Governor Jim Doyle hasn’t even signed a bill providing public financing for state Supreme Court races, and it’s already being challenged. The Virginia-based Center for Competitive Politics has sent a letter to Doyle and legislative leaders explaining concerns that the recently-passed Impartial Justice Act is unconstitutional.
“Groups like this challenge every campaign finance reform that is passed, with the idea of hoping to prevent it from becoming law or immediately challenging it once it becomes law,” said Jay Heck is with Common Cause in Wisconsin, one the organizations which advocated for the legislation.
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The letter also points out that the legislation would not impact the spending of outside groups on so-called “issue ads.” But Heck said that was never the intent of the bill, and he has little doubt that Doyle will sign the measure. “I’d be shocked if for some reason he didn’t sign it,” said Heck. “If he doesn’t, I don’t think it would be because of this letter.”
If the governor does sign the bill into law, it would mean public financing would be available for the 2011 state Supreme Court Race.
