In Wis. recalls, union is dirty word on both sides

Tracking pro-mining cash gets dicey

Published: February 8, 2013
Tags: Alberta Darling, Bill Lueders, Mike McCabe, mining, Sandy Pasch, Tom Tiffany
Comments: 1

About 12 hours into the Jan. 23 state legislative hearing on a proposed bill to revamp the state’s metallic mining laws, a citizen who’d waited all day gave some unwelcome testimony.

Walker backs transparency, in theory

Published: December 28, 2012
Tags: Bill Lueders, Mike McCabe, PAC, Scott Walker

Scott Walker isn’t anybody’s idea of a champion of campaign finance reform. He was elected governor in 2010 after outspending the competition in what was then the costliest statewide race in Wisconsin history, at $37.4 million. That record was shattered in this year’s recall election, when an estimated $81 million was spent, including $36 million by Walker’s own campaign.

Groups eye redistricting reforms

Published: December 7, 2012
Tags: Bill Luders, Dale Schultz, Mike McCabe, Tim Cullen, Wisconsin Democracy Campaign

The Wisconsin Government Accountability Board’s Nov. 29 certification of the official results of the Nov. 6 election made it, well, official: Democratic candidates got more votes than Republicans in state races for president, U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, state Senate and state Assembly.

Realtors gave $1M to state Club for Growth

Published: August 31, 2012
Tags: Club for Wisconsin Growth, Mike McCabe, realtors, Scott Walker, Wisconsin Realtors Association

The Wisconsin Realtors Association funneled more than $1 million to a conservative group engaged in political advocacy, against the wishes of some members whose dues paid for the contribution.

Winners and losers in recall 2012

Published: June 8, 2012
Tags: Bill Lueders, Mike McCabe, recall, Scott Walker, Tom Barrett

As the dust settles on Wisconsin’s tumultuous recall elections, let’s acknowledge some of the winners and losers.

Yes, we have no super PACs

Published: June 1, 2012
Tags: Bill Lueders, Mike McCabe, recall, Scott Walker

The other day a reporter from Swedish Public Television contacted the Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism regarding the role of super PACs in Wisconsin’s historic recall elections.

Republicans greet Walker as hero

Published: April 18, 2012
Tags: American International Group, Bob Emery, Bob Perry, Dan Blum, David Holt, Devon Energy Corp., Foster Friess, Gov. Scott Walker, Grover Norquist, Hank Greenberg, Harlon B. Carter Legislative Achievement Award, Heritage Foundation, Koch Industries, Michael Bidwill, Mike McCabe, National Rifle Association, recall, Reince Priebus, Republican National Committee, Republican Party, Sam Brownback, Scott Walker, Swift Boat Veterans, Wisconsin Democracy Campaign

The preacher’s son laughed and joked as he took a seat among the biggest players in Oklahoma politics, some of whom paid $10,000 to break bread with their conservative hero and get a photo snapped.

State’s contract spending transparency still lacking

Published: March 13, 2012
Tags: Bruce Speight, contracts, Mike Ellis, Mike Huebsch, Mike McCabe, Rob Cowles, Scott Walker, Wisconsin Public Interest Research Group, Wispirg

Wisconsin residents have waited a long time to get a good look at the state’s checkbook.

Walker vows vigorous recall defense

Published: November 16, 2011
Tags: collective bargaining, Mike McCabe, recall, Scott Walker, unions

By Scott Bauer Associated Press Madison — Gov. Scott Walker said Wednesday he had fulfilled his campaign promises and would raise and spend as much money as it took to defend himself in the recall effort launched against him this week. “The bottom line is I did what I said I would do a year [...]