Assembly rule adopted banning fundraising during budget deliberations
The Assembly Committee on Organization this morning unanimously approved a ban on fundraising during budget negotiations after some initial GOP objections.
Rep. Mark Gottlieb, R-Port Washington, questioned whether the bill allows the speaker to exceed his authority by regulating the conduct of members outside the chamber.
Assembly Speaker Mike Sheridan, D-Janesville, countered that the bill mirrors a rule currently in place that bans contributions from PACs in the first year of a session.
Assembly Minority Leader Jeff Fitzgerald, R-Horicon, said Gottlieb has a bill that extends the fundraising ban to the entire Legislature and the governor. He suggested that the Assembly pass that bill "so everyone is in the same boat."
Sheridan said it is his intention to take up Gottlieb's bill.
