Senator Mike Ellis is not liking the direction of ethics reform. He's got the reputation as a leading advocate for ethics reform at the Capitol, but the Neenah Republican doesn't care for the bill that's now coming together in a special session of the legislature. "This version . . puts politicians interests ahead of the peoples' right to be protected from bad conduct," said Ellis.
Chief among Ellis' complaints, a provision which allows only the district attorneys in the home counties of those accused of wrongdoing to prosecute crimes. He likened that to robbing a bank in one community, but going to trial for that robbery in the community where you live. During a committee hearing on Tuesday, Ellis tried to amend the bill to allow a new Government Accountability Board and the state attorney general to also have authority to investigate and prosecute violations, but his amendment failed.