A government watchdog group calls 55 state budget items and bills signed into law last session a “special interest smorgasbord.” A report from the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign says these changes, such as tax credits for industries, cost taxpayers $334.5 million or $235 for a family of four, in 2012-2013.
“When people are being asked to expect less, these interest groups are being given more,” says Executive Director Mike McCabe. Other provisions listed included changes to regulatory policy and protections, “benefits that can’t be determined.”
McCabe suggests a play-for-pay situation saying many large campaign donors were rewarded by these changes.