Wisconsin gubernatorial candidate Tim Michels released a new plan to “drain the Madison swamp” and restore transparency to voters in the state.
According to the GOP hopeful, politicians in the state’s capital have remained subject to ideas and proposals presented by special interest groups, rather than the will of the people.
“The Madison insiders have crafted a system that benefits themselves, at the expense of the people,” said Michels when announcing the plan. “There is too much secrecy and too little transparency. Politicians spend more time making promises to special interest groups instead of crafting good public policy solutions. My blueprint is a plan that will turn Madison upside down and help get Wisconsin back on the right track. This isn’t a Republican or Democrat issue. It’s a Wisconsin issue.”
Specifics of the proposal outline a plan to limit the ability of some individuals to become lobbyists:
- Bans former legislators and senior administration officials from lobbying their former colleagues for two years after they leave their job.
- Prohibits fundraising event sponsorship by PACs controlled by lobbying principals.
- Extends the ban on lobbyist political contributions to June 1st of every election year.
- Ends the lobbyist spousal contribution loophole.
- Imposes greater transparency and reporting requirements for political campaigns and lobbyists, forcing campaigns to submit monthly contribution reports so that donations are not hidden for 6 months at a time.
Since launching his campaign a couple of months ago, Michels has cast himself as a political outsider. The message has seemingly resonated with voters across the state. A recent poll showed the businessman statistically tied with former Lieutenant Governor Rebecca Kleefisch, who has been campaigning for months.
Additionally, former President Donald Trump endorsed Michels, calling him “best candidate to deliver meaningful solutions.”
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Cooper Moran is a reporter for The Wisconsin Daily Star and The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Tim Michels” by Tim Michels. Background Photo “Wisconsin State Capitol” by Vijay Kumar Koulampet. CC BY-SA 3.0.
