The Legislature held an extraordinary session to push through a series of fast-tracked bills before Gov. Scott Walker leaves office.
Category: Undemocratic: Secrecy and Power vs. The People
This series examines the state of Wisconsin’s democracy in an era of gerrymandering, secret campaign money, restrictive voting laws and legislative maneuvers that weaken the power of regular citizens to influence government. The series was reported by University of Wisconsin-Madison journalism students Cathleen Draper, Nicole Ki, Pawan Naidu, Cameron Smith, Teodor Teofilov and CV Vitolo-Haddad as part of an investigative reporting class led by Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism Managing Editor Dee J. Hall with assistance from Coburn Dukehart, the Center’s digital and multimedia director.
Posted inOpinion, Undemocratic: Secrecy and Power vs. The People
Your Right to Know: Wisconsin lawmakers embrace secrecy, fast-tracking
Many people in Wisconsin feel state government is moving in the wrong direction, away from the citizenry and toward the interests of politicians and their financial backers.
Posted inGovernment, Undemocratic: Secrecy and Power vs. The People
Last-minute surprises and secretive moves hide Wisconsin lawmakers’ actions from public view
Anonymous budget amendments and ‘Body Snatcher’ bills give power to special interests and change the scope of legislation with no chance for public input.
Posted inGovernment, Undemocratic: Secrecy and Power vs. The People
Voter ID linked to lower turnout in Wisconsin, other states; students, people of color, elderly most affected
The Center’s Cameron Smith explores the ways in which residents are dissuaded or prevented from voting by the photo ID requirement, which has been the subject of years of litigation, some of it still pending.
Posted inGovernment, Undemocratic: Secrecy and Power vs. The People
Voter fraud — what voter fraud? Studies contradict photo ID rationale
Voter impersonation — the reason voter ID laws were passed in the first place — has largely been debunked as a pervasive problem in U.S. elections, according to a summary of investigations and studies compiled by the Brennan Center for Justice.
Posted inGovernment, Money & Politics, Undemocratic: Secrecy and Power vs. The People
Secret cash aided politicians who rewrote Wisconsin law to block claims of lead-poisoned children
One advocate calls Wisconsin the ‘darkest of dark money states’ as millions in secret spending flows into races for governor, Legislature and state Supreme Court
Posted inGovernment, Money & Politics, Undemocratic: Secrecy and Power vs. The People
Wisconsin’s campaign finance system: A summary
Wisconsin might not have the most money in its elections, because there are some states with no limits at all on individual campaign contributions. But critics say it is awash in “dark money,” contributions that are not required to be reported to any governmental agency.
Posted inGovernment, Undemocratic: Secrecy and Power vs. The People
After Gov. Scott Walker took office, bills moved faster through the Wisconsin Legislature
An analysis by the Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism shows the proportion of fast-tracked bills shot up to 26 percent in the first session of Walker’s term
Posted inGovernment, Opinion, Undemocratic: Secrecy and Power vs. The People
Why we analyzed the speed of bills in the Wisconsin Legislature and what we learned
This column is a companion to our story revealing that the length of time bills were deliberated dropped significantly soon after Gov. Scott Walker and Republican legislators took control in 2011. In this piece Center managing editor Dee J. Hall explains the origins and methodology of the analysis.
Posted inGovernment, Undemocratic: Secrecy and Power vs. The People
Wisconsin residents see democracy decline, reflecting national discontent with government
Extreme partisanship and approval of legislation despite widespread opposition have left Wisconsin residents feeling increasingly powerless, the Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism has found.
Posted inGovernment, Undemocratic: Secrecy and Power vs. The People
Public, politicians pushing Wisconsin to enact nonpartisan redistricting to strengthen democracy
Most counties have approved resolutions calling for fairer way to redraw electoral districts; does Iowa offer an effective model?
Posted inGovernment, Undemocratic: Secrecy and Power vs. The People
High stakes for elections — and democracy — as U.S. Supreme Court nears decision on Wisconsin redistricting case
Justices consider: When does partisanship cross the line?