Issue ad loophole closed in Wisconsin

Wisconsin’s Government Accountability Board approved new rules that require corporations and interest groups to register as political committees, place disclaimers on their advertising and report their spending and fundraising. Previously, special interest groups have exploited “issue ads” to avoid disclosure of election-related activity and operate outside the state’s campaign finance laws.

According to the Daily Cardinal, executive director of the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign Mike McCabe said the board is trying to make the best of a “disastrous”  federal ruling and hold corporations accountable as much as possible.

“[The board’s steps] are very important countermeasures to the Supreme Court ruling, and it helps repair some of the damage that was done,” McCabe said to the Daily Cardinal.

Mike Wittenwyler, an attorney working with groups that run political advertisements, criticized phrasing the issue as a “loophole,” and said the board did nothing to prevent groups from getting their message out.

“[‘Loophole’] is a fascinating way to describe people speaking up on issues they care about, that it’s a loophole that we have the First Amendment,” Wittenwyler said to the Daily Cardinal.

The legislature now has 30 days to object to the rule. If lawmakers do not block the rule, it will go into effect the next month.

WDC applauds all six members of the board for taking the initiative on this sorely needed countermeasure to the Citizens United ruling.

Wisconsin abandons enforcement of ban on corporate campaign spending - Journal Sentinel Online