Wisconsin-Report

Republican from Kentucky who is considered a possible presidential contender in 2016, will be in Milwaukee April 23 for a
roundtable on school choice. His visit is sponsored by the conservative The LIBRE Initiative and Hispanics for School
Choice, a local organization that favors the expansion of school choice. The roundtable will take place at St. Anthony's Middle
School, 2156 S. 4th St. It will be from 10:30 a.m. to noon.” [Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, 4/15/14]
LIBRE HAS BEEN CITED AS A TEXTBOOK EXAMPLE OF ASTROTURFING
ALMOST ENTIRELY FUNDED BY THE KOCH BROTHERS
Center For Media And Democracy: “The LIBRE Initiative Is…A Textbook Example Of Astroturfing Almost
Entirely Funded By The Koch Brothers’ Secret Bank Freedom Partners.” According to the Center for Media and
Democracy’s PR Watch, “Described as a “grassroots organization,” the LIBRE Initiative is, in fact, a textbook example of
astroturfing almost entirely funded by the Koch brothers’ secret bank Freedom Partners. The increased funding is part of a
wider strategy to boost the network’s front groups, which was unveiled at the biannual donors summit at the Ritz Carlton in
the Palm Springs desert on January 25.” [Center for Media and Democracy PR Watch, 2/10/15]
• The LIBRE Initiative Received At Least $9.3 Million From Freedom Partners. According to its Form 990
filings with the IRS, Freedom Partners Chamber of Commerce gave $3,112,000 in grant money to the Libre Initiative
Trust for the 2011 calendar year from November 2011 through October 2012, $3,300,000 from November 2012 20
through October 2013 and $2,900,000 in the last two months of 2013. [2011 Form 990, CitizenAudit, 10/3/13; 2012
Form 990, CitizenAudit, 9/23/14; 2013 Form 990, CitizenAudit, 11/21/14]
By 2014 LIBRE, Which Was A “Piece Of The Koch Brothers' Sprawling And Effective Network Of Conservative
Groups,” Had Operations In Eight States. According to the Associated Press, “Libre now has operations in eight states in
the hope Hispanics will repay conservatives with their votes. Organizers already have 3,000 Texas volunteers, and similar
undertakings in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Nevada, New Mexico and Virginia. Libre is but one piece of the Koch
brothers' sprawling and effective network of conservative groups. Alongside the grassroots-focused Americans for Prosperity
and the youth-oriented Generation Opportunity, Libre began courting Hispanic voters in 2011.” [Associated Press, 8/11/14]
Wisconsin Gazette: LIBRE Admitted That Its Message “Aligns More With Republicans” And “With The Principles
And Ideas Of Charles And David Koch” Than The Needs Of Latinos. According to the Wisconsin Gazette, “Libre has
admitted that its message ‘aligns more with Republicans’ and ‘with the principles and ideas of Charles and David Koch’ than
the needs of Latinos.” [Wisconsin Gazette, 12/10/15]
• Voces De La Frontera Executive Director Christine Neumann-Ortiz: Some LIBRE Commercials Have
Gone So Far As To Claim “That Democrats Want To Abort Latino Babies.” According to the Wisconsin
Gazette, “Using Spanish-language radio and other targeted media, Libre stresses GOP message points that are framed
to resonate with Latino voters, such as the party’s strong opposition to abortion and it’s [sic] embrace of school
choice. Some commercials aired by the group have gone so far as to claim that Democrats want to abort Latino
babies, according to Christine Neumann-Ortiz, executive director of the Milwaukee-based immigrant rights group
Voces de la Frontera.” [Wisconsin Gazette, 12/10/15]
State Policy Network
STATE POLICY NETWORK’S WISCONSIN MEMBERS ARE THE MACIVER
INSTITUTE AND THE WISCONSIN POLICY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
State Policy Network’s Wisconsin Members Are The MacIver Institute And The Wisconsin Policy Research
Institute. According to the State Policy Network’s member directory, its Wisconsin members are the MacIver Institute for
Public Policy and the Wisconsin Policy Research Institute. [SPN.org, viewed 3/14/14]
• State Policy Network Members’ Fundraising Included “Major” Koch Money. According to the Huffington
Post, “In 2011, the State Policy Network and its affiliates reported raising a combined $83.2 million, according to the
Center for Media and Democracy. While donors to the groups are not required to be disclosed, a 2010 document
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