Big money and special interests have dismantled many things in Wisconsin. With the changes in our justice system we may never have fairness and clean government again.
According to the Alliance for Justice report:
As he ramps up for a potential presidential run in 2016, Walker is using his executive budget to take control of judicial salaries; disband the independent council that advises all branches of state government on court practice and procedure; and weaken the Wisconsin Judicial Commission, the state body charged with investigating judicial ethics violations and recommending discipline. In the state legislature, Republicans are pushing measures that would directly undermine the will of Wisconsin voters who elected the current supreme court.
The WI Supreme Court has, at minimum, three justices that have documented ethical issues: Prosser, Gableman and Ziegler. If not for sticking together, they would have suffered the consequences. They have since lowered the bar for things like recusal. Now there are even more sinister attacks on our judicial protections. The article by The Alliance for Justice contains some frightening changes to how our judicial system works that most people in Wisconsin haven't heard of yet.
AFJ decries Republican “power grab” of Wisconsin judiciary
In addition, the legislature is attempting to limit the scope of John Doe investigations. This would be very helpful to Gov Walker and the big money interests that support him -- the same people the John Doe II investigation by 5 counties’ District Attorneys are targeting. Now it is in the hands of the WI Supreme Court which has ethically challenged jurists in control.
That probe investigated possible illegal coordination between Walker's campaign and conservative groups that supported his election efforts. It was put on hold more than a year ago, pending a state Supreme Court ruling on whether or not it can continue.
Read more:
Wisconsin lawmakers consider bill that would curb John Doe investigations of political misconduct
The John Doe law dates to before Wisconsin's statehood, when it was still a territory. It gives prosecutors the ability to compel people to produce documents and give testimony. The investigations are often conducted in secret, with targets and witnesses barred from telling anyone but their attorneys about the probes.
Read more:
Bill would limit John Doe probes into political crimes