WAOW - Newsline 9, Wausau News, Weather, SportsWMC says justices shouldn't have to step aside
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Associated Press - October 27, 2009 11:15 AM ET
MADISON, Wis. (AP) - A business group that spent millions helping elect two Wisconsin Supreme Court justices is proposing a rule that would allow them to hear its cases.
The court will consider the rule proposed by Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce on Wednesday. Under its proposal, judges would not be required to step aside from cases involving groups and individuals no matter how much they spent to help them get elected.
The rule would have ramifications for two justices, Annette Ziegler and Michael Gableman, that were backed by WMC in their elections in 2007 and 2008. The Wisconsin Democracy Campaign says WMC spent an estimated $4 million in those two races combined.
WMC argues its rule would prevent individuals and groups from being penalized for free speech about candidates and public policy.
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