Wisconsin-Report

Democracy, “Governor Scott Walker seeks to ‘radically’ overhaul Wisconsin’s education system using several pieces of
American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) model legislation, and to do it through the budget process, meaning this
privatization agenda could be enacted with minimal public discussion or debate.” [Center for Media and Democracy, 5/23/13]
Associated Press: “Anti-Labor Proposals That Originated With The Koch-Brothers Backed American Legislative
Exchange Council” Were Left In The Wisconsin Budget. According to the Associated Press, “However, anti-labor
proposals that originated with the Koch-brothers backed American Legislative Exchange Council and measures to boost the
fossil-fuel industry by scaling back environmental protections and conservation efforts, were left in tact [sic] by GOP
lawmakers.” [Associated Press via Wisconsin Gazette, 7/10/15]
Wisconsin’s Right-To-Work Legislation Was A Word-For-Word Copy Of ALEC’s Bill
Center For Media And Democracy: In 2015, Wisconsin “Became The 25th Right-To-Work State With The Passage
Of A Word-For-Word Copy Of ALEC’s Bill.” According to the Center for Media and Democracy’, “Cookie-cutter ALEC
right-to-work bills popped up in several states this year. In March, Wisconsin became the 25th right-to-work state with the
passage of a word-for-word copy of ALEC’s bill. ALEC right-to-work bills were proposed in New Hampshire, Missouri, New
Mexico, and West Virginia, while Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner (R) simply issued an executive order to establish right-to-work
for public sector workers and filed a lawsuit seeking to have ‘fare share’ fees declared unconstitutional.” [Center for Media and
Democracy, 6/7/15]
• CMD General Counsel Brendan Fischer: Wisconsin’s Right-To-Work Proposal Was “Word-For-Word From
The… Koch-ALEC Playbook And ALEC Has Been Fighting To Lower Worker’s Wages For Decades.”
According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, “The so-called right to work proposal moving ahead rapidly in the state
Legislature shares some some [sic] key passages with a measure drafted by the American Legislative Exchange Council.
The similarities were first pointed out by the Center for Media and Democracy, a liberal Madison group that has long
tracked the activities of ALEC. […] ‘This is not a new or bold or fresh idea. This is word-for-word from the
(conservative donor Charles and David) Koch-ALEC playbook and ALEC has been fighting to lower worker’s wages
for decades,’ said Brendan Fischer, general counsel for the Madison center.” [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 2/21/15]
The Koch-Backed Campaign Against Wisconsinites’ Access To Health Care
KOCH GROUPS ADVOCATED PROMINENT WISCONSIN REPUBLICANS’ PLANS
TO QUASH MEDICARE & MEDICAID
60 Plus Pushed Paul Ryan’s Plan To Privatize And Kill Medicare
60 Plus Press Release Headline: “New 60 Plus Ad Praises Paul Ryan Medicare Reforms…Conservative Seniors
Group Airs National Television Ad Supporting Republican Medicare Proposal” [60 Plus, 6/17/11]
60 Plus Spokesman Pat Boone Campaigned For Rep. Paul Ryan’s Medicare Plan, Which He Said “Would
Transform Medicare From A Fee-For-Service Health Coverage Provider To A Supplier Of Direct Checks To
Seniors.” According to the Atlantic, “Now, Boone is campaigning for Rep. Paul Ryan’s (R-Wisc.) Medicare plan, which would
transform Medicare from a fee-for-service health coverage provider to a supplier of direct checks to seniors. Under Ryan’s
plan, seniors would get ‘premium support’ payments to buy private insurance from a list of government-approved plans.
‘Harry Reid and his cohorts are not fooling seniors with the ‘Medi-scare’ tactics. Rep. Ryan’s budget will not end Medicare.
Instead, it will preserve the offerings of this program for our children and grandchildren,’ Boone wrote in a 60 Plus press
release Friday morning.” [The Atlantic, 5/27/11]
The Atlantic: Boone Glossed Over The Fact That Ryan’s Plan Would Significantly Reduce Medicare-Spending
Growth, Devoting 25% Less Taxpayer Money To Medicare And Medicaid Combined In 2022 Leading To A Typical
65-Year-Old Having To Pay 34% More For Benefits. According to the Atlantic, “Boone glossed over the fact that Ryan’s
plan would entail cuts from Medicare, too. Obama’s Affordable Care Act reduces the projected growth of future Medicare
spending by $500 billion over the next 10 years, but Ryan’s plan would also significantly reduce Medicare-spending growth.
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