A government watchdog group cites yet another example why fundraising during budget time should be banned.
Jay Heck with Common Cause Wisconsin says Governor Doyle thought it was a bad idea during the 2003 budget cycle, condemning legislators who raised campaign cash during budget deliberations.
But Heck says times have changed. According to Heck's numbers the Governor has raised about a half a million this year alone during budget talks.
Heck says Wisconsin needs to ban budget time fundraising to dispel any perception of pay for play. He says even though the Governor and lawmakers have repeatedly said there is no connection between campaign contributions and policy decisions, many people who attend fund raisers and donate to those campaigns do so hoping to get something favorable in return.
Heck says Minnesota and Texas have enacted such a ban and Wisconsin should too.