Members of the state Assembly would be banned from fundraising activities during debate on the biennial budget, under a measure approved by a leadership committee on Wednesday.
Assembly Speaker Mike Sheridan (D-Janesville) says the move is a matter of restoring public confidence.
The Assembly Organization Committee, which includes leaders for majority Democrats and minority Republicans, voted unanimously for the rule change.
However, Republicans pointed out a state statute that carried penalties for violations would have "more teeth" than an Assembly rule, which has no penalties. The rule also has no effect on state Senators or the governor, who can continue to raise funds during the budget debate.
AUDIO: John Colbert reports (MP3 :38)
