Saturday, November 9, 2013

What Happened To Scott Walker's State Ethics Reform Plan?

In case you didn't see it on his official 2006 gubernatorial campaign website (copy before it goes away to Error Message 404-land, such as here in paragraph two), or in a Walker news release before he quit that campaign, and wonder if it applied in his 2010 or 2012 campaigns, in the county executives office, or in the current administration...here it is:

Ethics Reform Plan

Walker:

Proposes Wisconsin Ethics System Overhaul  


Citing government ethics as one of the greatest challenges to Wisconsin's democracy, Milwaukee County Executive and Candidate for Governor Scott Walker today released his comprehensive ethics reform plan. Walker's plan calls for a major overhaul of Wisconsin's failing system to restore integrity to our state's government.

"During my 100-Day agenda tour I outlined ethical reforms that could be implemented without legislation," said Walker.

 "Today's plan is far more comprehensive and will not only require the assistance of the legislature, but also the people of Wisconsin to step forward to make it happen."

Key highlights of the Walker ethics reform plan include:
  • Prohibit political campaign contributions until the state budget is signed into law 
  • Five year ban on paid lobbying of the agency an individual worked in for all
    members of the administration, Legislature and legislative staff 
  • Term limits on all state offices of no more than 12 years
    • 3 terms for Governor, Treasurer, Secretary of State, and Attorney General 
    • 3 terms for State Senate 
    • 6 terms for State Assembly 
  •  Return to a part-time legislature
"The culture of government has destroyed the integrity and the idea of public service," said Walker.

"My plan seeks to restore the public trust, and instill the confidence that our elected leaders are working for the people," Walker added.

Walker cited the revolving door of professional politician to professional lobbyist and the undue influence of campaign cash as one of the most glaring problems in government today.


While campaigning around Wisconsin, Scott makes it a point to listen to people's thoughts on the future direction of our great state.
Wisconsin is one of 11 states that is considered to have a truly "full-time" legislature, and one of only 6 states that is always "in session" for the full two-year cycle.

Most states have a defined time period for the regular legislative session, and these sessions are always shorter than two years.

Walker conceded that many of these proposals may not be received warmly in Madison. However, he invites everyone to listen to the people and offer their own proposals to restore the integrity of Wisconsin's government.

"Re-instilling the people's trust in our public institutions will be a top priority for my
administration," said Walker.

"I believe this plan begins this process and I look forward to discussing my proposals in the coming months of this campaign."

REFORM PLAN

  • All appointed employees will be prohibited from contributing to Scott Walker's campaign committee. (100 Day Agenda and Walker's current policy in county government) 
  • All appointed employees will be prohibited from organizing or participating in fundraising for Scott Walker's campaign committee. (100 Day Agenda and Walker's current policy in county government) 
  • Scott Walker will not accept any campaign contributions (from any source) from the time he takes office (January 3, 2007) until the state budget is signed into law.  (100 Day Agenda) 
  • Scott Walker will call on Legislative leaders to enact a similar policy for all elected state officials. (100 Day Agenda) 
  • Scott Walker will push legislation that prohibits contributions to his campaign from firms that are seeking to do business with the state while the contracts are being bid and awarded. (Walker's current policy in county government) 
  • Scott Walker will require every member of his administration to attend ethics training every two years to ensure that all executive staff members are aware of ethics standards and laws 
  • Scott Walker proposes a five year ban on paid lobbying of the agency they worked in for all members of the administration, Legislature and legislative staff.   
  • Scott Walker will push legislation to combine the State Elections Board and the State Ethics Board 
  • Scott Walker will call for legislation to prohibit state candidates from accepting political contributions from the owners, operators or managers of casinos and racetracks. (Walker proposed similar legislation in 1997 and 1999) 
  • Scott Walker will propose legislation to prohibit closed caucus meetings and to require that all votes in Legislative committees take place in public. 
  • Scott Walker will push for term limits on all state offices of no more than 12 years (3 terms for Governor, other constitutional officers and State Senate and 6 for State Assembly). 
  • Scott Walker will push for a return to a part-time Legislature.  
  • Scott Walker will propose legislation to prohibit the transfer of funds from federal campaign accounts to state campaign accounts.









Authorized and Paid for by Friends of Scott Walker, John Hiller, treasurer. Banners designed by Mark Curnes: info@markcurnesdesign.com

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Me thinks the Governator lies, especially when in campaign mode.....which is all the time!

CC said...

Wow, what great catch here. Is there ANYTHING on his ethics list that he HASN'T violated? I certainly can't think of one.

zombie rotten mcdonald said...

"What Happened To Scott Walker's State Ethics Reform Plan?"

The budget for the Plan was embezzled by a Walker appointee.

Jake formerly of the LP said...

That ethics plan was never intended to be a factual statement.

Jonathan Swift said...

It was a solution to a problem that didn't exist until he created one. He has in fact turned Wisconsin around from a state highly respected nationally for clean government to one where the governor's office is open for pay to play business and the state legislative bodies are an embarrassment. Ethic reform: simple vote the bums out!