The facts about Congressman Green's campaign finance violations

[a press release from Gov. Jim Doyle's deputy press secretary...]

The Facts About Congressman Green’s Campaign Finance Violations
Law Prohibiting the Use of Funds From Unregistered PACs Has Been on the Books Since 1974

MADISON – Congressman Mark Green continues to say that Wisconsin’s campaign finance laws don’t apply to him.

“It takes a special kind of arrogance for Congressman Green to say that the only campaign finance laws he has to follow are the ones that he likes,” said Anson Kaye, Communications Director for the Doyle campaign. “That may work in Washington, but it doesn’t fly here in Wisconsin.”

Here are the facts:

FACT: "The State Elections Board today told Republican gubernatorial candidate U.S. Rep. Mark Green to return $467,844 in donations from political action committees (PACs) not registered in Wisconsin." [Source: MJS, 8/30/06]
FACT: The requirement that candidates for state office raise money only from PACs registered in the state has been on the books since 1974. [Source: Legislative Reference Bureau, Brief 01-9, March 2001]
FACT: Congressman Green’s transfer from his federal Congressional campaign account included $468,000 in money from federal PACs that have never registered to operate in Wisconsin as required by Wisconsin state law. [Source: Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, 8-22-06]
FACT: According to the Wisconsin State Elections Board manual for PACs, Political Action Committees (PACs) that are active in “affecting the nomination process, the election or defeat of a clearly identified candidate” must register in Wisconsin. “PACs are required to register in Wisconsin whether or not the committee is a resident committee or an out-of-state organization.” [Source: State Elections Board Manual for Political Action Committees, Referendum Groups, and Corporations, August 1995]
FACT: "One of the votes by the board requires Green's campaign to also divest itself of all political action committee donations that exceed $485,000, the amount set by state law that limits how much candidates for governor can get from PACs." [Source: MJS, 8/30/06]
FACT: The limit on the amount of PAC money that one candidate can receive has been on the books since 1987. [Source: Wisconsin Democracy Campaign Release, 10/17/02]
FACT: Congressman Green’s transfer, and the money he has raised since the transfer was made, puts him $182,545 over the legal limit in state law for PAC contributions. [Source: Wisconsin Democracy Campaign Release, 7/24/06]
FACT: According to the State Elections Board Campaign Fund Manual, “the receipt of (PAC) contributions in excess of the cumulative limits is a serious violation of campaign finance law, and may result in a fine for the committee. In addition, excess contributions must be returned either to the contributor or the WECF.” [Source: Wisconsin Election Campaign Fund Manual, May 1996]
FACT: According to the independent, non-partisan Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, Congressman Green’s PAC money shenanigans will allow him to raise upwards of “$1 million in PAC money from special interest groups” – almost $500,000 more than what is allowed under state law for PAC limits for candidates. [Source: WDC Release, 7/24/06]

“The non-partisan Wisconsin Democracy Campaign brought this complaint because they had serious concerns about Congressman Green’s efforts to flout the state’s campaign finance laws,” Kaye said. “The bi-partisan State Elections Board found that Congressman Green tried to take in almost $500,000 in special interest money that no one else in the state can take. It’s time for Congressman Green to step up, put his personal ambitions aside, and follow the law, just like any other ordinary Wisconsinite.”

Paid for by Doyle for Wisconsin, Karin Gale, Treasurer