Special session legislation on campaign finance reform is finally up for a legislative hearing.
Governor Doyle called lawmakers into special session late last year to take up the package, but lawmakers asked for more time. At long last, Jay Heck with Common Cause in Wisconsin says the bill gets a hearing today.
Heck says the bill provides several needed reforms for campaign financing, such as imposing spending limits, banning fundraising during the budget process, and eliminating legislative campaign committees.
Heck expects the bill to quickly pass out of the state Senate, but whether or not there's enough time for the Assembly to take it up is a concern. The Assembly has limited floor sessions left before they adjourn in mid-March. However, Heck hopes Republicans will want to avoid being known in an election year as the party that blocked reform.