Senator Calls for Ending the Requirement that Campaign Contributors Disclose Their Employers
MacIver News Service | September 29, 2011
[Madison, Wisc…] State Senator Glenn Grothman says he’s had it with the political intimidation of the left-wing, union activists in Wisconsin.Grothman (R-West Bend) wants to end the requirement that campaign contributors disclose their employer if they contribute in excess of $100 to a candidate for public office. He believes the current law leaves employers vulnerable to protests, boycotts and other acts of retribution for the political activity and free exercise of speech engaged by their employees.
Sen. Grothman
“As bad as it is, the desire of top level union bosses and elected politicians to destroy Wisconsin businesses who employ Republicans is only part of what offends me,” said Grothman. “Even if we didn’t have unemployment in this state, would we really want to live in a Cuban/Soviet-style environment where the government employees try to punish anyone who has a political view outside the politically correct flavor of the day?”
Originally, Grothman said, the campaign finance disclosure practice was designed to provide information regarding the type of people supporting different candidates. Now, he asserts, it merely creates a ‘to do list’ for those who exercise in economic intimidation.
“It is apparent that we will have to take this step in putting forth this legislation for the same reason we have a secret ballot when we vote,” added Grothman. “There are some narrow-minded and mean-spirited members of Wisconsin’s Totalitarian Left that will do all they can to destroy those who disagree with them.”
Grothman notes that this year the Wisconsin Professional Police Association, the Wisconsin Firefighters Association and a variety of local teachers’ unions, have tried to use the massive purchasing power of public workers to harass and boycott Wisconsin businesses that hire Republican employee.
He says the practice became even more troublesome this month when high-ranking State Senator Lena Taylor (D-Milwaukee) aggressively opposed Georgia-Pacific and encouraging a boycott of their products.
According to the company’s website, Georgia-Pacific (GP) employs about 2,300 people in Green Bay, Neenah, Oshkosh, Phillips, and Sheboygan.. Approximately 1,800 employees work at one of four manufacturing facilities and produce and distribute an array of commercial and retail brands of bath tissue, napkins, towels and other paper products.
The Senator’s boycott campaign could have far-reaching impact. Taylor is a prominent Wisconsin Democrat who makes frequent speeches across the country and has more than 7,500 friends on the popular social networking site and many of her online friends piled on with supportive comments to her post.
Despite Grothman’s earlier pleas, Senate Minority Leader Mark Miller (D-Madison) has yet to admonish Senator Taylor and continues to keep her on the budget-writing Joint Finance Committee, widely regarded as the most powerful legislative committee in the nation.