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The current election for the Wisconsin Supreme Court is not likely to be the high spending special interest frenzy that the court elections in 2007 and 2008 were. But it is still very nasty and charges continue to fly about how campaign contributions influence the candidates, further eroding public confidence in the impartiality and integrity of Wisconsin's highest court.

In an unprecedented action that shocked Wisconsin and the nation last night, State Senate Republicans voted 18 to 1 to pass the controversial budget repair bill by "stripping" away the monetary elements of the legislation and therefore negating the need for 20 votes to consider the bill. Discussions to plan and accomplish this action were held entirely behind closed doors and out of public view by Republican legislators and Governor Scott Walker on Wednesday before moving to clear their action in Conference Committee and in the State Senate - with only Republican Senators voting.