WAOW - Newsline 9, Wausau News, Weather, SportsPanel OKs public financing of court elections
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MADISON (AP) -- Wisconsin Supreme Court campaigns would be publicly funded under a bill approved by the Legislature's budget committee on Tuesday.
Supporters say the so-called "impartial justice" proposal will lessen the impact of deep-pocketed private interests in Supreme Court campaigns. Opponents argue that the idea will stifle debate and substitute public money to make up the difference.
The proposal passed the committee 11-4 with Democrats in favor and Republicans against. The Democratic-controlled Legislature is expected to pass it Thursday.
Under the proposal, Supreme Court elections would be paid for through a voluntary income tax checkoff and from the general fund.
It's estimated that each Supreme Court election could cost taxpayers about $3.5 million.
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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