A fund set up more than 30 years ago to reduce the influence of special interests on state political campaigns has hit a new low, with less than $200,000 in the account this fall.
Jay Heck of Wisconsin Common Cause says it's the result of a broken system because the state does not do enough to inform taxpayers about the dollar check-off provision on tax forms. He says more people would likely participate in the program if they knew that it helps to prevent special interest groups from spending money on political campaigns.
Less than five-percent of state taxpayers agreed to the dollar check-off this year.
Despite the low levels in the fund, only 26 legislative candidates are taking money from it this year.