skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Thursday, September 19, 2024

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

U.S. gender wage gap grows for first time in a decade; Trump has embraced NC's Mark Robinson, calling him 'Martin Luther King on steroids'; Volunteers sought as early voting kicks off in MN; Women's political contributions in congressional races fall short of men's.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Rising threats of political violence, a Federal Reserve rate cut, crypto industry campaign contributions and reproductive rights are shaping today's political landscape.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

A USDA report shows a widening gap in rural versus urban health, a North Carolina county remains divided over a LGBTQ library display, and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz' policies are spotlighted after his elevation to the Democratic presidential ticket.

WI Watchdog: Walker Recall Ads Will Go Into the Gutter

play audio
Play

Monday, November 14, 2011   

MADISON, Wis. - On Tuesday, a group called United Wisconsin will file paperwork to begin getting the 540,208 signatures needed to force a recall election against Republican Gov. Scott Walker. A Walker supporter filed earlier this month, a move which allowed Walker to begin collecting unlimited funds to fight the recall.

How much money will be collected and spent? Mike McCabe, executive director of the non-partisan Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, says it will likely exceed the amount collected this summer during the legislative recalls, which involved only one-third of the state.

"Every voter will be involved, and so it's hard to imagine that it won't be more than the $44 million seen this summer. How much more? That would take a crystal ball better than any I've got."

McCabe says some estimates have ranged as high as a $100 million. He adds that citizens can expect to see some pretty nasty advertising over the airwaves.

"I don't think there's any question that this election will get ugly, and people are going to be just about hiding out from their televisions by the time election day comes. I expect this one will go down into the gutter. That just seems to be the pattern, and emotions are running very high on both sides."

After recall backers file their paperwork, they will have 60 days to gather the half-million-plus signatures necessary to trigger the election.

McCabe says one of the most troubling aspects of the recall is that Walker will be able to raise unlimited funds to fight the effort to unseat him.

"If campaign contribution limits are in place for regular elections to try to protect against undo special interest influence and prevent political corruption, they ought to be in place for recall elections, as well. The need for those limits is just as great."

There have only been two successful gubernatorial recall elections in the nation's history: in 1921 in North Dakota and in 2003 in California. Many names have been mentioned as potential candidates to run against Walker, but no one has officially announced his or her candidacy.





get more stories like this via email

more stories
Recipients of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Grant can now access funding to drive financing for thousands of climate-focused and clean energy initiatives. (bilanol/Adobe Stock)

Environment

play sound

Michigan's most vulnerable communities are receiving federal funding to fight the devastating effects of climate change. It's part of the $27 billion …


Health and Wellness

play sound

September is Health Literacy Month, and a Denver-based group is working to help health professionals break a persistent pattern of discrimination …

Environment

play sound

A new report contends fossil fuel funding has biased Columbia University's climate research. The report, by two Columbia students, shows the …


Alabama releases roughly 220,279 men and 78,247 women from its prisons and jails each year. (Chad Robertson/Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

An Alabama woman is on a mission to help people who've been incarcerated for decades successfully transition back into society. The mission to …

Health and Wellness

play sound

In North Carolina, the gap between Medicaid reimbursement rates and the actual cost of dental care has reached a crisis point, impacting both …

So far in 2024, community health centers in North Dakota have screened 11,580 patients for food insecurity. Through those screenings, more than three thousand box meals have been distributed. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

September is Hunger Action Month. In North Dakota, it isn't just food banks trying to help underserved populations get nutritious items. Health …

Environment

play sound

Marine biologists conducting deep dives near five California islands are collecting data they hope will strengthen the case for ending gillnet fishing…

Environment

play sound

Researchers at Iowa State University are taking aim at the huge amount of energy used by data centers, now and in the future. They have developed a …

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021