Robin Vos Appends His Legislative To-Do List

                                                       

Rep. Robin Vos wants to revisit the voter ID law; opponents wonder 'what now?'  (Capital Times, 12/4/2012)

Incoming Senate leader favors political appointees over judges on GAB. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 12/3/2012)

Excerpt:  Incoming Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) said in a statement that he was willing to consider changes to the accountability board, though he did not respond directly to Fitzgerald's proposal. 

"Many people have expressed their concerns to me about how the GAB operates," Vos said in his statement. "I'm open to suggestions about ways to improve the process."

Vos's recent history with GAB

• Complaint Filed with GAB Against Vos's Estranged Wife Heading to Racine District Attorney.  (PoliticScoop, 9/27/2012)
• GAB official says lawmaker's wife's situation not unique.  (WKOW, 8/24/2012)

In the News: Wisconsin's Government Accountability Board at a Glance

What follows is an outline of the Wisconsin Legislative Council Act Memo on the Government Accountability Board (GAB).

Creation

• 2007 Wisconsin Act 1.
• Passed by the Assembly 97-2.
• Passed by the Senate 33-0.
• Replaces Ethics Board and Elections Board, both created in 1974
• Responsible for administering the state's  election, campaign financing, ethics, and lobbying laws.

Membership

• Six members who have served as an elected judge of a court of record in Wisconsin.
• 6-year terms of service.  (Initial appointees served staggered terms)  
• Action by the GAB requires the affirmative vote of at least four members.

What GAB members may not do

• Hold another state or local public office
• Engage in specified partisan political activities
• Become a candidate for state or local elective office
• Make political contributions
• Be a lobbyist or an employee of a person who employs a lobbyist.

Nomination process

• Government Accountability Candidate Committee (created by 2007 WI Act 1\
• Membership:  1 court of appeals judge from each of the four court of appeals districts
• Selection process:   Chosen by lot by  the Chief Justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court in the presence of the other supreme court justices
• Initially, i.e., in 2007, the Committee was required to submit at least 8 names to the Governor.  (This process is explained in more detail in the first full paragraph on page 2 of the Leg Council memo.)
• Subsequently, the Committee meets to fill a vacancy.  (See second full paragraph on page 2 of memo for specifics.)
• "Judges picked to serve on Accountability Candidate Committee".  (Wisconsin Law Journal, 2/23/2011)
• Current membership.  (Two members' terms expire on May 1, 2013)

GAB Divisions/Duties

• Ethics and Accountability Division administers campaign financing, lobbying, and ethics laws.
• Elections Division has responsibility for the administration of election laws.

GAB in the news

• GOP Senate leader Fitzgerald wants to change elections board.  (Wisconsin State Journal, 12/4/2012)
• Fitzgerald GAB critique draws fire.  (Wisconsin Radio Network, 12/4/2012)
• Editorial: Political appointees wrong for Wisconsin's Government Accountability Board.  (Appleton Post-Crescent, 12/3/2012)
• Incoming Senate leader favors political appointees over judges on GAB.  (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 12/3/2012)

School Administrators Alliance Endorses Tony Evers for State Superintendent

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The School Administrators Alliance (SAA) is a statewide organization established to provide four associations of public school administrators with government relations services and a unified political voice.

The SAA is an alliance of:

• Association of Wisconsin School Administrators (AWSA) 
• Wisconsin Association of School Business Officials (WASBO) 
• Wisconsin Association of School District Administrators (WASDA) 
• Wisconsin Council of Administrators of Special Services (WCASS)

Tony Evers for State Superintendent