MADISON, WI (WTAQ) – The Wisconsin Senate has given its approval to legislation which would shut down the state board which oversees elections and enforces ethics laws.
The Government Accountability Board is led by six judges. The action, passed on a party-line 18-14 vote, was taken in a late night session Friday.
Republicans were upset by what they called a political witch hunt when the GAB played a role in the investigation of Governor Scott Walker’s campaign and the conservative groups which backed him during the recall in 2012.
The Wisconsin Supreme Court stopped the investigation last summer.
Also, the Senate narrowly approved overhauling Wisconsin’s campaign finance laws. The measure passed 17-15, with Allouez Republican Rob Cowles joining Democrats in voting no.
This bill allows people to make campaign donations without disclosing who they work for.
In a statement released to the media, Cowles said he voted against the bill because it doubled maximum limits on donations and did away with the employer disclosure.
Both bills now head to the Wisconsin Assembly for a final vote on passage.
(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)
