Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Taking the Message of Political Reform Around Wisconsin



Common Cause in Wisconsin Reform Update - October 26, 2011

On the road again to...
  1. Wausau
  2. Milwaukee
  3. Oshkosh
While the Governor and the Legislature are in Madison putting the finishing touches on passing legislation to reform -- or deform -- Wisconsin on issues ranging from money in elections to voting rights, the real discussion and work on these issues occurs in communities throughout the state with the citizens who must bear the real-life consequences of the lawmakers' actions or inaction.

Common Cause in Wisconsin has been traveling around the Badger state for years to get the word out about the need for political reform. We do not just "preach to the choir" of people who already agree with us, but rather try to engage with citizens and legislators of all points of view to make our case.



1. This past Monday evening, CC/WI organized another public forum -- this time in Wausau -- in a long sequence of similar events over the past five years entitled "What Ever Happened to Good Government in Wisconsin -- And How Can We Fix it?" More than 150 citizens attended the forum at the University of Wisconsin - Marathon County and panelists included State Representative Donna Seidel (D-Wausau), former State Senator Walter John Chilsen (R-Wausau), Kevin Hermening, the former Chair of the Marathon County Republican Party and legislative candidate, UW-Marathon County Political Science Professor Eric Giordano and CC/WI Director Jay Heck. The panel discussion and lively audience participation was moderated by Rob Mentzer, the editorial page editor of the Wausau Daily Herald.

An article that included the following video highlights of the event appeared in the Wausau Daily Herald



The Herald also ran this article in the form of questions of and answers from Jay Heck about political reform issues. and this editorial about the forum.



2. Tomorrow, Thursday - October 27th, Jay Heck will be in Milwaukee as part of a panel to discuss whether or not it is time to replace elections for the Wisconsin Supreme Court with a merit selection process in the wake of three very nasty and expensive state supreme court elections in the last five years. The event is free and open to the public and more details can be found here (Scroll down to October 27th program).



3. On Monday evening, November 7th, another CC/WI forum is scheduled at the University of Wisconsin at Oshkosh with a program similar to the Wausau gathering. In addition to Jay Heck, panelists will include newly elected State Senator Jessica King (D-Oshkosh), State Representative Richard Spanbauer (R-Oshkosh), State Representative Gordon Hintz (D-Oshkosh), UW-Oshkosh Communications Professor Tony Palmeri and UW-Oshkosh Political Science Professor James Simmons. More details can be found here.

Turn out and attend the nearest CC/WI reform gathering of your choice and make your voice heard!



Jay Heck, Executive Director
Common Cause in Wisconsin
152 W. Johnson St., Suite 212
Madison, WI 53703
608/256-2686

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- Revised 11/6/2011



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