The Wisconsin Government Accountability Board Packs Up

On December 16, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker signed Assembly Bill 388, which eliminates the nonpartisan Government Accountability Board as of June 30, 2016, and replaces it with two partisan committees to oversee state and local elections and rule on ethics complaints. In its eight year history, the G.A.B. oversaw a turbulent period in Wisconsin, including a series of recall elections, and earned high marks from for its judgement and nonpartisanship from government watchdogs nationwide. In September of 2014 Republican state legislators filed suit against the G.A.B. over a ballot they felt favored Democrats. At the time, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos vowed that the agency’s quote days were numbered unquote. Two years later, Vos made good on his promise with AB 388. The agency, professional as always, is now working on the transition to the new commissions. Kevin Kennedy, Government Accountability Board Director and General Counsel, joins host Brian Standing by phone.