Contact: Jay Heck
608/256-2686 (office)
608/512-9363 (cell)
Common Cause in Wisconsin Reform Update
Tuesday January 27, 2015
1. Opposition Mounts to Partisan Attack on Non-Partisan G.A.B.
2. Partisan Anti-Abrahamson Measure Advances to April Ballot
3. Reform Groups to Lay out Our Democracy 2020 Agenda
4. Wisconsin Association of Retired Americans Seeking Common Cause Member
for its Board
1. Shortly after last November's elections, Wisconsin Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) and State

CC/WI and others have denounced this transparently obvious partisan attack and the rationale for trying to destroy an entity that was established in 2008 and passed with almost unanimous bi-partisan support in January, 2007 (with support of Vos and Fitzgerald) and was purposely created to be non-partisan and independent. It is shocking that Vos, Fitzgerald and other Republican legislators would try to make the G.A.B. more partisan and less independent, given the rationale for creating it. And two retired judges currently serving on the G.A.B. and one who served on the G.A.B. for six years, but is now no longer doing so, have all made powerful arguments for leaving the G.A.B as is. These powerful statements from current G.A.B. chair Gerald Nichol, Thomas Barland and Michael Brennan ought to carry enormous weight in this battle with Vos and Fitzgerald. Please read them!
The Wisconsin State Journal, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and other Wisconsin newspaper editorials have denounced the partisan attacks on the G.A.B. – as have other good government organizations such as the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Voices and others who have joined CC/WI in calling for protecting the integrity of the G.A.B. You can and should add your own voice by contacting both your State Senator and your State Representative and telling them that you support the G.A.B. as it is – non-partisan and independent!
2. Along partisan political party lines, the Wisconsin State Senate and Assembly

CC/WI opposed this measure and testified against it at a public hearing in the Capitol. If you would like to watch/listen to the entire public hearing, go here (CC/WI's testimony is in Part 1 at 1:59:20). This measure will be on the April ballot statewide – which also features the State Supreme Court election between incumbent Justice Ann Walsh Bradley and challenger, Judge James Daley of Rock County. CC/WI urges a vote against the question. We do not endorse candidates for public office and so have no position in the Bradley-Daley contest.

On Wednesday, this coalition will launch its "Our Democracy 2020" Initiative in a press conference in the State Capitol at 10:00 AM in the Assembly Parlor. CC/WI Director Jay Heck will speak about why Wisconsin needs to end partisan gerrymandering and enact non-partisan redistricting reform legislation before the next redistricting process occurs in 2021.
4. For many years, CC/WI has worked with the Wisconsin Alliance for Retired Americans in promoting political reform, particularly in helping to boost attendance at the many "reform forums" CC/WI

If you are interested or want more information, please contact WIARA executive director Billy Feitlinger by email or by phone at 414-771-9511.

CONTACT:
Jay Heck
608/256-2686 (office)
608/512-9363 (cell)
Jay Heck, Executive Director
Common Cause in Wisconsin
152 W. Johnson St., Suite 212
Madison, WI 53703
608/256-2686
Want Good Government?
Join Common Cause in Wisconsin!
www.CommonCauseWisconsin.org


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