:30 pm:  Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker and Sen. Alberta Darling, home of Brett and Lindsay Gardner, 7953 N. Range Line Rd, River Hills.  Host amounts:  $200 or $100.  General attendees:  $75/couple, $40/person.  Please no PAC. 

 

And, if the budget has not been enacted by the end of Septemeber, then these scheduled events need to be cancelled or postponed:

Tuesday, October 2: 11 am:  Senator Darling Seventh Annual Golf Classic, The Bog, 3121 County Highway I, Saukville. 11 am:  Registration.  Noon:  Shotgun start.  5 pm:  Reception.  $500 Golf and Reception.  $100 Reception Only.  $2000 Hole sponsorship.  Registration:  Please return by Thursday, September 27.  Hole sponsorships are due Tuesday, September 25, Personal or conduit checks are welcome. No PAC.

 

Thursday, October 4: 5-6:30 pm:  A Cocktail Reception in Support on the State Senate Democratic Committee, Carnevor Steakhouse Moderne, 724 N. Milwaukee St, Milwaukee.  Special guest:  Governor Jim Doyle.  Other Special Guests: Sens. Robson, Decker, Taylor, Sullivan, Plale, Coggs and Carpenter.  Valet parking in front.  Fine hors d'oeuvres from this award winning restaurant will be served.  Suggested minimum contribution:  $100.  Sponsorships;  $2500 (includes premier signage, four guests at main event and one spot at post-event dinner.. $1000 (includes signage at the event and four guests at main event.  $500 (includes signage and two guests.  $250 (includes signage and one guest)  Special post-event private dinner opportunity with Senate Majority Leader Robson and Senator Plale from 6:30-7:30 pm.  You will dine on fine steaks or seafood and a wine pairing.  Limited to 6 people.  $400 per person.  Sorry, no PAC or corporate contributions please. 

 

Our message to Wisconsin elected officials is a simple one: Complete the business of the citizens of this state before embarking on your personal political business!