GOP leadership coordinates attacks on Dem school funding
Assembly Speaker Mike Huebsch is coordinating an effort to attack Democrats for inaction on AB 506 and 507, which the chamber passed last week to address funding for K-12 schools and local government aids, according to an e-mail obtained by WisPolitics.
In an e-mail to members, Huebsch wrote, "The iron is hot, and it's time to strike."
Each day this week, the e-mail says, leadership offices will distribute to members sample press releases, with the letterhead of "Joe Schmoe" and other "information to hammer our message home ahead of the deadline."
One such sample release is titled "Schmoe calls on Senate to pass school funding," with the subhead, "Rep. Joe Schmoe urges Senator Schmoron to stand up for taxpayers and pass legislation to prevent a $600 million property tax hike."
Today, two releases from Republican Assembly members were sent to the media, one from four southeastern Wisconsin lawmakers, another from three legislators representing the Fox Valley. Similar coordinated releases were sent out yesterday.
*See the email from Huebsch:
http://www.wispolitics.com/1006/070926HuebschEmail.pdf
*See the sample press release:
http://www.wispolitics.com/1006/070926SchmoePR.pdf
Huebsch spokesman John Murray said the memos are sent out regularly and also posted on the GOP Assembly's Intranet site.
"It's really given more towards newer members to help them put out accurate and timely press information," said Murray.
Members are encouraged to use facts and the framework of the mock releases, but not to replicate them verbatim, Murray said.
"They should be used to craft a district-specific message," Murray said.
See the press releases sent by Republican legislators:
*Reps. Kramer, Kleefisch, Newcomer, Zipperer: Waukesha legislators call for Senate, Governor to fund schools, local government
http://www.wispolitics.com/index.iml?Article=105950
*Reps. Owens, Roth and Kaufert: Urge the Senate Democrats to act
http://www.wispolitics.com/index.iml?Article=105997
*Reps. Gottlieb, Pridemore, Honadel, Stone: Time is running out to stop $600 million tax increase
http://www.wispolitics.com/index.iml?Article=105861
*Reps. Vos, Lothian, Gunderson, Nass, Kerkman: Southeastern Wisconsin legislators call on Senate to pass school funding
http://www.wispolitics.com/index.iml?Article=105877
