Money in Politics Affects Your Life -- A Case for the Environment

Why be concerned about the role of money in politics?

Campaign finance reform is a key issue impacting environmental policy. As we track the flow of money in politics, we better understand the significant connections between political contributions and their influence on all other issues we care so deeply about. Big-spending special interests and their campaign contributions muzzle our voices and opinions, resulting in a legislative agenda that no longer serves the public’s interests.

Consider the impact of campaign contributions on Wisconsin’s natural resources and environment.

• Political contributions from polluting industries and other powerful business interests overwhelmingly go to lawmakers opposed to stronger environmental laws.
  
• Gutting regulations that protect public health, lakes and rivers benefit special interests that make large campaign contributions to state policy makers at the expense of taxpayers.

Our state lawmakers have nothing to gain from reforming a system that currently favors incumbents. Substantive campaign and ethics reforms were nowhere to be found on the Legislature's agenda in 2003. Legislators have conveniently forgotten that 90 percent of voters in a 2000 statewide referendum said they want campaign reform.

Campaign contributions do have an impact on the issues you care about. To find out more about campaign finance issues and how you can get involved in working for reform, please contact or visit the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign . WDC is a nonpartisan political coalition that advocates for changing the way Wisconsin 's political campaigns are financed through research, education and public outreach programs.