1. Two Supreme Court decisions strike blows at democracy

2. Senate Committee hears testimony about the Clean Energy Jobs bill

3. Wisconsin Court of Appeals District 4 - Spring Primary Voter Guide is available

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled last Thursday that corporations and unions may spend freely from their treasuries to influence elections. League of Women Voters of the United States president Mary Wilson called the Citizens United v. FEC decision a "tragic mistake" and "constitutionally irresponsible." Read her full statement here.

Later on Thursday, the Wisconsin Supreme Court finalized adoption of recusal rules first proposed by Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce and Wisconsin Realtors Association. The version finally adopted included a new clause added by Justice David Prosser that allows judicial campaign committees to solicit contributions from individuals who may be involved in a court proceeding in which the candidate is likely to preside should he/she be elected. The Court voted 4-3 to adopt Justice Prosser's revision. Watch or listen to the justices' discussion here (01.21.10 State Supreme Court Open Administrative Conference and Rules Hearing, Part 4). The LWVWI executive director was quoted in a Wall Street Journal article about recusal rules in state courts. Also read Mike McCabe's Big Money Blog about what the ruling does and does not do, as well as what can be done to fight back.

A Special Senate Committee held an informational hearing about the new Clean Energy Jobs bill, AB 649 and SB 450, which provides for most of the recommendations of the Governor's Global Warming Task Force. To watch or listen to the briefing, go to the Wisconsin Eye archives. Public hearings are scheduled, with Senate committee hearings on January 27, February 10 and February 11; Assembly committee hearings are scheduled for February 2 and February 15.  All of the public hearings begin at 10:00AM. See the Legislature's committee calendar here.

There will be a Primary Election on February 16 for Wisconsin Court of Appeals, District 4. Get information and the Candidates' Answers to key questions here.