The Wisconsin Senate passed a package of public financing for state Supreme Court elections on on a bipartisan vote this week. and the head of a political watchdog group says it's now up to Assembly leadership to schedule a vote in that chamber.
The state is in a financial bind, but Jay Heck with Common Cause insists public financing for state Supreme Court races would be "a drop in the bucket" — perhaps $2.5 million annually in general purpose revenue. Heck characterizes the current system of state Supreme Court elections as "untenable."
The debate over public financing is taking place as the race between Justice Louis Butler and Judge Michael Gabelman heats up.
